The Time Joan Jett Gave A Guy A Popsicle That Was 10% Lemonade and 90% Pee

Categories: Off the Record

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See also: Top Five Greatest Female Rock Bands From L.A.

The author of Kurt Cobain bio Never Fade Away Dave Thompson just released Bad Reputation: The Unauthorized Biography of Joan Jett. The book claims to tell her complete and uncensored story, from her days as a 14-year-old berated by Runaways producer Kim Fowley to her solo career and work with the Blackhearts.

Though it contains more about her music than her personal life, there are a number of passages that really reveal Jett's character. Here are four revelations from the work.

You didn't fuck with the the Runaways.
One night at Jett's apartment, some guy was over and started messing with the band. They decided to give him a popsicle that was 10% lemonade and 90% pee. As the Runaways smoked a joint, the poor guy licked his popsicle and made a face. "This tastes like shit," he said. Without missing a beat, Jett responded, "You're getting close."

If she wanted something she was going to get it, even at the expense of her bandmates.
Towards the end of 1976, the Runaways settled in to record their new album, Queens of Noise. While the rest of the band indulged in the drugs and alcohol, the pregnant Cherie Currie had to abstain, leading to tensions in the band. Halfway into the sessions, she took a leave to get an abortion.

When she returned two days later, she discovered that the song that she had earmarked for herself -- "Queens of Noise," penned by Fowley discovery Billy Bizeau -- had been stolen by Jett, who had recorded its lead vocals while Currie was in the hospital.

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