30 Vintage Photos

Joan Jett, 1977
In 1977, Joan Jett was a member of The Runaways, an all-female hard rock/glam-punk band that became hugely famous everywhere, it seems, but their native United States. The Runaways sold out large venues in the UK, Canada and especially Japan, where they were mobbed by adoring fans upon arrival but just never quite rose above cult status in the States. Some members of the Runaways were destined for bigger things — following the band’s breakup in 1979, Lita Ford became a successful solo artist and Micki Steele joined The Bangles. But Jett became the biggest star by far, topping pop charts all over the world in 1982 with “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” and cracking the top 10 with “Crimson & Clover” and (much later) “I Hate Myself for Loving You.” She continues performing to this day and is appreciated by fans of many ages as the Queen of Rock ‘n Roll and the Godmother of Punk.

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