Joan Jett

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Lore & Background

Joan Jett met songwriter and producer Kenny Laguna in 1979 while fulfilling an obligation of the Runaways to complete a film based on the band's career. They became friends and decided to work together, and Jett relocated to Long Beach, New York, where Laguna was based. After collaborating on Jett's self-titled solo debut, which was released independently on Blackheart Records after being rejected by 23 major labels, Jett formed the Blackhearts with Laguna's assistance. She placed an ad in the LA Weekly stating that she was 'looking for three good men'. Gary Ryan, born Gary Moss, adopted his stage name upon joining the Blackhearts in 1979, in part to cover up that he was only 15 at the time. The original Blackhearts lineup played several gigs at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, California, and the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood before embarking on their first European tour. Laguna fired drummer Danny 'Furious' O'Brien at the end of the tour, and Lee Crystal became the new drummer. A spring 1981 concert at the Palladium in New York City was described by music journalists as a career-defining performance. The first single from the album I Love Rock 'n Roll was the title track, a cover of Arrows' 1975 single, which was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in a row. Jett released Album (1983) and Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth (1984). A string of Top 40 hits followed, as well as sellout tours with the Police, Queen, and Aerosmith. In 1987, Ryan and Crystal left the Blackhearts and were soon replaced by Thommy Price and Kasim Sulton. Jett's release Up Your Alley went multi-platinum and contains the single 'I Hate Myself for Loving You', which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2015, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Reader's Guide

Joan Jett's significance lies in her pioneering role as a female rock musician who broke barriers. After the Runaways disbanded, her decision to start her own record label, Blackheart Records, after 23 major labels rejected her debut album demonstrated independence. Her cover of 'I Love Rock 'n Roll' became an anthem and remains one of the best-selling singles of its era. Jett's influence extends beyond music: she was among the first English-speaking rock acts to appear in Panama and the Dominican Republic. According to Jett and Laguna, a riot occurred during their visit to Panama and Manuel Noriega requested Jett spend the night with him at the Presidential Palace. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts became the first rock band to perform a series of shows at the Lunt–Fontanne Theatre on Broadway, breaking the record at the time for the fastest ticket sell-out. In 2015, she and the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her legacy endures through her music, her label, and her impact on subsequent generations of musicians.

Did You Know?

• Joan Jett placed an ad in the LA Weekly stating she was 'looking for three good men' to form the Blackhearts.
• Bassist Gary Ryan was only 15 when he joined the Blackhearts in 1979 and adopted his stage name to cover up his age.
• A spring 1981 concert at the Palladium in New York City was described by music journalists as a career-defining performance by Jett.
• Joan Jett and the Blackhearts became the first rock band to perform a series of shows at the Lunt–Fontanne Theatre on Broadway, breaking the record for the fastest ticket sell-out.
• According to Jett and Laguna, a riot occurred during their visit to Panama and Manuel Noriega requested Jett spend the night with him at the Presidential Palace.