Joan Jett’s ’I Love Rock ’n’ Roll’: Rock’s Greatest Anthem?

In the absolute, very first episode of Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole, hosts Butch Bays and Kevin Gibson debate the all-important topic of whether "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts is rock's greatest anthem. The 1982 hit launched Jett into her post-Runaways career, which landed her in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame on the strength of this hit and her other hits, like "I Hate Myself for Loving You" and "Crimson and Clover."

Topics covered:

• The guys introduce themselves and describe what the show is going to (attempt to) do. Butch is a graphic designer and amateur musician, while Kevin is a professional writer/author and (very) amateur musician. They are in a band together called The Uncommon Houseflies.
• Opening Ceremonies: The opening of the beer. The beer on this episode is Monnik Beer Co. IPA, the one IPA to rule them all. (No, Monnik doesn't sponsor us.)
• Tale of the Tape. Kevin has some problems with the opening bell, then Butch offers some basic facts on "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." It charted quite high in Sweden.
• First impressions of hearing the song for the first time, along with a bit about the song's video and some facts that might surprise some.
• Kenny Laguna gets some credit in Joan's career. Kevin talks about when he interviewed Joan a number of years ago and some of the things they talked about.
• Well known guitarist Eric Ambel was originally in the Blackhearts. Ambel collaborated with or performed in the Del-Lords, the Bottle Rockets, the Yayhoos and other acts.
• "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" was written and originally recorded by British band The Arrows. Joan saw the band perform it on a British TV show and recorded an early version with two members of the Sex Pistols.
• The song was considered by composers Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker to be a hit within a hit, given the story it contains.
• Joan wanted the Runaways to record it, but didn't get her way.
• Kevin and Butch ultimately toss out a number of songs that are candidates to be Rock's Greatest Anthem. Butch eliminates pretty much all of them without much deliberation. Some of the contenders include Queen's "We Will Rock You", KISS's "Rock n Roll All Night", AC/DC's “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” and several others. There's a big debate over the Stones' "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll," which gets credit from Merrill as being the inspiration for "I Love Rock 'n' Roll."
• Kevin relates an embarrassing introduction to the aforementioned interview. Luckily, he and Joan both got past the awkwardness and had a productive conversation about labels in rock, "Love is All Around" and other topics.
• Butch tells the story of how he proposed to Joan after a show in Daytona, Florida. True story.