What do you think of Joan Jett?

Don't be scared. This is an anonymous site, so you can be honest, people.

Apparently, all the stories on her have dried up. Everyone on DL who's ever met or seen her must have already replied to one of the older threads. Oh well.

What I think of her: she's fascinating. Not sure how or why, but she is.

She also sort of scares me.

Has given her career and recording over to an old ham-and-egger guy who has prevented her from musically evolving since the age of 18 and kept her on the state fair circuit. She tries to team up with younger people now and then but ran out of ideas decades ago. A real producer might have helped Joan expand her sound and career -- too late now. On the other hand maybe she has had a saner, more predictable life because of it.

she's a big lez.

A big lez who is not really out...and never publicly attached to anyone.

shit......she's out.

r5- Actually, she's rather small.

r7- She's not "officially" out. And I think one reason is that she doesn't identify strictly one way or the other. She likes to turn everyone one (and she pretty much has). Another reason may be that she doesn't want to alienate her audience; she wants to be what they make of her, which is nice.

^ I meant: She likes to turn everyone *on.

Had two radio hits long, long, long ago in the '80"s. Borderline novelty songs (I Love Rock and Roll; Crimeon and Clover cover). Much more about attitude and image than talent.. Cant't really sing. Unremarkable guitar player. Appeal limited mostly to lesbians. Not sure why she isn't totally forgotten

r4- It's never too late.

r11- You must be the hater from the Pat Benetar thread. Hi there, hater!

No, I'm not the "hater" from the Pat Benetar thread. OP solicited opinions, etc about Jett and I weighed in. She's a minor 80's pop culture figure of marginal talent. I don't dislike her but beyond 2 songs and her frozen-in-amber rock star drag there's little to have an opinion about.

She has this strange thing about her career that none of her original songs have been as big of hits as her covers, yet her covers usually are far superior to the originals (which is not usually the case with covers).

r14- Sure, sure. You may not be a hater, but you are from the Benetar thread!

This very X-rated original song of hers could have never made it on the radio, but is very good, nonetheless.

And r11, if you think she appeals mainly to lesbians, you obviously haven't oriented yourself to her punk-glam period!

And she seems to have been an influence on P!nk's image too.

[quote]Not sure why she isn't totally forgotten R11- Maybe because she's not a quitter like a lot of people and actually likes what she does?! She proves the old adage that if you do what you love and love what you do, you will succeed. So, kudos to her! We all should be that genuine.

Approached her at a gig in Leeds when the Runaways first toured England. My brother was too young to get in. Asked her if she could get him in. She couldn't. So much for ignoring the rules and punk rock and all. In the end I let him in through a fire exit.

r21- Did she just flat out say "no" or did she offer an explanation?

She may or may not have just come out of jail at that time, r21:

She may not break the law, but she'll bend the rules a bit as a favor if she can. As she says to this fan here "Don't tell!"

Can't stand her "punk" affectations and rebel posturings. She was a totally mainstream corporate product who appeared on MTV at the height of it's influence. Will this "trash nobility" Baby Boomer nonsense ever die? The Baby Boomers - John Waters epitomizes their sensibility - had cushy and boring suburban upbringings and their need to wallow in faux-degradation is a histrionic response to it. Only those with a base-level of comfort underneath them romanticize being poor or being an outcast. I know this is a bit off-topic but there's a chain of association at work (the excerpt about her jail experience set me off - for fuck's sake it wasn't Argentina in the 1980's).

i like her song do ya wanna touch me there.

[quote] (the excerpt about her jail experience set me off - for fuck's sake it wasn't Argentina in the 1980's).

Why would that set you off, r25? No one said it was Alcatraz, but she did get arrested, and she did spend a little time in a cell. In addition, by the time The Runaways broke up, she was broke herself. As she has said, "I've slept on a lot of floors and ate off a lot of discarded room-service trays to get where I am today." Just because she wasn't "Little Orphan Annie" as a child doesn't mean she didn't have a few hard knocks over the years!

oh god who cares.

You cared enough to reply, r28. So, answer = you.

I understand your valid point [R27]. I was just making an observation (not too well thought out) about the punk sensibility in general (the American punk sensibility of the 1980's as opposed to the British punk sensibility of the 1970's) as a reaction to the post-war Baby Boomer experience. The Baby Boomers' narcissism, self-involvement and sense of "specialness" was a precursor to the current pathologies of the Milennials, who insist they're victims of oppression when they've never worked, had everything handed to them and are barely educated despite long years of "therapeutic" schooling. This in contrast to earlier generations who toiled on family farms, were newsboys, shined shoes, hawked wares, etc. to survive in truly difficult times.

She was more of a suburban metal type than a punk, although she did produce the Germs's album.

Well, put that way, I really sympathize, r30. I get annoyed about that sort of thing too. But really, I don't think Joan means to be anything but herself. So, I don't think it is "posturing' like putting on an act, to her. It's true that she didn't start out with a rock persona as a kid in school. But, it's also true that by the time she became a rocker, she was more or less still a kid. So, basically, she had a transformation into who she really is. Like anything really.

Caterpillars turn into butterflies, she turned into a hard rocker. But, that's her. I don't think she wants to fake anyone out.

r31- Joan would say all those are just contrived labels. She considers herself just a rocker, pure and simple.

She probably didn't want to let the brother into the show because she wanted him to pay his admission. The Runaways's tours were bare-bones affairs and the band made nothing.

Also, have you seen this, r25? I'm not sure she should be considered "corporate", since she ended up having to produce her albums herself, and sold her first one out of the trunk of her manager's car. In addition, according to one video interview and a couple of printed comments I've read, it's clear that, rightly or wrongly, neither of them like what they call "corporate bands" (whatever that means) and in fact, they seem to have a bitter dislike of them.

I must admit, it's striking what an appeal she has with lesbians, considering she isn't "out" and doesn't really do any gay campaigning a la "Born This Way." So, why does she of so many female celebs, appeal sexually to women? My theory is gaydar; Joan Jett's effortless appeal to lesbians basically proves the existence and validity of gaydar: Women see and hear her, and they just know she's the type to sweep them off their feet.

It was obvious when she had her first big hit she was a lesbian. The tabs pretty much take for granted she is a lesbian. They ran a lot of stories when she was dating Carmen Electra. I like her songs but thought it was stupid she got in the HOF for a few hits years ago that were covers.

r37- How was it "obvious" without gaydar? And just because the tabloids printed a few stories about her and Carmen doesn't mean anything. For all we know, they were planted for publicity.

I do think she's probably great with women (my gaydar is strong with her), but it also occurs to me that she may like men almost equally as-well. Hint: Just ask yourself how she has time too be a lesbian when Kenny (her manager) is always with her- then remember that she has a song about 3-ways. What does that tell you? I know what it tells me! Tabloids, smabloids! Look at the signs to see the truth.

I hate her.

Closet lesbian who tortured that girl who was raped in front of everybody at a party.

Jett can fuck off straight to hell.

No talen hack

r39- Have you ever heard of innocent until proven guilty in a court of law?! Obviously not!

But, even without a court of law, I doubt Joan "tortured" anyone, and to say so without proof (like knowing first-hand), then it's merely slander.

And as far as hating her, you really need to stop that. It eats you up inside, til' your the one in (a living) hell, not her!

I can't believe some dumb frau is arguing Joan Jett is straight. That is just stupid. Are you the same person that argues Danny Kaye is straight?

"What I think of her: she's fascinating."

What on earth is "fascinating" about her? The general impression I get of her is that she's not that bright. And she obviously thinks it would be a bad career move to come out, because she hasn't done it yet. I find nothing about her to like or admire.

"You cared enough to reply, [R28]. So, answer = you. "

Replying to a thread doesn't mean somebody "cares", you idiot. It just mean they're expressing their opinion on something. You obviously care very, very, very, very, very much about Joan Jett. That's really kind of creepy.

Oh no ! it's back the creepy Joan Jett troll.

[quote]I can't believe some dumb frau is arguing Joan Jett is straight. That is just stupid. Are you the same person that argues Danny Kaye is straight?

r41- Look man, I'd love for her to be gay, seriously. BUT! Does THIS look gay to you?

...How'bout this? Does THIS look freakin' gay to you?!

[face it- she's bi if she's anything. I mean, she did sing AC/DC. Clues, people! Follow the clues!]

[quote]The general impression I get of her is that she's not that bright

r12- Okay, tell us what makes you think she's not that bright (this oughta be good!)

r42- What I think is fascinating about Joan Jett is that she is such a contradiction. If you're "bright" enough, you'll know what that means!

[She's also very generous with her resources, in some very memorable ways, as this little video shows] (^_~)

Bump

r49, You're funny!

I don't find her to be musically talented.

r51, Okay. But, I'm sure there's something you like about her. Everyone has something great about them, even if they aren't our favorites.

"What do you think of Joan Jett?"

Who?

I think she's lovely.

r52, Yes I like that she is a female rock and roller. Back in the day there were very few. Suzi Quatro (Joan is a big fan of), Fanny, Grace Slick. They were few and far between.

r55- Now THAT'S what I like to see- keepin' it positive!

Well I just don't like her because of the obsessive creepy sounding trolls that seem to like her.

r57, it's alright. She probably loves her "obsessive, creepy sounding trolls" cause they love her. All is good. Obsessive trolls are better than petty trolls anyway.

Bump

Yeah, it's been a while since anyone bumped this thread. And with today being the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame induction announcements for 2020, it reminded me of this rocker. I'd like to know what's up with her.

Spill the tea, if you have any!

Crazy thing is, there's someone here who claims that their gal-pal was Joan's traveling lover, yet when asked what kind of lover Joan was, he's crickets.

Pathetic.

Give the deets, or keep it to yourself!

She helped me survive the 80s. So thanks for that, Joan.

She’s a guitar player, r51. She also sings and can carry a tune, but guitar is her thing.

Hmmm....that someone can write songs, play guitar, carry a tune, but still be found musically un-talented is a wonder!