On November 18th 1981, exactly forty years ago from today, rock ‘n’ roller Joan Jett released her breakthrough solo album I Love Rock ‘n Roll. It was her second solo album, but first record with her backing band The Blackhearts. While Jett had already made a name for herself as a powerful female singer/songwriter/guitarist/everything else, this album skyrocketed her status to even higher levels.

Prior to the creation of I Love Rock ‘n Roll, Jett’s career was experiencing a downfall as she struggled to land a record deal after the breakup of her former band The Runaways. Everything changed with her sophomore record, which sold over 10 million copies making it her most commercially successful album. The popular title track, which was actually a cover originally recorded in 1975 by the English band Arrows, became a rock anthem from its release up until present day.

Watch Joan Jett & The Blackhearts perform I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll live in 1982 here: