Joan Jett was an 80s Rock Music Legend

No one defined 80s rock music quite like Joan Jett, whose raw and rebellious spirit helped to reshape an entire punk rock generation.

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts was an extremely popular demand during the early 1980s. They represented the pinnacle of the punk rock generation. Their hit song, I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll became the quintessential anthem for an entire generation. Her distinct blend of punk rock energy and swagger helped to reshape the music scene during the early 80s. The success of the band highlighted the appeal of rock music at a time when electronic, pop, and new wave were on the rise.

80s Rock Music and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

The 1980s were. Technological and cultural changes. At the time, new wave, synthpop, and electronic music were quickly gaining popularity. Despite this fact, rock continues to thrive throughout the decade. With the help of punk rock’s rebellious ethos from the late 70s, Joan Jett was able to fully embody the spirit of the era. After all, she had begun her career in the UK as a punk rocker. But it was her work with The Blackhearts that propelled her to stardom.

Thanks to the growing popularity of MTV during the early 1980s, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts were able to present their music to a wider audience. Joan Jett was able to successfully market herself, and her band to a generation where visual presentation was just as important as the sound itself. In the music video for I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, she presented her tough and leather-clad image to the world. And, the world watched.

From Punk Rock to the Girl Power Movement of 80s Rock Music

Joan Jett was not just known for her hit song I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, as she was also well known for her role in the girl power movement of 80s rock music.

The Rise of Punk Rock

Joan Jett began her career in the UK as part of a punk rock band. However, her earlier attempts to gain stardom were unsuccessful. It wasn’t until her transition to the United States, where punk rock was beginning to become more mainstream, that her style of music really caught on. Joan Jett used her gritty, rebellious energy to create something entirely new. She infused punk rock with the catching this of hard rock. And, in 1981 she released the iconic song I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll with The Blackhearts. The song became an instant success and skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

The song itself became an anthem for youthful rebellion at the time. It managed to empower countless listeners, particularly women, to embrace the boldness of rock music. Her unapologetic attitude and raw sound helped to push punk rock into the mainstream. She showed the world that women could be bold and rebellious.

The Power of Music Videos

At the same time that Joan Jett & The Blackhearts entered the rock music industry, MTV was still in its infancy. But, the existence of this visual media was a game changer for young artists like Joan Jett. It was possible for her and the band to create a visually stunning music video, that could be used to present her music to a wider audience. Her tough image and charismatic presence were perfect for music videos, perfectly capturing the rebellious essence of the rock ‘n’ roll spirit.

Without question, MTV helped to propel Joan Jett & The Blackhearts to the top of the music charts and make her a star. Their success in using MTV as a marketing tool signaled a major shift in how 80s rock music was consumed. It was no longer just about the music. It was about how the artists looked and how they presented themselves on screen. Her bold fashion choices became a symbol of 80s rock music culture. And, it influenced fashion trends throughout the music industry.

The Women of Rock

With the success of I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, Joan Jett became a trailblazer for women in 80s rock music. At the time, the genre was dominated by male musicians. And while other genres such as pop music had many successful female artists, rock was still considered a boys club. But, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts changed all of that and broke down the barriers. They show that women could be just as successful as men in the industry. And, she was unapologetic in her approach to rock music, playing her guitar with just as much aggression and energy as any of her male counterparts.

That success helped to influence an entire generation of female rockers. If it weren’t for Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, we wouldn’t have other big-name stars of the era like Pat Benatar, Lita Ford, and The Go-Go’s. She helped to empower and encourage women to pick up the guitar and claim their space in 80s rock music. And, the success of her career proved that women were able to thrive for decades within the industry, not just one-hit wonders.

Joan Jett and Her Legacy In 80s Rock Music

Joan Jett was the driving force behind Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and is considered to be one of the most influential female figures in rock music. She was a founding member of her 1970s band The Runaways, and was the front woman of The Blackhearts. Her hard work and dedication helped her to justify the industry expectations and paved the way for future female rock artists to excel. Her contributions to the music industry go well beyond her own success. She challenged the gender norms of the time and eventually created her own label. Under the label Blackheart Records, Joan Jett helped to launch the careers of other female rock acts throughout the 80s and 90s. She was, without a question, one of the most pivotal figures of the girl power movement of 80s rock music.

The Continuing Influence of Joan Jett

Not only did Joan Jett & The Blackhearts reshape the entire rock music industry, but she left a lasting legacy. Her success in blending punk rock with mainstream hard rock appealed to an entire generation. And she helped to reshape how people looked at female rock artists throughout the 80s. This allowed her to help diversify the rock landscape of the decade.

Joan Jett’s refusal to conform to the norms of the time made her the pinnacle of rebellion. She managed to inspire both women and men to change their status quo. And, the band’s enduring popularity is evident in how that song continues to be featured in films, commercials, and sports events around the world. Today, I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll is a timeless anthem of empowerment and self-expression.

Conclusion

In the end, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts was more than just another band. They were a force to be reckoned with. And, they completely reshaped 80s rock music forever. They fused punk attitudes and rock’s commercial apparel in order to pave the way for the girl empowerment movement. Through her hard work and dedication, not only did she prove that women could be successful in a male-dominated industry, but she helped countless others to succeed as well. For all of her hard work and dedication, she was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.