Joan Jett

Profile Overview

Joan Jett (born Joan Marie Larkin; September 22, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, businesswoman, and actress. Often referred to as the "Godmother of Punk" and "Queen of Rock and Roll", she is regarded as a rock icon and an influential figure in popular rock music.
Jett co-founded and performed with rock band the Runaways from 1975 to 1979, with whom she released four studio albums. After their breakup, she recorded her debut solo studio album and brought it to several record labels with record producer Kenny Laguna, all of whom rejected her. As a result, she formed her own independent record label Blackheart Records with Laguna. Her 1980 eponymous debut studio album (later reissued as Bad Reputation) became her first entry onto the U.S. Billboard 200, bolstered by the attention its title track received.
Following the success of her debut solo studio album, Jett founded her backing band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Their first studio album, I Love Rock 'n Roll (1981), peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Its lead single, a cover version of Arrows's "I Love Rock 'n Roll", topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and many international charts; it became Jett's signature song and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016. The album also produced her second top ten single "Crimson and Clover", a cover version of Tommy James and the Shondells' song.
Jett has released eleven more studio albums, of which Album (1983) and Up Your Alley (1988) earned gold and platinum certifications, respectively. Her 1988 single "I Hate Myself for Loving You" netted Jett her third top ten single on the Hot 100 and her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Performance. Other Hot 100 singles include "Fake Friends", "Good Music", "Light of Day", "Little Liar", and cover versions of Gary Glitter's "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)", AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds", and Sly and the Family Stone's "Everyday People".
Jett was included on Rolling Stone's 2003 and 2023 lists of the greatest guitarists of all time. In 2015, she and the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Outside of music, she starred alongside Michael J. Fox in the musical drama film Light of Day (1987) and has appeared in several television series. She is also recognized for her activism and persona.