Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Joan Jett, born Joan Marie Larkin on September 22, 1958, is an American rock singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. She is best known for her work as the frontwoman of her band Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and for her earlier success with the Runaways. Her musical style is a blend of hard rock and punk, with a rebellious and defiant attitude.

The Runaways

At fifteen, Jett co-founded the all-female rock band The Runaways with drummer Sandy West. The classic lineup also included Lita Ford on lead guitar, Jackie Fox on bass, and Cherie Currie on lead vocals. While the band found significant success in Japan, they failed to achieve the same level of fame in the United States. The Runaways released four studio albums before disbanding in 1979 due to musical differences.

Solo Career and the Blackhearts

Following the breakup of The Runaways, Jett pursued a solo career. She collaborated with producer Kenny Laguna, with whom she would form a long-lasting partnership. After being rejected by numerous record labels, Jett and Laguna founded Blackheart Records to release her self-titled debut album in 1980. The album was later re-released by Boardwalk Records as "Bad Reputation."

I Love Rock 'n' Roll

In 1981, Jett formed her backing band, the Blackhearts. The original lineup included guitarist Ricky Byrd, bassist Gary Ryan, and drummer Lee Crystal. Their first album together, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," released in 1981, became a massive commercial success. The title track, a cover of an Arrows song, spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982. Other hit singles from the album included "Crimson and Clover" and "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)."

Later Career

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts released several more albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including "Album" (1983), "Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth" (1984), and "Up Your Alley" (1988), which featured the hit single "I Hate Myself for Loving You." In the 1990s, Jett was cited as a major influence by the burgeoning riot grrrl movement, and she produced albums for bands like Bikini Kill and L7. The band has continued to tour and release music, including the albums "Unvarnished" (2013) and the acoustic album "Changeup" (2022).

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 2015, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The inducted members were Joan Jett, Kenny Laguna, Gary Ryan, Lee Crystal, and Ricky Byrd. The induction ceremony featured a performance by the band, joined by guest musicians.