Questions
What is Joan Jett’s real name?
She was born Joan Marie Larkin on September 22, 1958, in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. She changed her name to Jett after her family moved to California because she thought it had more of a rock star sound.
Is "Jett" really her mother’s maiden name?
She once claimed it was, but she later admitted that Jett was not actually her mother’s maiden name.
What was her first band?
She co-founded the all-girl rock band The Runaways at age 16, alongside drummer Sandy West. The band was active from 1975 to 1979.
How did she get her start on guitar?
She got her first guitar at age 13. When she took lessons, the instructor reportedly kept trying to teach her folk songs, so she quit because that was not her style.
Did she really record "I Love Rock ’n’ Roll" before her hit version?
Yes. In 1979, while in England pursuing a solo career, she recorded an early version with Sex Pistols members Paul Cook and Steve Jones. The song was originally written and recorded by the band Arrows.
How big was her cover of "I Love Rock ’n’ Roll"?
The 1982 version topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks, and it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016.
Why did she start her own record label?
After 23 major labels rejected her 1980 debut solo album, she and producer Kenny Laguna released it independently through Blackheart Records, which they reportedly started with Laguna’s daughter’s college savings.
What is her most famous backing band called?
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, formed in 1980 with producer and collaborator Kenny Laguna.
What are some of her other big songs?
"Bad Reputation" (1980), her cover of "Crimson and Clover" (1982), and "I Hate Myself for Loving You" (1988), which peaked at No. 8 on the Hot 100.
Has she produced records for other artists?
Yes. She produced the Germs’ album GI, and later produced recordings for Circus Lupus (1992) and the riot grrrl band Bikini Kill (1994).
Did Joan Jett ever act in movies?
She starred opposite Michael J. Fox as siblings in a rock band in the 1987 film Light of Day. Bruce Springsteen wrote the film’s title song. She also performed in The Rocky Horror Show on Broadway in 2000.
What guitar is she known for playing?
A white Gibson Melody Maker she bought from Eric Carmen of the Raspberries and has played since 1977. Gibson released a signature model in 2008.
Is she in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes. She was inducted in 2015 along with the Blackhearts. She has also appeared on Rolling Stone’s greatest guitarists lists in 2003 and 2023.
What are her nicknames?
She is often called the "Godmother of Punk" and the "Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll."
Did an airline name a plane after her?
Yes. In August 2024, Virgin Atlantic named an Airbus A330-900 "Joan Jet" in her honor.
