Joan Jett Radio
The Original Riot Grrrl
The home for Songs That Saved Your Life Radio on WKNY 107.9FM where Jami explores the very queer roots of rock n roll and plays a lot of great music!
Listen to the episode below:
Joan Jett has been smashing genre and gender boundaries since the age of 16 years old as the founder of the teenage girl rock band The Runaways.
"Other people will call me a rebel, but I just feel like I'm living my life and doing what I want to do. Sometimes people call that rebellion, especially when you're a woman."
Joan Jett has always been a template for queer fans, even if her declaration of queerness came later in her career. When the LGBTQIA+ community continues to be targeted by violence and erasure, visibility from powerful and famous people creates safety. Being out erodes the notion that queer sexuality should be secretive or shameful.
But Jett has been tokenized her entire career. With The Runaways, her talents were minimized because of her gender. As a solo artist, she was rejected from 23 record labels before starting her own.
She chose an all-male backing band in the Blackhearts in order to be taken more seriously as a rock icon. It’s understandable that Jett would’ve spent her nearly 50 year career choosing her words carefully.
Music in this episode includes songs by the Ramones, the Runaways, Suzi Quatro, T. Rex, Bikini Kill, L7, Against Me!, and the Clash.
For a deeper dive into Joan Jett’s story:
My band Circus Lupus recorded a single with Joan in 1992 or so. At the time, a lot of people felt she was merely trying to establish her “original Riot Grrl” cred, but I found her one of the most genuine, present, and unique people I’ve ever spent time with. I’ll always love her.
Ack! I needed an earworm warning. Crimson and Clover was on the radio (The Avenue 91.1, Community Radio in Appleton WI) last week and I kept hearing it in my head until Monday. Dang, here I go again. Joan Jett to the bone.