Sixth Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival, Joan Jett Will Be Honored

Joan Jett has been chosen as the 2013 honoree for the Sunset Strip Music Festival, which will be held August 1-3 in West Hollywood, California.  The three-day celebration will kick off with a special VIP event paying tribute to Jett at the House of Blues Sunset Strip.

At the gala, the veteran rocker will be presented with the Elmer Valentine Award in recognition of her contributions to the Sunset Strip music scene, and she’ll also perform with her band The Blackhearts.  In conjunction with the start of the fest, the city of West Hollywood has decreed that August 1 will be “Joan Jett Day.”

Jett first came to fame during the 1970s as a founding member of the pioneering all-girl teen rock group The Runaways, who frequently played at the clubs of the Los Angeles-area hot spot.  She, of course, went on to huge success as a solo artist, with such memorable hits as “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and “Crimson and Clover.”

“The Sunset Strip is a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history,” says Jett in a statement.  “I never thought all of those insane times would turn into an award, but I’m very honored, and inspired to keep making music.”

As in previous years, the sixth annual edition of the Sunset Strip Music Festival will feature performances by a variety of groups at a number of local venues, including the famed Whisky a Go-Go.  The festivities will culminate on August 3 with an outdoor street fest featuring live music, beer gardens, food and much more.

A percentage of the proceeds raised by the festival will benefit the Music for Relief organization, which provides funds and aid to people affected by natural disasters and supports various environmental initiatives.  Tickets for the Sunset Strip Music Festival can be purchased now at Eventbrite.com.