Guitar & Bass Tabs
Joan Jett
About Joan Jett
Joan Jett emerged from the mid-70s LA punk scene as the fearless frontwoman and guitarist of The Runaways. Formed in 1975 with Kim Fowley producing, The Runaways fused garage grit with hooky melodies and helped redefine what a girl-powered rock band could sound like. From the early singles Cherry Bomb and You Drive Me Wild to relentless touring, Jett established a hard, no-nonsense guitar voice that would influence generations of players.
After The Runaways disbanded in 1979, Jett launched Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. The 1981 album I Love Rock 'n' Roll delivered the defining anthem of the era, with the title track dominating the charts and becoming a global staple. In 1980 she started Blackheart Records, one of the first female-owned independent labels to score major chart success and to empower other artists to release music outside the major-label system.
Today, Joan Jett's legacy endures as a blueprint for fearless, guitar-forward rock. Her relentless DIY spirit, era-spanning hits, and advocacy for women in rock helped reshape the landscape for generations of players. The Runaways were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, sealing their place in rock history, while Jett continues to tour, record, and inspire new guitarists to pick up the instrument and make their own loud statement.
🎸 Want to know what gear Joan Jett used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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I Love Rock 'n' Roll
Joan Jett
View Tab →Playing Style
Joan Jett's playing style is all about punchy, dependable rhythm guitar on a bed of infectious hooks. She leans on simple, loud power-chord progressions and tight palm muting to drive songs like I Love Rock 'n' Roll with a relentless tempo. Her phrasing favors strong downstrokes and aggressive riffing over flashy scales, giving her tunes their unmistakable street-rock bite. The sound sits between garage grit and pop-rock accessibility, making even beginners feel like they're playing a timeless anthem.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear associated with Joan Jett includes a Gibson Les Paul Junior with a single P-90 pickup, often seen in black and delivering a raw, cutting tone. She has also been photographed with a Telecaster on stage. For live shows, a Marshall-style amp setup provides the crunchy midrange grit, typically paired with straightforward overdrive and occasional wah to push out riffs.
Why Learn Joan Jett Songs?
Learning Joan Jett tunes builds core rock rhythm skills: tight power-chord technique, strong downstrokes, and memorable, chantable riffs. The two lessons on DadRock Tabs make I Love Rock 'n' Roll and another signature track approachable for players at beginner-to-intermediate levels, helping you grow tempo, accuracy, and dynamic control while nailing that classic Joan Jett tone.
Did You Know?
- 1Joan Jett formed Blackheart Records in 1980, one of the first female-owned independent labels to achieve major chart success.
- 2The Runaways, with Jett fronting, are among the first all-female rock bands to gain worldwide recognition in the 1970s.
- 3Her cover of I Love Rock 'n' Roll became a global No. 1 hit and a rock anthem around the world.
- 4The Runaways were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
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