Joan Jett Sues Over Runaways Tribute Album

Joan Jett loves rock and roll, but not on a tribute album she says an ex-employee put together without her permission. The "I Love Rock N' Roll" singer-guitarist and ‘70s bandmate Cherie Currie sued yesterday to try to stop the June 28 release of Take It or Leave It: A Tribute to the Queens of Noise, an intended homage to the Runaways. The lawsuit says the independent Main Man Records label used their names to promote the album without Jett’s official OK and that a Main Man staffer who once worked at Jett's record label used that connection to imply the project had her blessing.

The two-disc album features Runaways songs covered by artists ranging from the all-woman Japanese pop-punk band Shonen Knife to David Johansen, of the 1970s glam-rock pacesetters the New York Dolls, according to Main Man Records’ website. While the lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, Jett and Currie ultimately just "want them to stop," their lawyer said. "This isn't about money. This is strictly about preserving reputation and quality that both Joan and Cherie are known for." (More The Runaways stories.)