Joan Jett's Five Acts of Legend
By Guitar Player Staff published
Look back on some of the highlights of the pioneering hard-rocker's career.

- She was a founding member of the Runaways in 1975. Though manager Kim Fowley did his best to shape their image, their aggro sound - and creativity - couldn’t be constrained.
- Sex Pistols Paul Cook and Steve Jones joined her in 1979 to record a version of the Arrows’ “I Love Rock and Roll.” In 1982, Jett’s reworking with the Blackhearts sat atop the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks.
- Not content with just being a rock star, she is a champion for animal rights and vegan living.
- She became the first woman to be honored with a Gibson signature guitar - the Joan Jett Melody Maker - in 2008. She collaborated with Gibson on a second signature model, the Joan Jett ES-339, in 2019 (opens in new tab).
- The scrappy and gritty guitarist made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
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