Rockbrat Road Story: Joan Jett live at Birch Hill – Old Bridge, NJ, 28 Sept 1996

The town of Old Bridge is located in New Jersey, not too far from Staten Island, around 40km from Manhattan. It was also home to a live venue called Birch Hill - which me and the Cowboy made tracks for back in 1996. The reason ? Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. 40km doesn't sound far …

Rockbrat Remembers: Joan Jett Downunder 1995

Found this tour advert in an old magazine tonight (anyone remember the short-lived Rebel Razor ?) and I thought it was time to reminisce a little. Joanie had last toured Australia back in 1982, and although she remained productive, there was no big hit here to warrant a further tour downunder (ala I Love Rock …

Rockbrat Remembers: LEE CRYSTAL (1956-2013)

Lee Crystal, who played drums for Joan Jett & the Blackhearts during their most commercially successful period in the ’80s, died earlier last month, on 6 November 2013. He passed away from complications from multiple sclerosis, which he was diagnosed with in 1993. According to a post on Kayos Productions’ Facebook page, Crystal just “lost his …