Joan Jett

Joan Jett (born Joan Marie Larkin; September 22, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, businesswoman, and actress. Often referred to as the "Godmother of Punk" and "Queen of Rock and Roll", she is regarded as a rock icon and an influential figure in popular rock music. Jett co-founded and performed with rock band the Runaways from 1975 to 1979, with whom she released four studio albums. After their breakup, she recorded her debut solo studio album and brought it to several record labels with record producer Kenny Laguna, all of whom rejected her. As a result, she formed her own independent record label Blackheart Records with Laguna. Her 1980 eponymous debut studio album (later reissued as Bad Reputation) became her first entry onto the U.S. Billboard 200, bolstered by the attention its title track received. Following the success of her debut solo studio album, Jett founded her backing band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Their first studio album, I Love Rock 'n Roll (1981), peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Its lead single, a cover version of Arrows's "I Love Rock 'n Roll", topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and many international charts; it became Jett's signature song and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016. The album also produced her second top ten single "Crimson and Clover", a cover version of Tommy James and the Shondells' song. Jett has released eleven more studio albums, of which Album (1983) and Up Your Alley (1988) earned gold and platinum certifications, respectively. Her 1988 single "I Hate Myself for Loving You" netted Jett her third top ten single on the Hot 100 and her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Performance. Other Hot 100 singles include "Fake Friends", "Good Music", "Light of Day", "Little...