The “Godmother of Punk” in this headline is Joan Jett, the Runaways co-founder who later built a career with the Blackhearts. She was born on September 22, 1958—not 67 years ago as of October 8, 2026. Jett did not found Riot Grrrl, the feminist punk movement that emerged in the 1990s, but the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame identifies her as one of the figures who helped shape it.
Who is the “Godmother of Punk”?
The label is not exclusive to Joan Jett. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s artist profile presents Jett as a musician whose sound joins punk, glam, and heavy metal with 1950s and 1960s rock and roll. Its account emphasizes a do-it-yourself spirit and resistance to conformity. A 2012 Guardian profile also calls Patti Smith the “Godmother of Punk.” The phrase is therefore a popular honorific, not a unique or formal title.
How Jett’s career laid groundwork for later women in punk
The Runaways and a challenge to expectations
Jett was a founding member of the Runaways, the all-women hard-rock band whose rise in the 1970s challenged assumptions about who could play loud guitar music. In the Hall of Fame’s Revolutionary Women in Music exhibit, Jett recalls being told that “girls don’t play rock & roll.” She also described the group’s place in music history: “When the Runaways first got together, we were pioneers — there weren’t any other women playing hard rock… There aren’t too many groups that can say they really started something — the Runaways did.” The quotation is presented by the Hall of Fame.
An independent next chapter
After the Runaways, Jett continued her career with the Blackhearts. The Hall of Fame says she independently released a self-titled album in 1980; it was re-released as Bad Reputation in 1981. That independent release is part of the story behind her reputation as an artist who pursued her own path rather than wait for the industry to make room for her. The official Joan Jett website maintains anniversary material for Bad Reputation.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- [COMPLETE BEGINNER’S PACKAGE] Open the box, and you’re ready to play. This beginner kits includes the DST-80 electric guitar, custom 5W amplifier, durable gig bag, capo, strap, extra strings, digital tuner, amp cable, picks, and access to free online lessons from Donner to help you grow and shine.
- [CUSTOM AMP FOR ANY GROOVE] The custom 5W amp offers Classic and Overdrive settings, plus a 1/8" auxiliary input to connect with media players or CDs for jamming along. It’s your ultimate sidekick for practice, parties, or performances.
- [CLASSIC TONES, ENDLESS ZONES] With its classic SSS pickup configuration and 5-way switch, this electric guitar delivers bright, dynamic tones—ideal for country, blues, and funk, and perfect for exploring timeless sounds. Tone and volume controls add versatility to match any style, helping you unlock your inner guitar legend.
- [BUILT FOR COMFORT] This beginner electric guitar features an ultra-slim, comfortable C-shaped neck and satin matte finish, plus an easy-to-use circuit system, premium pickguard, and vintage tremolo bridge for a smooth, natural feel.
- [PERFECT FOR ALL, UNIQUE FOR YOU] Whether for kids or adult, beginner or seasoned, this all-inclusive set is the ideal way to kickstart your rock journey. Crafted from premium Manchurian Ash with an open matte finish, each guitar is uniquely beautiful and makes an unforgettable present for any occasion, from Christmas to birthdays.
What was Riot Grrrl?
Riot Grrrl was an underground feminist punk community that began in Olympia, Washington, in the 1990s and spread beyond its origins. The Rock Hall exhibit describes it as a response to sexism and violence in a male-dominated punk scene. Its history includes performers and organizers with different roles; the Hall names Jett and Kathleen Hanna among the figures who shaped the movement. That framing supports calling Jett an influence, not a founder or a member of the movement by default.
How Joan Jett relates to Riot Grrrl
Jett’s influence is best understood as groundwork: her public example as a woman playing hard rock, the Runaways’ challenge to gender expectations, and her independent career helped make a broader space for women in punk. Riot Grrrl came later, in a different time and place, with its own underground community and feminist organizing. Jett and Hanna should not be collapsed into interchangeable roles: the Hall’s account identifies both as shaping figures while locating Riot Grrrl’s beginnings in 1990s Olympia.
Rank #2
- One Squier Debut Series Stratocaster electric guitar, Frontman 10G amp, a padded gig bag, a strap, a cable, picks, a guitar stand, and an extra set of strings
- Designed by the most trusted name in guitar and backed by a 75-year legacy of quality and craftsmanship
- This beginner guitar kit is perfect for all ages, and it comes with a free 30-day subscription to Fender Play which includes free lessons to build your skills by playing the songs you love
- Designed for beginners, the Squier Debut Series features the iconic Fender Stratocaster in three signature colors--Black, Dakota Red and 2-Tone Sunburst; this guitar includes a super-comfortable "c" shaped neck, laurel fingerboard and thin, lightweight body for more comfort and playability.
- The Squier Debut Series Strat features three single-coil pickups with 5-way switching that offers a wide range of classic Strat tones
How old was Joan Jett?
Biography.com lists Jett’s birth date as September 22, 1958. She turned 68 on September 22, 2026. The “67 years ago today” wording is not accurate on October 8, 2026; it would have matched her 67th birthday in 2025.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- COMPLETE ALL-IN-ONE GUITAR KIT: No need to purchase any additional accessories, this all-inclusive set comes with an amplifier and cable, a nylon carrying case, extra strings, a pick, whammy bar, and a shoulder strap with an attached pick holder
- ULTIMATE BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE GUITAR: Your electric guitar set comes ready to play right out of the box and is custom designed and hand crafted to convert vibration to a electric sound for you to embellish with fun features
- CUSTOM DESIGN: New model features a quality paint finish, custom black tuning pegs, and accented binding for a sleek, sophisticated electric guitar look
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR SOUND: Rock out and experiment with different styles and genres of music with adjustable sound to play anything from blues to rock; the tremolo bridge system allows you to bend the pitch as you play or use the removable whammy bar
- QUALITY SOUND: Custom designed and hand crafted with a composite fretboard and maple neck to convert vibrations to a rich, rock sound in your guitar with 3 single coil pickups, a tremolo bridge system and a removable, matching color whammy bar; OVERALL DIMENSIONS: 39"(L) x 10.5"(W) x 2"(H)
Rank #4
- High Quality Material: Electric guitar beginner kits comes with Rosewood fingerboard, Canadian Maple neck with “C”shaped profile, Solid basswood body, environmental pickguard, and the frets are polished by hand, which are very round and greatly reduce the damage to your finger.
- S-S-H pickups: Beginner electric guitar set has two classic Single-coil pickups and One Humbucker pickup has strong stability and increased the thickness of the sound. S-S-H pickups is suitable for a Texas blues/rock sound.
- Electric Guitar Kit : The SAYHA 6-String electric guitar has a pickup selector, two tone controls, a volume control, and a whammy bar. The removable whammy bar produces tremolo effects, and the tremolo bridge system allows you to bend the pitch as you play.
- Rechargeable MINI Amplifier: Electric guitar with amp has two tone channels (Clean/Distortion). You can get different tones by adjusting GAIN and TONE, which is more suitable for playing different styles of music. The MINI Amplifier is not restricted by the venue, easy to carry and play anywhere.
- The SAYHA ultimate starter package has full-size guitar & all the parts & equipment that they need to rock straight out the box. A perfect choice for novice & intermediate players. In addition, electric guitar for beginner adults teens has an ergonomic ST design and a striking high-gloss finish, which makes you fondle admiringly.
Rank #3
- PERFECT GIFTS: Best choice for yourself or as a gift for your dear friends. A perfect solution for beginners who want to learn to play guitar.
- COMPLETE ACCESSORIES: Come with 1x Electric Guitar, 1 x Amplifier, 1 x Guitar Bag, 1×Shoulder Strap, 2 x Plectrum, 1 x Tremolo Arm , 1 x Connecting Wire, 1 x Spanner Tool. An instrument you can use immediately after opening a package.
- SUPERIOR MATERIAL: The fretboard and face/back Material is made of basswood. This material makes your eletric guitar sound both warm and rock. Strong and durable materials will keep your love for this guitar for many years.
- PORTABLE GUITAR BAG: Equipped with this portable guitar bag, you can take your beloved bass guitar to class, perform, and play music with your band friends.
- COMFORTABLE TOUCH FEELING: Ourourelectric guitar has standard string spacing and smooth neck, which can give you a fantastic touch
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute
