Rock legend Joan Jett is taking a step back from touring this fall after undergoing surgery for a fractured vertebra, forcing the cancellation of two upcoming shows.
On Wednesday, August 5, a statement posted to Jett‘s social media confirmed the singer had undergone orthopedic surgery and would be sitting out two September dates while she recovers.
The statement reads: “Following a recent injury, Joan Jett has undergone orthopedic surgery on a fractured vertebrae and will begin the necessary healing process. In close consultation with her doctors, Joan will not be able to perform at her forthcoming September scheduled shows in Costa Mesa, CA on September 5th and in Louisville, KY on September 24th. While Joan hates to disappoint fans, she will be taking this time to focus on physical therapy and healing. She’s looking forward to delivering tremendous concerts for many years to come.”
The affected dates are her September 5 stop in Costa Mesa, California, and her September 24 show in Louisville, Kentucky. No further cancellations have been announced, and her team says the decision came directly from consultations with her medical staff — a deliberate choice to prioritize physical therapy and a full recovery over pushing through the pain.
For nearly five decades, Jett has built a reputation as one of rock’s most durable live performers — a legacy that traces back to her days as a founding member of The Runaways in the 1970s and continued through her solo run with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.
Hits like “I Love Rock ‘n Roll,” “Bad Reputation,” and “I Hate Myself for Loving You” have cemented her as a genre icon, a status recognized formally with her 2015 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She’s also been a longtime advocate for women in rock.
