Name: Joan Marie Larkin
Born: 22nd September, 1958 (Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA)
Profile: She is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress. She is best known for her work with "Joan Jett & the Blackhearts" including their hit cover 'I Love Rock 'n Roll' which was #1 on the Billboard charts in 1982.
History: In her teens, Jett would sneak out at night to go to concerts with friends. She got her first guitar for Christmas from her father at the age of 13 (after she heard songs like 'Bang a Gong' and 'All Right Now' in the radio) and she mostly spent time after that writing songs. When her family moved to West Covina, LA, Jett took the opportunity to pursue her musical endeavors.
Jett is a founding member of "The Runaways" along with drummer Sandy West. Micki Steele, Jackie Fox, Lita Ford and Cherie Currie completed the line-up. While Currie initially fronted the band, Jett shared some lead vocals, played rhythm guitar and wrote or co-wrote a lot of the band's material along with Ford, West and Currie. The band recorded five LPs, with 'Live In Japan' becoming one of the biggest-selling imports in US and UK history.
While "The Runaways" were popular in Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada and South America, they could not garner the same level of success in the US. Altogether they produced five albums from 1975 until they disbanded in spring of 1979.
In 1979, Jett launched a solo career, first in England, then New York and finally back in Los Angeles, where she met producer Kenny Laguna. Laguna helped Jett put together a self-titled album that was rejected by more than 20 major record labels. Undeterred, Jett started Blackheart Records and thus became the first woman to own her own label.
Jett formed her next band, the "Blackhearts", with the help of Laguna. The group played several gigs in local California venues before hitting the road on a European tour, including the Netherlands and the Marqee in London. Upon return to US, the group developed quite a following, particularly in New York. Laguna and Jett decided to press some albums and sold them out of the trunk of their cars after each concert. Soon, demand was overwhelming and it was time to find a new label.
Casablanca Records signed Jett and re-released her album as 'Bad Reputation'. "Joan Jett and the Blackhearts" continued to tour and record and released the album 'I Love Rock and Roll'. Jett had become a hot commodity, with several Top 40 hits and sold out shows with "The Police", "Queen" and "Aerosmith". In 1987, Jett was selected out to appear opposite Michael J. Fox in the movie, 'Light of Day', in which she received critical acclaim.
Her musical and songwriting approach is heavily influenced by the hard-edged, hard beat-driven rhythms common to many rock bands of her native Philadelphia, often featuring lyrics surrounding themes of lost love, criticisms of insincerity, the quest for authenticity, the struggles and resolutions of the American working class.
Influences: T-Rex, Free and Suzi Quatro
Axology: Gibson Les Paul
Signature song(s): Crimson and Clover and I Hate Myself for Loving You - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (I Love Rock 'n Roll, 1981)
Link(s):
http://greatesthits.joanjett.com (Official website)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdhonK8NMm8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euY1XFK1118&feature=player_embedded
"I grew up in a world that told girls they couldn't play Rock 'n Roll... girls have got balls. They're just a little higher up that's all" - Joan Jett
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