Q&A WITH JOAN JETT

The New York Dolls, a 1970s glitter band, provided Joan Jett's introduction to rock 'n' roll at age 12. A year later she was learning to play the guitar and listening to Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. At 15, she helped form the first all-girl rock band, the Runaways, beginning a career that has thrived by breaking barriers.

The Runaways broke up in 1979. A year later Jett advertised for "three good men" and formed her band, the Blackhearts. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Show Me Center.

In 1980s, Jett also formed her own record label after being turned down by 23 other labels. Her first album, "Joan Jett," was the most successful independent rock 'n' roll record ever.

Over the past 20 years, "I Love Rock N Roll," "Crimson and Clover," "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah), "I Hate Myself for Loving You," "Little Liar," Bad Reputation" and "Light of Day" have become hits. She recorded the theme used for last years' Women's Final Four and recorded the X-Games theme two of the past three years. This year's tune was a speed-rock version of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."

The same Joan Jett who has a reputation making defiant, in-your-face music also performed a recent series of concerts -- including one on an aircraft carrier -- for the troops of Operation Allied Force in the Balkans.

The following questions and answers were culled from previous Jett interviews.

Q: How does it feel to be a female in a mostly male-dominated business and genre of music?

A: At first it was hard to be both sexual and still play hard rock. "You couldn't have both." When I was playing in the Runaways people called us "whores, sluts and dykes." "People said, Why don't you get off the stage? You're going to get hurt."

Q: Will we, the public, ever see a softer side of Joan?

A: You always see it. The question is, can you tell when you do?

Q: How do you feel knowing you broke down the gender barrier of punk rock?

A: I am proud to break down any gender barriers in the Runaways. For women to have a good sense of self now about playing music, it just makes me feel so good... When girls come up to me and say, "Because of you I did this," that's a really good feeling to know you gave somebody strength.

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island, what record would you want?

A: Tommy James and the Shondells.

Q: Is there anything you would like us to know about you ...?

A: I am not mean.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: "Cabaret."