Joan Jett is not a name to overlook in the rock faculty of the music industry. Jett sings writes and composes rock music. The singer belongs to and leads the band, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Coupled with the Blackhearts hit songs, Joan is also known for tracks like Crimson and Clover, Bad Reputation, I Hate Myself for Loving You, and many others. Over the course of her music career, the talented singer has earned many recognition and accolades. Regarded as the Queen of Rock, Jett has several platinum albums to her name and is hoping to get more.
Here’s Everything To Know About Joan Jett
She was born on September 22, 1958, to her parents – James Larkin, her father and Dorothy Jett Larkin, her mother in Wynnewood Pennsylvania. Jett, the oldest of three children was raised in a Protestant family and would attend church with her parents and siblings while growing up. She attended Randolph High School and Wheaton High School. Jett’ s inclination to music started at a very young age. At 14, she already had a guitar and was also taking guitar lessons. Her family later moved to California, making her open to more opportunities. However, after moving to California, her parents divorced and the singer changed her last name to her mother’s maiden name, Jett.
Career
At the land of opportunities, Jett, alongside her colleagues Sandy West and Jackie Fox, formed the Runaways rock band. The band was later joined by Cherie Currie who became the frontperson. Joan on her part, co-wrote the band’s songs, played rhythm guitar and did lead vocals. The band rose to high popularity in Asia, Europe, Australia, Canada and different parts of the globe, though not so popular in the US. The band recorded and produced five albums between 1975 and 1979.
Jett started to pursue a solo career in 1979. She recorded three songs in England with the Sex Pistols’ Paul Cook and Steve Jones, and returned to LA to film a production based on the Runaways’ career – We’re All Crazee Now!. She later moved to New York to work with producer Kenny Laguna whom she met while working on the film. With Laguna’s influence, Jett made her way to the Who’s Ramport Studios and soon released her solo debut in May 1980. The solo, however, was rejected by 23 labels in the US, but undeterred, Jett and Laguna released it on their newly found fresh label ‘Blackheart Records’. Joan, with the help of Laguna went on to form the band ‘Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’.
Her Net Worth
Joan Jett was the queen during her vibrant days and she made a lot of fortune with her unique talent. Although the figures are not all available Jett’s net worth in recent times has been estimated to be $7 million. Her career as a rock band musician earned her so many accolades and elevated her to an enviable financial status in the 90s. Jett, who is also an occasional actress, has her few movie stints to thank for her income. The singer has up to three albums certified gold or platinum and these came with their own financial elevation.
Personal Life – Is She Lesbian Or Gay?
Joan Jett’s personal life has been subjected to lots of speculations and rumors, especially pertaining to her sexual orientation. The rock singer has been speculated by many sources to be into women and not men. These notions emerged after she refused to publicly confirm her sexuality. The singer has been heard telling interviewers to go ahead and believe what they want as she won’t react positively or negatively to the rumours.
Moreso, Joan Jett has been in the news for dating several women including Stephanie Adams, Pleasant Gehman, Dee Dee Ramone and many others. But an even more confusing fact is that she has also been in relationships with men including radio personality, Danny Bonaduce. Can we then say that Joan Jett swings both ways?. This could be the case for the talented rock singer although she has never asserted any of the options to be true.
It can also be recalled that guitarist Lita Ford who joined the Runaways in the mid-70s said in an interview that she left the band because some of her bandmates were into women. In her memoir ‘Living Like a Runaway’. The former Runaways member included Joan Jett as one of the bandmates who never showed interest in boys.
