Venus Zine Crowns the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll! Issue #44

PART 3: READERS' PICK

By Venus Zine Readers
Published: September 3rd, 2010 | 10:45am

joan jett

Nearly 5,000 of you voted and put Jett at a faraway first with Stevie Nicks and Ann Wilson rounding out the top three.

Widely considered to be the “Godmother of Punk” and the “Original Riot Grrl,” Joan Jett first left her boot print on rock ‘n’ roll in 1975 as the teenage rhythm guitarist for the all-female band the Runaways. At a time when girl groups were synonymous with freak shows and women with guitars were seen as novelty acts, Jett garnered international acclaim as the co-writer of the Runaways’ hit song “Cherry Bomb” and toured the world before she was 20.

After the Runaways disbanded and 23 labels rejected her solo album, Jett released it herself and became one of the first female musicians to start her own independent record label, Blackheart Records, in 1980. She went on to release eight gold and platinum albums and nine Top 40 hits with her band the Blackhearts, including “Bad Reputation” and “Crimson and Clover.”

But all groundbreaking figures aside, what’s significant about Jett is the fact that she not only forged her own career, but also broke rock’s glass ceiling to pave the way for generations of females and power chords to come. — Katherine Hoffert

Here’s what you said:

"Joan Jett, hands down, is the queen and the essence of rock ‘n’ roll ...and she’s still rocking! Joan Jett for the win.” — Laura

"My vote goes to Joan Jett. She is the only woman of rock still going strong and has never given up when the going gets tough. Her songs are iconic and have stood the test of time. Simply put, she rocks.” — Zinola

"My vote for queen of rock is Joan Jett. There is no other chick who has represented females. She inspires kids today like she did when I was a kid, and still has fans of all ages. Two of my nieces started playing guitar because of her. Joan Jett gets all of our votes, including my mom’s.” — Angelique

Be sure to check out who the Venus Zine staff and our Insiders think should be named the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll!

PART 1: Staff Picks
PART 2: Insiders' Picks