May 2021 News

by ABC Music News



In 2004, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS released an Japan-only album called Naked, which featured a cover of Donovan's 1966 classic, "Season of the Witch." But the song has now hit digital platforms after being featured in a Netflix documentary series.

The song is heard in The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness, a true-crime docuseries about a journalist who tries to prove that David Berkowitz, the notorious "Son of Sam" killer who terrorized New York City in the '70s, didn't act alone and was, in fact, part of a Satanic cult that carried out the murders.

Donovan's original version of "Season of the Witch:" first appeared on his third album, 1966's Sunshine Superman. It's since been covered by artists ranging from Vanilla Fudge and Hole to Dr. John and Lana Del Rey.

by NOAH DOMINGUEZ



Z2 Comics announces a graphic novel anthology celebrating the 40th anniversary of JOAN JETT's first two albums, featuring an all-female creative team.

Z2 Comics has officially announced JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS - 40x40: Bad Reputation/I Love Rock n' Roll, a new graphic novel anthology celebrating the 40th anniversary of rock icon JOAN JETT's first two studio albums.

JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS - 40x40: Bad Reputation/I Love Rock n' Roll is currently expected to arrive around this November. The graphic novel anthology "pulls together a who's who list of female creators from the comic book and pop culture worlds, including famed artist Tara McPherson to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 20 classic tracks featured on Joan's landmark albums Bad Reputation and I Love Rock 'n Roll."

The anthology's all-female creative team includes such writers and artists as Amanda Deibert, Jazzlyn Stone, Evgenia Vereli, Jamaica Dyer, Wiktoria Radkiewicz, Cat Mihos, Annie Zaleski, Cat Staggs and Liana Kangas. The graphic novel also features a reversible cover. On the front is an I Love Rock 'n Roll-themed cover by the aforementioned McPherson, while on the back is a Bad Reputation-themed cover by Clara Tessier.

The softcover and hardcover editions of the anthology are slated to hit comic shops, bookstores and record stores in the fall. Additionally, various limited editions can be purchased exclusively through Z2's website. These include the Deluxe and Super Deluxe versions, which are "packaged with exclusive vinyl, art prints and much more," as well as the Platinum Edition, which is limited to 40 units and includes "a new Epiphone Guitar, gig bag and signed certificate of authenticity."

by ABC Music News



The full lineup for the 2021 edition of Milwaukee's 2021 Summerfest, which will take place this September, has been revealed.

Among the many veteran acts slated to perform headlining sets on the event's Festival Stage are REO Speedwagon, Styx, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS, ZZ Top, Night Ranger, Goo Goo Dolls, Sheila E., George Thorogood and the Destroyers, The Psychedelic Furs and Tower of Power.

In addition, ex-Talking Heads keyboardist Jerry Harrison will team up with one-time Talking Heads touring guitarist Adrian Belew and Brooklyn-based group Turkuaz for a set celebrating his old band's 1980 album Remain in Light.

Summerfest also will include a series of ticketed concerts at Milwaukee's American Family Insurance Amphitheater, among them a September 9 show featuring Sheryl Crow and country star Chris Stapleton. Guns N' Roses was among the artists originally slated to play one of these concerts before the festival was postponed from this summer until September because of the COVID-19 pandemic. An official date for GN'R's 2021 Summerfest gig currently is pending.

This year's Summerfest will be held September 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18. Visit Summerfest.com for the complete lineup and all ticket info.

by Molly Snyder




Toni Zirnhelt is Wisconsin's biggest JOAN JETT fan. She has currently seen her live 99 times and will move that number into the triple digits when Jett takes the stage at Summerfest in September.

When JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS perform at Summerfest on Thursday, Sept. 8, Milwaukee's Toni Zirnhelt will be there and celebrating her 100th live JOAN JETT concert.

Zirnhelt first saw Jett 40 years ago - when she was 12 in 1981 - at the Wisconsin State Fair.

"I snuck into the state fair with my best friend and while walking around I heard Joan warming up with her band. I didn't even know she was playing that night, but I loved the song 'I Love Rock & Roll' so we peeked through the fence to see and I was mesmerized. I'm pretty sure that's when I fell in love with her."

Zirnhelt immediately left the fair, ran six blocks home and begged her mother to buy her a $12 ticket.

"My mom being my mom said 'who the f*ck is JOAN JETT?'"

by 69 News




READING, Pa. - A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and a County Music group will both take the stage in Reading. JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS will perform at the Santander Performing Arts Center on November 21st. Little Big Town will hold concerts in October.

As the leader of the hard-rocking BLACKHEARTS, JOAN JETT has had eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics "Bad Reputation," "I Love Rock 'N' Roll," "I Hate Myself For Loving You," and "Crimson and Clover."

Tickets will go on-sale to the general public on Friday, May 14th 10:00 a.m.

Little Big Town will return to Reading for two intimate performances on October 8th and 9th.

The AMA Award-winning group first entered the music scene over 20 years ago with hit songs "Boondocks," "Bring It On Home," "Good As Gone" and the GRAMMY-nominated "Little White Church."

Tickets for these two shows will go on-sale to the general public on Friday, May 14th and 10:00 a.m.

Tickets for the Little Big Town and JOAN JETT and are available online at ticketmaster.com and in person at the box office at the Santander Arena.

The box office is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. and is located at 136 North 6th Street in Reading.

by ABC Music News



The full lineup for the 2021 edition of Milwaukee's 2021 Summerfest, which will take place this September, has been revealed.

Among the many veteran acts slated to perform headlining sets on the event's Festival Stage are REO Speedwagon, Styx, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS, ZZ Top, Night Ranger, Goo Goo Dolls, Sheila E., George Thorogood and the Destroyers, The Psychedelic Furs and Tower of Power.

In addition, ex-Talking Heads keyboardist Jerry Harrison will team up with one-time Talking Heads touring guitarist Adrian Belew and Brooklyn-based group Turkuaz for a set celebrating his old band's 1980 album Remain in Light.

Summerfest also will include a series of ticketed concerts at Milwaukee's American Family Insurance Amphitheater, among them a September 9 show featuring Sheryl Crow and country star Chris Stapleton. Guns N' Roses was among the artists originally slated to play one of these concerts before the festival was postponed from this summer until September because of the COVID-19 pandemic. An official date for GN'R's 2021 Summerfest gig currently is pending.

This year's Summerfest will be held September 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18. Visit Summerfest.com for the complete lineup and all ticket info.