Joan Jett
Joan Jett is a singer, guitarist and songwriter who fronts the Blackhearts, co-founded Blackheart Records and helped bring women to the front of rock through the Runaways.
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Latest
Joan’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Overview
- Born
- September 22, 1958 · Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
- Birth name
- Joan Marie Larkin
- Work
- Singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer
- First band
- The Runaways · co-founded in 1975
- Independent label
- Blackheart Records · co-founded in 1980
- Breakout
- “I Love Rock ’n Roll” · seven weeks at No. 1 in the US
Mini bio
How it started.
Joan got her first guitar at 13 and co-founded the Runaways in 1975. The band gave her an early home for the loud rock she wanted to play, at a time when women were routinely discouraged from playing it.
Making her own way.
After 23 labels rejected her solo record, Joan and Kenny Laguna built Blackheart Records in 1980. They sold records from the back of Kenny’s Cadillac at shows. “I Love Rock ’n Roll” became her breakthrough with the Blackhearts, spending seven weeks at No. 1 in the US.
Beyond the microphone.
Her work also includes producing for the Germs and Bikini Kill, acting alongside Michael J. Fox in Light of Day and serving as an executive producer of the 2010 film The Runaways. She and the Blackhearts entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
Still making music.
The Blackhearts followed their acoustic album Changeup with the six-song Mindsets EP in 2023. Joan co-produced it with Kenny Laguna and Thom Panunzio. In 2025 she joined Billy Idol on “Wildside,” and in 2026 her official channels began sharing 45th anniversary editions of I Love Rock ’n Roll.
Creditschronological, newest first
Music
- 2025Wildside · Billy Idol, Dream Into ItFeatured performer
- 2023MindsetsPerformer and co-producer with Kenny Laguna and Thom Panunzio
- 2022ChangeupPerformer with the Blackhearts on their first acoustic album
- 1988I Hate Myself for Loving YouSinger and co-writer with Desmond Child
- 1981I Love Rock ’n RollSinger and guitarist with the Blackhearts
Film
- 2010The RunawaysExecutive producer
- 1987Light of DayActor opposite Michael J. Fox
Awards
Quotes
You can’t let other people dictate your life to you.Joan Jett, Blackheart artist biography
Reflecting on pursuing rock music despite being told that girls could not play it.
Trivia
- Her early independent records were sold from the back of Kenny Laguna’s Cadillac at concerts.
- Mattel made a Barbie doll in her likeness.
- NBC’s Sunday Night Football theme reworks “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”
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