Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Mankato, MN

I love rock and roll, and I love Joan Jett. There's just something about this woman that oozes "cool." She's got "it."

I'd been wanting to share my experience of seeing Joan Jett and the Blackhearts live with my son Cody Coppess for a long time and we finally accomplished it on a night of all-female lead Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member bands. The Blackhearts opened for Heart on March 18, 2015 at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato, Minnesota.

Cody's evaluation was that Heart is musically a better band, but Joan is "way cooler." After my seventh time seeing her and second time seeing Heart, I'd agree.

Longtime Blackhearts guitarist Dougie Needles certainly fits the punk mold.

I wasn't able to shoot any pictures of Heart after a security guard decided my lens was too long and told me to stop. I understand that kind of thing isn't a new rule, but seems a bit ridiculous any more when there are thousands of cell phones taking video throughout the show.

Heart sounded great. For those who are wondering, yes Ann Wilson still has the voice. Along with their big hits, they did Paul McCartney's "Let Me Roll It," Aretha Franklin's "Aint No Way," and three Led Zeppelin songs as an encore which was really cool.

Check out previous pictures of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts here.

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Deadwood, SD

On August 2, 1998 the city of Deadwood, South Dakota held a "Welcome Bikers Party" as part of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were the featured band on an afternoon that went from torrential downpour before the show to beautifully sunny.

Don't miss more of my photos of Joan during this show and the many other times she has played in South Dakota at this link - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Joan Jett, Deadwood, SD

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts tore through a setlist of hits at the Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, South Dakota on Sept. 4, 2011. As Jett grows older she has lost none of the fire and desire that make her one of the top women rockers of all time.

Guitarist Dougie Needles was particularly on his game this night. Blistering solos punctuated several songs. Here he shares an intimate guitar battle with Jett.


I don't know how many years Joan has had this specific Gibson Melody Maker guitar, but I've seen it in action five times now and it's gone from pristine white to covered with stickers, to mostly worn bare and back to sticker-adorned again. You can see more pictures of it and Joan here at Chad's Concert Pix. A couple years ago Gibson was making replicas of this guitar so she was playing a new model on stage, but other than one 2009 show in Mitchell, SD, I've seen her play this exact guitar every time I've seen her live.

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Mitchell, SD

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts treated Mitchell, South Dakota's Corn Palace to a night of hot, sweaty punk rock on Friday, August 28, 2009.

With their usual minimum of stage decor (a large banner with the band's logo), the Blackhearts ripped through all the big hits and covers they are known for. "Crimson and Clover" and "I Hate Myself For Lovin' You" got great responses from a large crowd.

Not surprisingly with a new movie coming next year about Joan's teenage band The Runaways, several tunes from that era of her life were sprinkled throughout the set. "Cherry Bomb" has always been a fan favorite, but this was probably the first time in a long while for fans to hear "I Love Playing With Fire," "You Drive Me Wild," and "School Days."

Here are Joan and guitarist Dougie Needles.


Blackhearts drummer Thommy Price.




Despite a row of lights at the back of the stage that were causing Joan to sweat so much puddles were forming at her feet, she seemed to be having a good time and putting on the best show she could for the audience. I'm not sure why I could figure out that she wanted those lights turned off, but the lighting crew couldn't.



See older Joan Jett photos here.

One other thought - Any of you who are familiar with my tastes in music will recognize that KISS has been one of my favorite bands for a long time. It occurred to me after watching Joan Jett for the fifth time that her shows are pretty much the antithesis of the gigantic costumed, fire breathing, blood spitting, levitating drums, spark-shooting guitar spectacles that KISS does. Stripped-down punk rock played quick and loud is just as much fun!

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Deadwood, SD

Joan Jett again, in her short, bleached hair days. Deadwood, South Dakota from time to time has held concerts during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. This one was August 2, 1998.



It rained very hard about an hour before the show and I found myself huddled under a small tent with a radio dj and Joan for about 20 minutes hoping the rain would quit. It did and the show was held under sunny skies as you can see.



This picture was taken by Joan's long-time partner and manager, Kenny Laguna.

Joan Jett/Smashmouth, Sturgis Rally

More Joan Jett and the Blackhearts! This is August 8, 2007 at the Glencoe Campground's "Rockin the Rally" during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.
I saw Joan back in 1982 on the "I Love Rock'n'Roll" tour and she looked and sounded just as good 25 years later. This version of the Blackhearts band has been together for several years at this point and play really tight. If you like punk/hard rock, this is one of the originals.
Also, if you've ever seen Joan Jett, you've seen this guitar. She's been playing that same Gibson Melody Maker for as long as I know. It's gone from a nice white finish to covered with stickers, to the stickers being worn off from lots of hard use. Kind of like Willie Nelson's "Trigger" guitar that I've got some pictures of somewhere.









Opening the show that night was Smashmouth, who sounded pretty good as well. Here's one of their drummers.

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Aberdeen, SD

I'm not sure Aberdeen, South Dakota was ready for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at the Brown County Fair on August 20, 2004. Dougie Needles' mohawk kind of stood out in a crowd of farmers' kids, but the show was fun!
This was the third time I had seen Joan and the band, second time shooting them, and second time I got my picture taken with Joan.