I Love Rock ’n Roll

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, your favorite hippie DJs from The Zoo Crew are spinning a classic for you today—I Love Rock ’n Roll by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts from their iconic 1981 album of the same name! This song’s got a wild story. Originally written and recorded by The Arrows in 1975, Joan Jett first heard it while touring with The Runaways in 1976, catching it on the band’s UK TV show. She was hooked, and it became a staple in her setlist for years. Jett first cut a version in 1979 with Sex Pistols members Steve Jones and Paul Cook, but it was her 1981 recording with The Blackhearts that exploded, hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in 1982. Fun fact: the music video, directed by Barry Ralbag, was shot in black and white because Jett wasn’t vibing with her red leather jumpsuit in color! She’s quoted saying, “I know everyone says it sounds silly, ‘I Love Rock ’n’ Roll,’ but that is what I feel—I love rock ’n’ roll,” capturing the raw passion that made this anthem timeless.

Another cool tidbit? The song’s lyrical tweak by Jett added a personal spin, turning it into a bold story of a girl picking up a guy and taking him home—empowering and rebellious. The album itself was a hustle, recorded in bursts between gigs in New York’s Soundworks Studios during the summer of 1981. Jett and her crew were relentless, gigging weekends and recording weekdays, keeping their edge sharp. Early pressings of the album included Little Drummer Boy, but post-holidays, it was swapped for Oh Woe Is Me on most copies. The album’s cover, shot by legendary photographer Mick Rock, is iconic, with Rock calling Jett “a female Elvis” in his vision for the image. In 2015, to mark 33 ⅓ years since its release, a special anniversary edition dropped with live 1981 New York recordings, celebrating its lasting impact.

Now, let’s talk about how Joan Jett got her start. Born Joan Marie Larkin on September 22, 1958, in Pennsylvania, she grew up in Maryland before moving to California’s Inland Empire as a teen. There, she dove into LA’s glam-rock scene, changing her name to Joan Jett after her parents’ divorce. At just 15, she co-founded The Runaways in 1975, an all-girl proto-punk band managed by Kim Fowley. The Runaways dropped four albums, but after their 1979 split, Jett went solo, moving to England to record tracks, including an early take of I Love Rock ’n’ Roll. Struggling to get signed, she teamed up with producer Kenny Laguna, who became her lifelong collaborator. They founded Blackheart Records, an indie label, and released her debut solo album in 1980. Jett then formed The Blackhearts, blending punk grit with bubblegum-glam crunch, and the rest is rock history. She’s a trailblazer, often called the “Godmother of Punk,” and her influence spans from producing The Germs to inspiring artists like Miley Cyrus.

Wanna keep up with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts? Check out their official site at joanjett.com and shop merch at blackheart.com. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest tour dates and news—they’re still rocking stages worldwide! Fans, you’ll love connecting with fellow Zoo Freaks at the Joan Jett and The Blackhearts Fan Club on Facebook, a rad community sharing love for Jett’s music. There’s also a dedicated fan site, joanjettbadrep.com, packed with discography, photos, and more. So crank up that volume, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep rockin’ with Joan Jett!