Joan Jett is a renowned American rock musician celebrated as a singer, guitarist, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her career highlights include fronting Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and forming the Runaways, the band behind the hit "Cherry Bomb." She achieved mainstream success with her band's rendition of "I Love Rock 'n Roll," a Billboard chart-topper for seven weeks. Her musical repertoire boasts other popular tracks like "Bad Reputation," "Light of Day," and covers of classics such as "Crimson and Clover" and "Dirty Deeds."
Lee Jamie Sackett, later known as Lee Crystal, was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1956.
Joan Jett was born as Joan Marie Larkin on September 22, 1958, in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.
Some sources incorrectly listed Joan Jett's birth date as September 22, 1960.
The Dave Clark Five released their hit song "Bits and Pieces" in 1964.
In 1967, the Larkin family relocated to Rockville, Maryland, where Joan Jett continued her education at Randolph Junior High and Wheaton High School.
In July 2015, Jackie Fuchs (formerly Jackie Fox of The Runaways) alleged that Kim Fowley raped her on New Year's Eve 1975 at a party after a Runaways performance. Fuchs stated she was given Quaaludes and was raped while incapacitated, with Jett reportedly present but not intervening.
The Runaways, with Joan Jett, release their first album, marking the beginning of their career in 1975.
During a tour of England with the Runaways in 1976, Jett was introduced to the song "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" for the first time while watching the band Arrows perform it on their UK television series.
In 1977, Joan Jett acquired her first Gibson Melody Maker guitar from Eric Carmen after the breakup of the Raspberries. This white Gibson Melody Maker became her signature guitar, used in all her hits since then.
Despite achieving international recognition, The Runaways struggle to break through in the U.S. market and eventually decide to part ways in the spring of 1979.
Joan Jett begins to work on her solo career in England, recording tracks with Sex Pistols members Paul Cook and Steve Jones. This same year, she returns to Los Angeles and meets songwriter-producer Kenny Laguna, marking the start of a long-lasting professional partnership.
Joan Jett forms her band, the Blackhearts, in 1979. They begin performing live, honing their skills at venues like the Golden Bear and the Whisky a Go Go, before heading to Europe for their first international tour.
Joan Jett's self-titled debut solo album is released in Europe on May 17, 1980, through Ariola Records.
Throughout 1980, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts tour rigorously across the United States, gradually building a devoted following. Their perseverance pays off when they secure a record deal with Neil Bogart's Boardwalk Records. The label then re-releases Jett's debut album under the title "Bad Reputation."
In 1981, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' concert at the Palladium in New York City was considered a pivotal moment in their career, garnering critical acclaim and solidifying their New York fanbase.
In 1981, Joan Jett made her first film appearance in the live concert film Urgh! A Music War, performing "Bad Reputation" with the Blackhearts at the Ritz in New York City.
In 1982, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts released "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," which became a massive hit, holding the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' rendition of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" achieves the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks in 1982.
In 1983, musical satirist "Weird Al" Yankovic released a parody of Joan Jett's "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" entitled "I Love Rocky Road", humorously swapping the singer's passion for rock music with a love for ice cream.
Joan Jett released her album titled "Album" in 1983.
Footage filmed for an abandoned project about the Runaways is incorporated into a separate underground film titled "Du-beat-eo," which was not released for commercial distribution, in 1984.
Joan Jett released her album "Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth" in 1984.
In 1987, Joan Jett made her acting debut, co-starring with Gena Rowlands and Michael J. Fox in the Paul Schrader film Light of Day. She also appeared in independent films such as The Sweet Life and Boogie Boy.
Jett collaborated with Alice Cooper in 1989, co-writing the song "House of Fire" for Cooper's album "Trash".
Jett's song "Long Live the Night," co-written with Randy Cantor and Michael Caruso, was featured on the soundtrack of the film "Days of Thunder" in 1990.
Jett released "Notorious" in 1991, marking her last album with Sony/CBS before moving to Warner Bros.
In 1992, Joan Jett guest-starred in "Free Fall", a first-season episode of TV's Highlander: The Series.
Jett took on the role of producer for the band Circus Lupus in 1992.
Jett and Laguna released "Flashback," a compilation album featuring various songs, under their own label, Blackheart Records, in 1993.
Jett's early version of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," recorded with Paul Cook and Steve Jones, is included on the compilation album "Flashback" released in 1993.
Mia Zapata, the lead singer of the Gits, was tragically murdered in 1993.
In 1994, Jett produced for Bikini Kill again, this time also contributing vocals and instrumentals to their "New Radio +2" EP.
In 1994, Joan Jett gave an interview to Out magazine where she addressed rumors about her sexuality, stating, "I'm not saying no, I'm not saying yes, I'm saying believe what you want. Assume away—go ahead."
The Blackhearts released the album "Pure and Simple" in 1994, featuring collaborations with artists like Kat Bjelland, Donita Sparks, and Kathleen Hanna.
In 1997, Joan Jett appeared on the sitcom Ellen in the episode "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah", performing the title song.
Jett participated in the Iggy Pop tribute album, "We Will Fall: The Iggy Pop Tribute," performing a cover of "Wild One."
Jett lent her vocals to Marky Ramone and the Intruders' album "The Answer to Your Problems?" and Peaches' album "Impeach My Bush."
In 1999, the TV series Freaks and Geeks used Joan Jett's song "Bad Reputation" as its opening theme.
In 1999, Joan Jett's name appeared in the lyrics of the Le Tigre song "Hot Topic".
From 2000 to 2003, Joan Jett hosted a showcase of new film and video shorts, Independent Eye, for Maryland Public Television.
In 2000, Joan Jett appeared in the Broadway production of The Rocky Horror Show playing the role of Columbia. That same year, she appeared on Walker, Texas Ranger as an ex-CIA agent turned assassin.
October 2001 marked the first time Joan Jett shared a stage with Bruce Springsteen at a 9/11 benefit concert, performing "Light of Day" together.
In 2002, Joan Jett appeared in the film By Hook or by Crook, playing the role of News Interviewee.
From 2000 to 2003, Joan Jett hosted a showcase of new film and video shorts, Independent Eye, for Maryland Public Television.
In 2004, Jesus Mezquia was convicted of Mia Zapata's murder after a lengthy investigation.
In 2004, Joan Jett narrated a short film titled Godly Boyish, which is about two teenagers who share suicidal fantasies.
Jett and Laguna produced the album "No Apologies" by the band the Eyeliners in 2004, with Jett also making a guest appearance on the track "Destroy" and its music video.
Jett showed support for Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign due to his stance against the Iraq War.
Blackheart Records, Jett's label, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a sold-out concert at Webster Hall in Manhattan in 2005.
Jett and Laguna signed the punk band the Vacancies and began hosting "Joan Jett's Radio Revolution" on Sirius Satellite Radio in 2005.
Jett released her album "Sinner" in June 2006 on Blackheart Records, supporting it with a tour that included appearances at the Warped Tour and shows with Eagles of Death Metal.
In 2006, Jett's song "I Hate Myself for Loving You" was chosen as the theme song for Sunday Night Football NFL games, with some lyrical alterations.
In 2006, Joan Jett responded to an interviewer asking when she had "come out" as a lesbian by saying, "I never made any kind of statement about my personal life on any level. I never made any proclamations. So I don't know where people are getting that from."
From 2006 onward, a reworked version of Jett's song "I Hate Myself for Loving You" was adopted as the theme music for NBC Sunday Night Football, retitled "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night."
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts headlined the Freedom Fourth celebration in Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 4, 2007.
In November 2007, Jett and the Blackhearts toured the UK with Motörhead and Alice Cooper.
Jett and Laguna continued to work with the Vacancies, producing their third album, "Tantrum," in 2007.
Jett's song "I Hate Myself for Loving You" continued to be used as the Sunday Night Football theme song in 2007.
Jett performed "Bits and Pieces" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the Dave Clark Five on March 10, 2008.
Jett's radio show, "Joan Jett's Radio Revolution," which aired on Sirius Satellite Radio, was canceled in June 2008.
In 2008, Gibson released the "Joan Jett Signature Melody Maker". The guitar features a burstbucker 3 humbucking pickup, an ebony fretboard, and a double-cutaway body in white with a black vinyl pickguard. It also includes a kill switch instead of a pickup selector and retails for $839.
In 2008, Joan Jett made a cameo appearance in Darren Lynn Bousman's rock opera film Repo! The Genetic Opera as the guitarist in Shilo's room during the piece "Seventeen". Additionally, she appeared in the Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Reunion" as a rock-and-roll talk show host who is murdered.
Mattel released a Joan Jett Barbie doll on November 19, 2009, with Jett's approval.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts performed at the Falls Music & Arts Festival in Australia, which ran from December 29th to January 1st, 2010.
On January 24, 2010, the film "The Runaways," which Jett executive produced, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, starring Kristen Stewart as Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie, chronicles the band's career.
March 2010 saw the release of Joan Jett's Greatest Hits album, a 2-LP/CD set featuring four re-recorded songs, alongside a hardcover biography covering her career.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts joined Green Day's UK tour as an opening act in June 2010, alongside other artists like Frank Turner and Paramore.
The band continued their role as an opening act in September 2010, this time for Aerosmith's Canadian tour.
In 2010, Gibson introduced a "Blackheart" version of the Joan Jett Signature Melody Maker. It has the same specifications but is finished in black with red and pearl heart inlays.
A biographical film titled "The Runaways," chronicling the rise and fall of Joan Jett's band, premieres in 2010. The film features actress Kristen Stewart portraying Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as bandmate Cherie Currie.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts released their album "Unvarnished" on September 30, 2013, which reached the Billboard Top 50. The album included personal songs about the death of her parents. This same year, August 1st was declared Joan Jett day in West Hollywood and Jett was named West Hollywood's Rock Legend.
On November 5, 2013, former Blackhearts drummer Lee Crystal passed away from complications related to multiple sclerosis.
In April 2014, Jett performed with the surviving members of Nirvana for their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This same month, she became the first woman to win the Golden God Award.
Jett received the AP Icon Award at the first-ever Alternative Press Music Awards on April 24, 2014.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts delivered a performance at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, following a baseball game on July 12, 2014.
On October 18, 2014, Joan Jett played Betsy Neal in the film Big Driver, which is based on Stephen King's novella of the same name and premiered on Lifetime.
Jett performed the U.S. national anthem at a basketball game between the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls on October 29, 2014.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts kicked off their role as the opening act for The Who's "The Who Hits 50!" North American tour in Tampa, Florida on April 15, 2015.
On July 4, 2015, the band joined the Foo Fighters for their 20th-anniversary show held at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
In July 2015, Jackie Fuchs (formerly Jackie Fox of The Runaways) alleged that Kim Fowley raped her on New Year's Eve 1975 at a party after a Runaways performance. Fuchs stated she was given Quaaludes and was raped while incapacitated, with Jett reportedly present but not intervening.
In 2015, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts were recognized for their significant contributions to rock music with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The melody for "I Hate Myself for Loving You", retitled "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night", was used as the theme music for NBC Sunday Night Football from 2006 to 2015.
In 2015, Joan Jett responded to Jackie Fuchs's rape allegations, stating that if she had been aware of the incident, she would not have stood by. Jett expressed her wish for Fuchs's peace and healing despite not having spoken to her in decades.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
In 2016, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" was honored with an induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame, solidifying its place in music history.
In 2016, former Runaways guitarist Lita Ford revealed in her memoir that she temporarily quit the band because the other members were "all gay." She was particularly disturbed to learn that Cherie Currie was involved with Joan Jett.
Jett signed a significant music distribution deal with Sony Music's Legacy Recordings in September 2018, making her music catalogue available for streaming.
On September 28, 2018, a documentary about Joan Jett titled Bad Reputation was released in theaters and on streaming platforms.
In a 2018 interview with the New York Times, Joan Jett responded to an LGBT film festival's refusal to show her documentary because she was not "out". She highlighted her daily-worn necklace and tattoo with female symbols, questioning how much more she could declare.
Jett performed "Bad Reputation" live at WWE's WrestleMania 35 in April 2019 during Ronda Rousey's entrance.
In June 2019, Gibson announced and released a third signature guitar for Joan Jett, the wine-colored ES-339. The guitar was the result of two years of research and development with Jett.
In 2019, British blogger "Ladbaby" released a parody of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" titled "I Love Sausage Rolls", which became the Christmas No.1 in the UK.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts were scheduled to open for Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and Poison on "The Stadium Tour" in 2020; however, the tour was postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In celebration of the 40th anniversaries of Jett's albums "Bad Reputation" and "I Love Rock & Roll," Z2 Comics announced the release of two graphic novels.
"The Stadium Tour" was once again postponed in May 2021, this time to the summer of 2022, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Jett embarked on a North American tour, concluding on September 28, 2021, at the Paramount in Huntington, NY.
The two graphic novels, "Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - 40x40: Bad Reputation/I Love Rock 'n' Roll," were released in November 2021.
March 25, 2022, marked the release of "Changeup," the first-ever acoustic album by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, featuring acoustic versions of hits like "Bad Reputation" and "Crimson and Clover."
"The Stadium Tour" was rescheduled to take place in the summer of 2022.
PETA and Joan Jett collaborated with a Los Angeles pizza shop to create a limited-edition (Black)Heart-Shaped Pizza for Valentine's Day 2022.
The band released a new six-song EP titled "Mindsets" on June 2, 2023, their first release of new music in a decade.
Jett contributed guitar work to a re-release of Mark Knopfler's "Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero" in 2024, supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust.