Joan Jett

I Love Rock ‘n Roll

I Hate Myself for Loving You

Crimson and Clover

Bad Reputation

Cherry Bomb (To this day when I hear this song I shout out the words)

When I look back to my youth to see if there were signs of my gayness, I can honestly say Joan Jett was my first girl crush. I can admit now that what I felt was more than admiration though I didn’t have words for it at the time.

Back then I was hanging around my boyfriend’s garage band. They were very good at covering the great hair bands of the 80s.  I secretly wished I could do what they were doing, and I knew just who I’d emulate. In a genre dominated by men, I felt drawn to Joan Jett.

The thrill of watching her on MTV (you know when they actually showed music videos) was different than watching other videos. There were others that I admired as well: Lita Ford, Pat Benatar, even Chrissy Hynde. Their music was amazing and inspiring too, but something about Joan Jett just fascinated me.

I loved how she looked and moved when she was performing. I loved how she sounded both when she talked and sang. She was dark, defiant, loud, unapologetic, confident, and driven.

I found out years later that she is also queer, either lesbian or bisexual, which specifically is unknown because she still refuses to ‘officially’ acknowledge it to this day saying its nobody’s damn business and that even the speculation detracts from her art. She was a true artist and a total badass.

I never got to see her in concert, but I understand she is still performing so maybe there is a chance. That would be so amazing!