The Who has announced that it will be joined by a newly minted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame act, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, when the British rock legends hit the road for the North American legs of their 50th anniversary next year. Jett and her longtime backing group will be special guests for the entire stateside segment of The Who Hits 50! trek, which kicks off April 15 in Tampa, Florida.
“Having Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, a great American rock band, support us on our North American dates will ensure concertgoers a full night of entertainment,” says Who frontman Roger Daltrey. “I love her.”
Who guitarist/songwriter Pete Townshend adds, “We’ve been very close friends with Joan Jett for a long time. She is the real deal. This will be a great night of rock and roll for everyone.”
As for Jett, she notes that after she left her first band, The Runaways, The Who and their manager, Bill Curbishley, allowed her to use their studio, which, she says, “gave me the freedom to start my label, Blackheart Records.” Joan adds, “I’ve modeled my career and my company after their amazing organization. I’m so happy to be part of their 50th anniversary tour. No one personifies Rock and Roll Royalty more than The Who.”
Jett & the Blackhearts are scheduled to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on April 18, which happens to be an off day on The Who’s tour.
Back in July, Jett and her group joined Daltrey to perform at a benefit concert in Philadelphia that raised funds for a local hospital that, in conjunction with the Teen Cancer America organization, is building a unit geared toward the needs of teenagers and young adults fighting cancer.
The Who and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts will be in Kansas City at the Sprint Center on May 5. Get tickets here.
