Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends Joan Jett and the Blackhearts announced the release of I Love Rock ‘N Roll + The Shadow Album (Limited Edition 45th Anniversary), arriving worldwide December 11, 2026. Available as a two-record vinyl set and a two-CD set, the collection pairs the band’s landmark album with newly unearthed 1980 recordings. Ahead of the anniversary collection’s release, I Love Rock ‘N Roll: The Shadow Album will be available November 27 in the US, Canada and UK as a standalone Record Store Day Black Friday exclusive vinyl LP featuring the exclusive bonus track “Black Leather (Live).” Preorders for the anniversary collection open November 27.
Recorded in 1980 at New York’s ODO Studios, The Shadow Album captures early versions of the songs that became I Love Rock ‘N Roll. The band had played the material on the road for more than a year before booking a one-hour studio session and performing the set live. Presumed lost for decades, the tapes were found by members of the Blackheart family and restored by Thom Panunzio and Ken Dahlinger.
“We put everything we had into these songs, and these recordings capture the excitement of finding our sound as a band,” says Joan Jett. “At the time, we were focused on making music we believed in and getting it out there. To be able to share this part of the story with our fans after all these years is so special. Knowing people are still connecting with these songs 45 years later means a lot.”
“We went in there, the band played live in the studio and we were efficient because it was just like doing the show,” recalls Blackhearts cofounder and producer Kenny Laguna. “When we were done, we thought, wow, this sounds great and came up with the idea that this would be the new album. We did some overdubs, and that one hour was stellar; it was kind of revolutionary.”
The recordings include early versions of “I Love Rock ‘N Roll,” “Crimson and Clover” and “Little Drummer Boy,” along with “Bits and Pieces,” “Victim of Circumstance,” “Love Is Pain” and more.
The limited-edition 45th-anniversary collection’s two-record vinyl set comes in a gatefold jacket, and the two-CD set comes in a Digipak. Its artwork was created by acclaimed contemporary artist and OBEY founder Shepard Fairey.
The anniversary celebrations will also include a collection of jewelry and belts created with London-based designer Hannah Martin. The collection celebrates 45 years of Bad Reputation and I Love Rock ‘N Roll.
Other fashion collaborations include curated vintage T-shirts and new designs from Kelly Cole, along with knitwear created with The Elder Statesman. Additionally, Epiphone recently introduced the Joan Jett Olympic Special guitar in a third colorway, Vintage Sunburst, available now.
The celebrations will also include a limited-edition, celebratory beer collaboration with Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. Stay tuned to Dogfish Head’s social channels for more information coming soon.
Additional collaborations and anniversary events will be announced soon.
TRACKLISTS:
RECORD STORE DAY BLACK FRIDAY EXCLUSIVE: I LOVE ROCK ‘N ROLL: THE SHADOW ALBUM
Side A
- Bits and Pieces
- Victim of Circumstance
- Crimson and Clover
- I Love Rock ’N Roll
- Little Drummer Boy
- You’re Too Possessive
- Be Straight
Side B
- Love Is Pain
- Nag
- I Love Playin’ with Fire
- Wait for Me (Live)
- Star Star (Live)
- Black Leather (Live) – Record Store Day Exclusive Bonus Track
Record Store Day exclusive bonus track: Black Leather (Live)
LIMITED-EDITION 45TH-ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION: I LOVE ROCK ‘N ROLL + THE SHADOW ALBUM
Record 1: I Love Rock ‘N Roll — Side A
- I Love Rock ’N Roll
- (I’m Gonna) Run Away
- Love Is Pain
- Nag
- Crimson and Clover
- Victim of Circumstance
Record 1: Side B
- Bits and Pieces
- Be Straight
- You’re Too Possessive
- Little Drummer Boy
- Oh Woe Is Me
- You Don’t Know What You’ve Got (Live)
Record 2: The Shadow Album — Side C
- Bits and Pieces
- Victim of Circumstance
- Crimson and Clover
- I Love Rock ’N Roll
- Little Drummer Boy
- You’re Too Possessive
- Be Straight
Record 2: Side D
- Love Is Pain
- Nag
- I Love Playin’ with Fire
- Wait for Me (Live)
- Star Star (Live)
ABOUT JOAN JETT
Joan Jett’s influence can be felt well beyond her storied music career. She is an icon in the truest sense, leaving her mark on fashion, style and cultural touchstones. She came up in a time when rock ’n’ roll wasn’t built for girls — so she kicked the door down in 1975 with her first band, The Runaways. It was the first of many iconoclastic moments in her life, including starting her own independent record label, Blackheart Records, after she was rejected by no less than 23 labels. She formed Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, earned a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and racked up 8 platinum and gold albums with 9 Top 40 singles, including “Bad Reputation,” “I Love Rock ’N’ Roll,” “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” and “Crimson and Clover.”
Jett remains a fearless icon and inspiration. With the 45th anniversaries of her seminal albums Bad Reputation and I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll, she is poised to influence a new generation. For more information, visit: www.joanjett.com.
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