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Joan Jett takes her place in rock’n’roll’s hierarchy
By John Benson
CLEVELAND
Joan Jett loves rock ’n’ roll.
Now, rock ’n’ roll is showing its appreciation by inducting her into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
It’s been a long time coming for the former teen member of The Runaways who found early solo success in 1981 behind the title track from her Joan Jett and the Blackhearts album “I Love Rock-n-Roll.” Later the same decade, she made a comeback of sorts with surprise radio hit “I Hate Myself For Loving You.”
Since then, Jett has remained a touring entity playing every gig as if it were her last. Though platinum records don’t cover her walls (she does have two) nor Grammy Awards take up space on her mantle, the singer-guitarist’s credibility and influence is indisputable. Not only did she span genres from hard rock and glam to punk, metal and garage, but her shadow is cast all over the riot grrrl movement.
First nominated in 2011, Jett has for years been atop critics’ must-induct list of artists into the Rock Hall. Such talk is now put to rest as Jett and her Blackhearts are indeed being inducted into the Rock Hall in Cleveland on Saturday.
However, there’s little time left for smelling the roses (or “Crimson and Clover”) as Jett was tagged as opener on The Who’s 50th anniversary tour. She has a gig the night before and night after the Rock Hall induction. Such is the life of a working rock and roller.
During a recent phone call to New York City, The Vindicator talked to the humbled artist about her unlikely career and her legacy.
Q. Congratulations on your induction to the Rock Hall. How long has it been on your radar?
A. To be frank about it, it’s something I tried not to think about too much. Before it happened, it was wonderful if I got nominated, but it wasn’t really what I was focused on. To me, being in a band isn’t necessarily about winning accolades. The accolades are the things you get from your audience. The fact that they’re buying the music or listening to it on the radio, whatever, was really all I was ever going for. To get a nomination like this and being accepted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is exciting, unexpected, and I’m looking forward to it a lot.
Q. While you may not have thought about it, peers must have been mentioning it to you for a while.
A. Yeah, for years I’ve had people saying that to me. And then after I did the Dave Clark [Rock Hall Induction] in 2011, people really started saying that to me. Or saying, “You’re not in? Why aren’t you in?” I’m like, “It’s not for me to say.”
Q. It’s funny, lately you’re not a stranger to the Rock Hall. In addition to performing in 2011, last year you were a part of the high-profile Nirvana induction, which included you singing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” at the ceremony. How did that come about?
A. Dave [Grohl] called me up about 12 days before the ceremony last year and I’m glad he kept it that close because if I had too much time to think about it I might have panicked. When he asked me to do that, part of me was completely filled with fear about the immensity of doing a Nirvana song, and doing that Nirvana song. But then as a fan, and a huge fan and a friend of the band, it was like how can I not? Just like on a pure, what music is supposed to be about, that enjoyment and fun and grooving with your friends, I had to do it. And I’m so glad I did. It was such an enjoyable experience just being with the Nirvana guys and being with the other women doing the rest of the songs. It was really an awesome experience.
Q. Looking back over your 40-year career in the music business, how would you characterize your journey?
A. I’d say for the most part it’s been a tough road more than an easy road. And you always have to prove yourself again. You bring up 40 years and you think if we were discussing me at the start and said, “Hey Joan, what do you think it’ll look like for women playing rock ’n’ roll 40 years down the line?” I’d say, “We’ll probably be all over the place.” And here we are 40 years later and they are all over the place, but they just don’t have support from the industry. It’s still pretty devoid of women in rock ’n’ roll once you go look for it. Of course pop music has always been filled with women and it still is. But in the rock ’n’ roll world, it’s still pretty slim.
Q. Finally, what’s the legacy of Joan Jett?
A. I’m not good at looking at myself. When people ask me about my own self, it’s a really weird thing. I just can’t see it. I can’t see myself through other people’s eyes. I can only see myself through my eyes. Which is maybe a good thing.