Joan Jett
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Joan Jett (born Joan Marie Larkin; September 22, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, businesswoman, and actress. Often referred to as the "Godmother of Punk", she is regarded as a rock icon and an influential figure in popular rock music. Jett co-founded and performed with the Runaways from 1975 to 1979, with whom she released four albums. After their dissolution, she recorded her debut album and brought it to several record labels with producer Kenny Laguna, all of whom rejected her. As a result, she formed her own independent record label Blackheart Records with Laguna. Her self-titled debut album–later reissued as Bad Reputation–became her first entry onto the Billboard 200, bolstered by the attention its title track received. Following the success of her debut record, Jett founded her backing band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Their 1981 album, I Love Rock 'n Roll, peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. Its lead single, "I Love Rock 'n Roll", topped many international charts and the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks; it is often featured in professional listings of the greatest songs of all time, and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Jett has released eleven more albums with the Blackhearts, with Album (1983) and Up Your Alley (1988) receiving gold and platinum certifications, respectively. The latter spawned the single "I Hate Myself for Loving You", which netted Jett her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Performance. Other singles which have appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 include "Fake Friends", "Good Music", "Light of Day", "Little Liar", and the covers "Crimson and Clover", "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)", "Dirty Deeds", and "Everyday People". Jett was included on Rolling Stone's 2003 and 2023 lists of the greatest guitarists of all time. In 2015, she and the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Outside of music, she headlined the film Light of Day in 1987 and has appeared in several television series. She is also recognized for her activism and persona.