A custom made cropped multi-color sequined performance jacket by Audrey Carter, owned and worn by Joan Jett in the official music video for “Dirty Deeds” (her cover of the AC/DC classic), on stage during her celebrated 1989 Broadway residency at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, and backstage at the same residency — where she is documented in this jacket alongside David Bowie, who attended to see her show. Photo-matched to the David Bowie backstage photo. Originally donated by Joan Jett to MusiCares. This lot includes the signed Joan Jett publicity photo from the MusiCares donation, the original Playbill from the Broadway residency (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, March 1989), and the original production laminate from the run.
Video Documentation
Photo-Match
This jacket is photo-matched to a 1989 backstage photograph of Joan Jett with David Bowie, taken during Jett’s Broadway residency at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The multicolor sequined embellishment pattern — including the distinctive gold-tone, magenta, green, blue, and black paisley and geometric motifs across the cropped silhouette — is directly identifiable in the photograph. David Bowie attended Jett’s Broadway engagement and was photographed backstage with her while she was wearing this jacket. A dedicated photo-match graphic is included in the photographic documentation accompanying this listing.
Historical Context
Joan Jett formed the Runaways in 1975, then launched her solo career and formed the Blackhearts in 1979. Her 1982 album I Love Rock and Roll produced the landmark title track, which spent eight weeks at #1 — one of the longest-running #1 singles in rock history. By 1989, Jett was one of the most recognized rock performers in America, culminating in her extraordinary five-night Broadway residency at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (March 1-5, 1989) — the first time a rock act of her kind had performed a proper Broadway engagement of this nature, produced by John Scher. The band for the run included Ricky Byrd (guitar), Kasim Sulton (bass), Sandy Gennaro (drums), Ronnie Lawson (keyboards), and the Uptown Horns horn section. The engagement sold out immediately.
David Bowie’s attendance at the residency and his backstage visit with Jett documents a remarkable intersection of two of rock’s most significant figures at the height of their respective careers.
Stage & Performance Use
The jacket was worn by Jett in the official music video for “Dirty Deeds” — her cover of the AC/DC classic — and on stage during the 1989 Lunt-Fontanne Theatre Broadway residency (March 1-5, 1989). It was also worn backstage at the same engagement, where Bowie visited after attending the show. The multiple documented uses across the 1989-1990 period establish this as an active performance garment from one of the most significant periods in Jett’s career.
Specifications
· Designer: Audrey Carter
· Type: Custom Made cropped bolero-style jacket
· Construction: Dense all-over sequin and bead embroidery on black base fabric; multicolor paisley and geometric motifs in gold-tone, magenta/hot pink, emerald green, cobalt blue, and black sequins; gold-tone bugle bead detailing throughout; long sleeves; open front; cropped hem
· Size: No size label present
Condition
Very Good. The sequin and bead embroidery is intact and dense throughout. The jacket retains its full construction and visual impact. Wear consistent with stage use and production handling.
Included Items
Original signed Joan Jett publicity photo (Blackheart Records Group): black and white photo signed in gold marker “Thanks for supporting MusiCares! Rock Hard! Love Joan Jett [star]” — donated with the jacket to MusiCares.
Original Playbill, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Vol. 89, No. 3, March 1989: Joan Jett on cover; includes full band credits, biography, and performance documentation for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts on Broadway, March 1-5, 1989.
Original production laminate from the Broadway residency: “Joan Jett and the Blackhearts ‘Broadway’ — March 1st through 5th — Lunt-Fontanne Theatre” on white lanyard.
Original unused fabric adhesive backstage pass from the The Hit List tour era (1990) — the same touring period during which this jacket was worn. The pass features a printed image of Joan Jett from The Hit List (1990), her album of cover songs on which “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” appears — the music video for which this jacket is documented. Unused: adhesive peel-off backing is intact, and the white fields designated “B,” “A,” and “G” (Backstage, Artist, and Guest access designations) remain blank.
2 photos.
Provenance
Originally donated by Joan Jett to MusiCares (the Recording Academy’s music health and human services program). Sold as part of the “Joan Jett Worn Jacket and Boots with Signed Photograph” at the MusiCares Charity Relief Auction (Julien’s Auctions, September 9-10, 2020, Beverly Hills). Note: The boots referenced in the original MusiCares auction listing are not included in this lot.
Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance
This lot will be accompanied by a Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance — a document printed on official Nostalgia Bandit letterhead, signed by Nostalgia Bandit’s principal, and affixed with the official Nostalgia Bandit embossed seal. The Letter of Provenance reproduces the complete final auction description for this lot in full, memorializing all provenance documentation, attribution, supporting evidence, and condition details as presented herein. It is designed to travel with the lot through all future ownership transfers as a permanent, platform-independent physical record of the item’s documented history.
Shipping & Measurements
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