Joan Jett’s favourite albums
Thank god for fan clubs. There are perhaps no sources quite as interesting or essential as the self-made publications and newsletters that follow stars, as fans make it their mission to chronicle and archive the careers of their favourite artists. In the 1960s through to the 1990s, when subcultures didn’t have the internet to find community, these fan clubs were the only way to connect people keen on the same music and, in turn, connect them to the artists they loved. In Joan Jett’s fan club, she even provided an inside look at her tastes and playlists.
It took them a while to pin her down. Jett’s career started early and was chaotic from that very first moment. At 16, she started The Runaways and did just that, going on the road with a rag-tag troupe of rebel girls. As they opened for the Ramones, Van Halen and Tom Petty, the band seemed to light a fire in teenagers everywhere, marking the start of the riot grrl movement as they inspired young girls especially to pick up instruments and make some noise.
From then on, Jett has been busy. Immediately after the Runaways split, she launched her own solo career with the same high-octane rock energy, and when joined by the Blackhearts, that only got better. By 1990, she was one of the most established and revered names in rock music, with a huge hoard of fans.
And those fans were signed up to the fan club, connected by regular newsletters and mail outs with updates on what the artist was up to, where she was going to pop up, and occasionally, note from Jett herself. In one volume, the musician provided a biography, answering her fans’ questions about her favourite music, memories and beyond. In one response, she let everyone in on her favourite albums.
“I got turned on to music because there was something about the way it touched me. Listening to the guitar really took over and made me feel great,” she said, which makes sense of the fact that all of her favourite albums are guitar-led records with anthemic hits.
“Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones” is her first pick. The 1969 record marked the beginning of the end for Brian Jones as Mick Taylor replaced him on most guitar parts. In turn, the album saw a departure from their earlier sound into something bigger. Housing the huge track ‘Gimme Shelter’ with its roaring rock chorus, it’s a favourite of Jett’s.
Her next pick goes to Social Distortion’s self-titled 1990 record, highlighting the work of another American punk rock band. The group were on the rise at the same time as Jett and was inspired by the same mix of classic rock and roll and rougher punk, so their affiliation makes perfect sense.
Next up is a more grungy, post-punk choice. “Let It Be by The Replacements,” she said is one of her favourites. The 1984 marked the moment that the band seemed to grow tired of playing loud and fast, and instead parred back to a softer, moodier sound.
In stark opposition to that is her final choice, “Never Mind The Bollocks by The Sex Pistols.” Jett collaborated with the Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones and Paul Cook on her huge hit, ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’, so her love for the band goes further than just enjoying their music. But as one of, if not the most, defining punk albums of all time, it only makes sense that the Runaway leader would be a fan of Britain’s rebels.
Joan Jett’s favourite albums:
- The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed (1969)
- Social Distortion – Social Distortion (1990)
- The Replacements – Let It Be (1984)
- The Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks (1977)
