JOAN JETT: UNDERRATED

It's not that Joan Jett isn't well know, of course everyone know who she is. I just don't think that she gets the credit she deserves, as one of the best garage rock acts of the past few decades.  Part of it is probably because she hasn't been very prolific, and she seems to have as many complilaton albums as albums of original material.  Her last album, 2006's Sinner, was really good, she did an awesome cover of "A.C.D.C." by The Sweet. She does do a lot of covers - but no one complains that Aretha does lots of covers.  Joan is unique, I don't care if she wrote a song or not, when she sings it, it is hers.

She tours year after year (doing lots of shows for our armed forces via USO), but I've never seen her: I've got to catch one of her concerts one day.  I wish she still did her SIRIUS radio show (on The Underground Garage), she was a great host. She has great taste, she can roll with The Dave Clark Five and also Minor Threat.

Anyway, after the release of the Runaways movie earlier this year, she put out a new 2 CD Greatest Hits set, which is probably what you need to get if you don't have any of her records.

• The Classic Album: 1981's I Love Rock 'n' Roll
• Other Great Ones: 1980's Joan Jett (reissued in 1981 as Bad Reputation), 1983's Album,  1988's Up Your Alley, 1993's Flashback has some great rare stuff, 2006's Sinner
• The Collection: The aforementioned Greatest Hits, released earlier this year.
• Look for: a new album!

THE 12 GREATEST FEMALE ELECTRIC GUITARISTS

I don't read Elle that much. I don't know if I have ever read it, actually. But I like their recent list, inspired by the film It Might Get Loud, of the 12 greatest female electric guitarists. Some really cool ladies on there: Joan Jett, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Kelley Deal of The Breeders and a few others. But not PJ Harvey. I would have included her for sure.

GUITAR HERO: AEROSMITH - OPENING ACTS

Last month, I wrote about Aerosmith's special edition of the video game Guitar Hero. Now Aerosmith easily have enough of a catalog to fill up a game with just thier own songs. Add some of thier covers, you have about 100 great songs.

But it turns out that the band are using some other artists on the game. Some of thier influences, like The Kinks and Mott The Hoople will be included, as well as some bands who have opened for them, like Cheap Trick and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. This is according to Gaming Today.

To me, this brings up an interesting question: is curating a video game the new "guest DJing" for superstar acts? For sure, it's a good way to hook up bands you love, or bands you are friends with, with nice royalty checks.

I'm not a gamer, but I might check this one out.

JOAN JETT TO PERFORM AT THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

Like The Stooges, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts will be performing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, although they are not being inducted. 

Joan and The Blackhearts will be performing a tribute to The Dave Clark 5, who are being inducted... and whose lead singer, Mike Smith, sadly died a few days ago. 

I'm looking forward to seeing this year's ceremony. Last year, it aired on AOL's Spinner, after airing on VH1 for a few years. This time, VH1 Classic will be airing the ceremony (as one "commenter" has mentioned, thanks for that).