Songwriter/Producer Kenny Laguna Talks Joan Jett and Bad Reputation Documentary

Kenny Laguna (Producer/Songwriter) played or sang on 50 Billboard Top 40 hits by 1972. He's worked with Tony Orlando, The Ohio Players, Tommy James and more. Kenny is most proud to be the songwriter behind Dick Clarks' American Bandstand. 

Laguna met, and began working with, Joan Jett, shortly after the break-up of The Runaways in 1979. Working with Cordell and others, he won her a solo record deal and co-produced her solo albums including Bad Reputation (1980), and I Love Rock 'n' Roll (1981). He established Blackheart Records with Jett in the early 1980s. Journalist Jonathan Gross described Laguna as "Jett's surrogate father/brother/manager/mentor/producer.

In 1982 he also produced English band Bow Wow Wow's hit version of "I Want Candy". He has continued to work with Joan Jett, as performer, producer and manager, on her later albums and tours, and acted as Executive Producer on the 2010 film The Runaways, about Jett's earlier band.

On April 18, 2015, Kenny Laguna, along with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.