Todd Oldham: Joan Jett (AMMO)

Todd Oldham

Joan Jett

Published by AMMO

Aug 08, 2010 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

Its release coinciding with the recent Runaways movie starring Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart, Joan Jett provides a vivid visual history and as-told-to autobiography of the woman who opened so many doors for female rock musicians since the 1970s. Created by fashion designer/artist Todd Oldham, the book pairs stunning pictures from throughout Jett's career with text taken from interviews dating from 2010 back to Jett's Runaways days. As such, the narrative is split into chapters covering different eras of Jett's life or themes regarding her art: her early years, forming The Runaways, going solo, female empowerment, her feelings on producing, gear, videos, etc.

Despite some choice anecdotes—such as the one about Jett having to sell her debut solo album out of the trunk of her car due to labels' not taking interest—Jett's narratives are filled with much cliché and little true revelation. Instead, the pictures seem to do all the talking. Combining ephemera like Jett's rejection letter from the Vice President of A+R at A&M Records and hand-written lyrics to The Runaways' "Cherry Bomb," with brilliant photos of Jett from throughout all stages of her career, the visuals here tell the real story, and in doing so, Joan Jett becomes a wonderful companion piece to the movie. (www.ammobooks.com)

Author rating: 6/10

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Average reader rating: 7/10