Joan Jett and the Blackhearts announced the release of I Love Rock ‘N Roll + The Shadow Album (Limited Edition 45th Anniversary), set for worldwide release on Dec. 11, 2026. The set will be available as a two-record vinyl package and a two-CD set, pairing the band’s landmark album with long-lost 1980 studio recordings. Preorders for the anniversary collection open on Nov. 27.
Ahead of the full set, I Love Rock ‘N Roll: The Shadow Album will be released on Nov. 27 as a standalone Record Store Day Black Friday exclusive vinyl LP in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This edition includes the exclusive live bonus track “Black Leather.” The recordings feature early renditions of “I Love Rock ‘N Roll,” “Crimson and Clover,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Bits and Pieces,” “Victim of Circumstance,” and “Love Is Pain.”
Recorded in 1980 at ODO Studios in New York City, The Shadow Album captures early versions of the tracks before the band formally recorded the final album. The band booked a one-hour session to perform their live road set directly to tape after playing the material on tour for over a year. Long thought to be lost, members of the Blackheart team recently recovered the tapes, which were restored by Thom Panunzio and Ken Dahlinger.
The two-record vinyl anniversary set comes in a gatefold jacket, while the two-CD version is packaged in a Digipak. The cover artwork was created by contemporary artist and OBEY founder Shepard Fairey.
The 45th anniversary milestone also marks several lifestyle and product collaborations, including a jewelry and belt line designed with London-based designer Hannah Martin. Additional fashion releases feature curated vintage T-shirts from Kelly Cole, knitwear from The Elder Statesman, and the Joan Jett Olympic Special guitar from Epiphone in a Vintage Sunburst colorway. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery will also release a limited-edition celebratory beer in partnership with the band.
Follow us on social media
Facebook • Instagram • Tiktok • Newsbreak
Visit our other sites
Finding Connecticut • Finding New York City • Finding The Hudson Valley • Finding Lehigh Valley • Finding Westport
