That time Joan Jett told me she couldn’t picture herself slinging a guitar at 60

By Steve Newton

Back in January of 1992 I interviewed Joan Jett, who was heading to Vancouver on a tour promoting her eighth album with the Blackhearts, Notorious. You may recall how that disc opened with a pretty cool tune she cowrote with the Replacements’ Paul Westerberg called “Backlash”.

At one point in the conversation I asked Joan if she had any more plans to act in movies, as four years earlier she’d costarred with Michael J. Fox in Light of Day, and she replied that it takes too much time away from her first love of making music. The 33-year-old then went on to say that she might explore acting after she’s given up rock and roll, and that she can’t picture herself slinging a guitar at 60. Or 80.

Well, as well all know, Joan Jett recently signed on to open the big Def Leppard/Motley Crue stadium tour happening next year. And she turned 61 three months ago.

So I guess 80 it is!

Keep on rockin’ Joan. And have fun blowing Leppard and the Crue off the stage next year.

Have a listen:

To hear my full 20-minute interview with Joan Jett, subscribe to my Patreon page, a showcase for all the raw, unedited interviews I’ve done with rock legends since 1982.