Biographic - Sunday September 30, 2018 Comic Strip Licensing and Permissions

Transcript

Born Joan Marie Larkin in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, on September 22, 1958, she got her first guitar at the age of 14. Shortly after the family moved to the Los Angeles area, her parents divorced and she took her mother's maiden name, becoming Joan Jett. She became immersed in the Hollywood glam-rock scene, and in 1975, guided by rock impresario Kim Fowley, she teamed up with drummer Sandy West. They recruited bassist Micki Steele, 15-year-old singer Cherie Currie and 16-year-old lead guitarist Lita Ford and formed The Runaways. Seele soon left later to resurface with The Bangles, and she was eventually replaced by Jackie Fox. The group enjoyed superstar status in Japan, but they were plagued by personnel changes and internal disagreement over management, musical direction and money, they disbanded 1979. Joan went on to form Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. Unable to secure a record deal, she formed her own Blackheart Records label. Released in 1982 "I Love Rock And Roll" topped the billboard hot 100 for seven weeks! Subsequent hits included "Crimson and Clover" and "I Hate Myself For Loving You." The band was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in 2015. The "Godmother Of Punk" is the subject of "Bad Reputation" a new documentary that traces her journey through five decades of rock!

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