Joan Jett Steps Back from Performing Due to Injury and Surgery

Renowned rock icon Joan Jett is pausing her music career following a significant injury. At 67, Jett suffered a fractured vertebrae, requiring orthopedic surgery and prompting the cancellation of her band’s remaining 2026 concerts scheduled for September. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts will not perform in Costa Mesa, California, on Sept. 5, and Louisville, Kentucky, on Sept. 24. Her team announced in a since-expired Instagram Story that Jett is prioritizing recovery and physical therapy, ensuring she’s in top shape for future performances.

In place of Jett’s performance at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, Cheap Trick and X will take the stage. Concertgoers can retain their purchased tickets for the new lineup or request a refund through their point of purchase. Meanwhile, the Bourbon & Beyond festival in Louisville will continue, showcasing acts like Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, and others.

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts achieved widespread fame since their inception in 1979, with Jett originally gaining attention in the 1970s with the all-female rock band, The Runaways. The Blackhearts penned hits such as “I Love Rock ’n Roll” and “Bad Reputation” and earned a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Their longevity in the music world is underscored by the release of their acoustic album, “Changeup” in 2022, and EP “Mindsets” in 2023. The band has maintained an active tour schedule, sharing the stage with big names like Def Leppard and Alanis Morissette.

Despite the physical demands of performing, Jett adapts her fitness routine to keep pace with her career. She expressed to USA Today in 2025 how touring has impacted her physically, noting the benefits of regular exercise and adjustments made after her shoulder operation.

While Jett rests and recuperates, her band remains collectively optimistic about engaging audiences in the future, maintaining hope that she will continue to offer spectacular concerts for years to come.