Joan Jett at 56: On Tour with the Blackhearts with a Stop at the Basie

Joan Jett celebrates her birthday today, born on September 22, 1958 in Wynnewood, Pa.

Her U.S. fall tour with the Blackhearts takes her to Red Bank on October 11th for a Basie Theatre show.

Last April Joan was the first woman to win the Golden God Award.

The trophy was presented to her by Alice Cooper:

Joan is not only a groundbreaker for women in rock, she also has been a leader with regards to her love of animals (she's now a vegan).

As she explained in theguardian.com:

Twenty years ago I thought: "What's the difference between eating a bloody steak and killing my dog, slitting him open and roasting him?" I've always loved animals but it was around the late 80s that I realised I had to go vegetarian.

Remember when Joan graced the stage as she headlined the Hawk's Wingstock 2012?

If we want her to return I say we bring on the spicy vegan buffalo chicken wings from beyondmeat.com at the next one! :-D

Check out photos of Joan that span her career at huffingtonpost.com.

Also, Andy Chase had put up a blog just before Wingstock after he noticed he was hearing Joan Jett music everywhere...check it out here.

Happy birthday to a badass rock Icon with a big heart for the animals!