She’s part of a dwindling species, an unapologetic rock chick more focused on the tone of her guitar than the cut of her hair.
Joan Jett’s fierceness has been splayed across stages for 50 years, first with the all-girl glam-punk pioneers The Runaways and then through her own 40-plus years of solo stardom with her band, the Blackhearts.
Her ingrained fist pumpers – “Cherry Bomb,” “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” “Bad Reputation” and the cover song that changed her life, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” – were sonic wallpaper during MTV’s heyday and most still haven’t left pool hall jukeboxes.
Jett appreciates her legacy and the fans who express their loyalty and gratitude for her music.
“It’s medicine for the soul. I’m just blessed to be a conduit for it,” Jett says.
