Joan Jett & The Blackhearts to Play at Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

Joan Jett

Legendary rock band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will star in the Saturday night Tecate Light Rock-N-Roar Concert, part of the 38th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach April 13-15.

The concert will begin on the Convention Center outdoor stage at approximately 6:45 p.m. Saturday, April 14, following racing activities. Tecate Light will also present the Fiesta Friday concert featuring two popular Hispanic bands to be announced. Both concerts are free to race ticket holders.

Jett, leader of the hard-rocking Blackhearts, is widely-known as an originator, innovator and visionary, with eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top-40 singles, including the classics “Bad Reputation," “I Love Rock “N" Roll," “I Hate Myself for Loving You," “Do You Want to Touch," and “Crimson and Clover."

“I love Long Beach," Jett said. “And I’m really looking forward to playing at the Grand Prix!"

In addition to being head of her own independent label, Blackheart Records, Jett has also acted in TV and movies, including starring with Michael J. Fox and Gena Rollins in the critically acclaimed “Light of Day" and playing Columbia in the original cast of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical “The Rocky Horror Show."

She has also appeared on TV shows such as “American Chopper," “Oprah," “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," “Late Show With David Letterman" and “Law and Order."

Her career has been defined by longevity, and her music has become a part of mainstream America. Faith Hill, for instance, sings “I Hate Myself for Losing You" as the theme for NBC TV’s Sunday Night Football, and her music can be heard in a wide variety of films and TV shows such as “The Runaways," which she produced, “Days of Thunder," “Flashdance," “Shrek," “Baby Mama," “Bad Ass," and many more.

“We’re delighted that Joan Jett and The Blackhearts will be here to entertain on Super Saturday," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “Their music has broad appeal and will certainly be a major attraction for our fans."

Jett began her career at the age of 15 when she co-founded The Runaways, a pioneering all-girl punk quintet. Today, Jett’s Blackheart Records label is home to such up-and-coming groups as Girl in a Coma and the L.A.-based Dollyrots. She is also a spokeswoman for PETA and a devoted supporter of the U.S. Military.

Saturday ticket prices for the 2012 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach start at $44 for a General Admission ticket good for all racing activities, the Lifestyle Expo and the concert. For $130, fans can purchase a three-day ticket that includes Sat./Sun. reserved seating in grandstand upper levels. Pre-paid parking packages are also available, along with handicapped seating, IndyCar Paddock passes, Super Photo tickets and a wide variety of Hospitality Club packages including the exciting Vista Club – featuring a nearly 360-degree view of the race circuit – located high atop the Hyatt Regency Long Beach.

Fans can select and pay for their 2012 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach seats, parking and paddock passes online at gplb.com. Ticket orders can also be placed by calling the toll-free ticket hotline, (888) 82-SPEED. Also featured on gplb.com is the latest Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach news, downloadable ticket brochure and racetrack information, photos and ongoing announcements of special race week activities. A printed ticket brochure that includes a circuit map, ticket prices, order form and other information can be obtained by calling the hotline.

Fans can also follow the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on Facebook at GrandPrixLB and on Twitter @ToyotaGPLB.