Joan Jett

Joan Jett
Jett smiling toward the camera
Jett in 2013
Background information
Birth nameJoan Marie Larkin
Born (1958-09-22) September 22, 1958 (age 66)
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, U.S.
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer-songwriter
  • record producer
  • actress
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1975–present
Member ofJoan Jett and the Blackhearts
Formerly of
Websitejoanjett.com

Joan Jett (born Joan Marie Larkin; September 22, 1958)[1] is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress, best known as the frontwoman of her band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. She also co-founded and performed with the Runaways, who recorded and released the hit song "Cherry Bomb". With the Blackhearts, her rendition of the song "I Love Rock 'n Roll" was the number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in 1982.[2] Her other notable songs include "Bad Reputation", "Light of Day", "I Hate Myself for Loving You" and her covers of "Crimson and Clover", "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)" and "Dirty Deeds".

Jett has a mezzo-soprano vocal range.[3] Three of her albums have been certified platinum or gold.[4][5][6] She has been described as "the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll". Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.[7]

  1. ^ Fricke, David (April 24, 2015). "Joan Jett: Built to Rock". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 21, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  2. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Joan Jett". All Music Guide via VH1. Archived from the original on October 30, 2002. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  3. ^ "Summer Celebration review: Joan Jett". MLive.com. June 26, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  4. ^ Martin, Bill (2002). Pro Secrets of Heavy Rock Singing. Sanctuary Publishing. p. 9. ISBN 978-1-86074-437-2.
  5. ^ "10 great feminist anthems". Time Out New York. Archived from the original on November 22, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  6. ^ "What the Press is Saying". Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  7. ^ McDonald, Soraya (December 16, 2014). "Joan Jett, Bill Withers, Lou Reed and Green Day among those to join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2018.