Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Announced as 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts ~ Joan Jett, Thommy Price, Dougie Needles, Acey Slade ~ will be among the 2015 inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Cleveland’s Public Hall on April 18, 2015 (Artists are eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single.).
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts back in the day
“I’m still collecting my thoughts, but the feeling is surreal. I’ve always focused on making music for the art of it, and its ability to reach others. I am truly honored that my music has been recognized by the great rock and roll community that voted me in,” Jett shared.
As the leader of the hard-rocking Blackhearts, Grammy-nominated Jett has eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics “Bad Reputation,” “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “I Hate Myself For Loving You,” and “Crimson and Clover.”
Jett is the co-founder of Blackheart Records, the first female artist owned and operated independent record label. Three decades later, Blackheart Records has held true to its indie, DIY spirit and serves as home to fierce talent such as Girl In A Coma, The Vacancies, The Dollyrots, The Cute Lepers and The Eyeliners in addition to Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. As a producer, Joan has overseen albums by Bikini Kill, Circus Lupus, and The Germs.
The inimitable Joan, photo courtesy of John Bones Mjelleli and the Kasem Cares Foundation
Her music has become a permanent force in mainstream culture. A version of “I Hate Myself for Loving You” was featured on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, performed this past season by Carrie Underwood, and her music can be heard in numerous films including Easy – A, Kick Ass, The Runaways, Shrek, Baby Mama, and many more and well as on numerous TV shows.
Since co-founding pioneering all-girl punk quintet The Runawaysat age 15, Jett’s determination and drive have kept her in the public eye. Jett was able to see her story told in The Runaways, the film based on [lead singer of The Runaways] Cherie Currie’s book Neon Angel and starring Kristen Stewart as Jett and her fellow A-lister Dakota Fanning as Currie. Jett served as an executive producer.
Her latest album, Unvarnished, her first in over 7 years, was released September 2013 and immediately broke into the top 50 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart. The album features the hit single “Any Weather,” which was co-written by Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl. Laura Jane Grace from Against Me! is also featured on the album.
Unvarnished (Standard Version)
1. Any Weather (606 Version)
2. TMI
3. Soulmates To Strangers
4. Make It Back
5. Hard To Grow Up
6. Fragile
7. Reality Mentality
8. Bad As We Can Be
9. Different
10. Everybody Needs A Hero
Unvarnished (Deluxe Version)
1. Any Weather (606 Version)
2. TMI
3. Soulmates To Strangers
4. Make It Back
5. Hard To Grow Up
6. Fragile
7. Reality Mentality
8. Bad As We Can Be
9. Different
10. I Know What I Know
11. Seriously
12. Different (Demo Version)
13. Any Weather (Blackhearts)
14. Everybody Needs A Hero
Still from the “Any Weather” video
Watch the official video for “Any Weather” here!
You can purchase Unvarnished on Amazon and the Deluxe Version on iTunes and check out Blackheart Records merch here.
Jett was on hand at the 2014 Rock Hall of Fame induction ceremony to front the remaining members of Nirvana as they performed Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and she and the Blackhearts continuously tour across the globe performing to throngs of adoring fans. She also won the Golden God Award on VH1 Classic earlier this year and performed at the 2014 Alternative Press Music Awards (which we were lucky enough to attend!), rockin’ the stage with Slash.
Joan and Slash at the AP Music Awards
Joan Jett has spent her lifetime breaking barriers and challenging expectations ~ she is, after all, a woman who is both a spokesperson for PETA and a devoted supporter of the US Military. She’s fought hard for all of her historic accomplishments, yet she remains humble and appreciative.
“I’ve had a blessed career,” she says. “I consider myself so lucky to have been able to do things my own way.”
Joan and The Blackhearts in front of screaming fans at Amnesia Rockfest 2014, photo by Francois Poulin for FW
We at FlashWounds congratulate Joan and The Blackhearts for their well-deserved induction into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and look forward to Joan continuing to do things her own way for a long time to come.
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