Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee Joan Marie Larkin could care less about her bad reputation. However she cares about her bass players as evidenced by the innumerable, potent versions of Joan Jett’s Blackhearts on record and on stage  which featured the formidable talents of Kasim Sulton, Kenny Aaronson, and Joe Vasta. To my ears, the classic line-up of guitarist Ricky Byrd, drummer Lee Crystal, and bassist Gary Ryan was definitive.

Ryan’s, who cut a snarling rocker image on video and on stage, plied lower register passages which exuded harmonic and rhythmic movement within the constraints of three basic chords and a no-frills back-beat, anchoring such killer slabs as Album (1983) and Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth (1984).  

Kudos to Ms. Jett for her dedication, consummate work ethic, songs, and purist rock ‘n’ roll attitude. Nice to see that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame got it right and inducted the entire band.

Gary Ryan Sound & Vision:

“I Love Rock and Roll” https://youtu.be/wMsazR6Tnf8

“Do You Wanna Touch” https://youtu.be/DSqp-W1pWoU

“Fake Friends” https://youtu.be/Q9kZWlIgKyU