She has been a performer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and record label owner, and in 2015 she was recognised for her incredible impact and influence with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her career began as a teenager in the mid-1970s as a founding member of the legendary all-female band the Runaways. From the start, Joan made loud, hook-laden records that conveyed both toughness and joy.

Sporting a low-slung guitar, shag haircut and black leather, she took over a role dominated by male rockers and excelled at it.

Joan’s authentic attitude and her powerful musical lyricism was rooted in the sound and style of rock and roll – carrying on the spirit that Buddy Holly helped create. Generations of artists and fans have been captivated by Buddy Holly’s lyrics, rhythms and vocal style. Along with his great melodies, every guitar player raves on about Buddy’s iconic Fender sound, driven by a confident right hand delivering powerful downstrokes and well-timed upstrokes. This distinct delivery was taken even further when Buddy delivered rhythmic chord-based solos in lieu of single-note lines. This mixture made pop songs sound like rockers and set the stage for power pop, punk and garage — three of the hallmarks of Joan Jett’s incredible career.

She formed the Blackhearts in 1982, and their classic four-piece sound carried the flag for straight-ahead, take-no-prisoners rock and roll. The Blackhearts’ potent mix of hard rock, glam, punk, metal and garage rock blasted through the airwaves and sounded fresh and relevant in any era. Their biggest hit, ‘I Love Rock ’n’ Roll’, which went to number one in the US in 1982, is timeless – as pure and simple a statement about the music’s power as Chuck Berry’s ‘Roll Over Beethoven’. Three of their albums – I Love Rock ’n’ Roll, Album and Up Your Alley – reached the US Top 20, powered by songs written by Joan and bandmate Kenny Laguna. By covering songs from all corners of the rock catalogue – from Sonny Curtis to Tommy James to Sly and the Family Stone – the band effortlessly broke down barriers between genres and eras.

The honesty and power of Joan’s records makes you believe that rock and roll could change the world. This no-nonsense attitude and Joan’s style has been a major influence on countless artists, including Nirvana, Green Day and a host of Riot Grrrl bands. In addition to writing and performing, Joan has produced a wide range of artists including the Germs, Bikini Kill and L7. When American record labels rejected her debut solo album in 1980, Joan and Kenny Laguna launched Blackheart Records and for the last four decades the label has championed cutting-edge artists. 

Greg Harris (President, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum)