June 16, 2011 10:48

Joan Jett sues over planned Runaways tribute album

Singer says it was put together without her permission

Photo: PA

Joan Jett and ex-bandmate Cherie Currie have put a legal stop to a tribute album to their former band The Runaways.

The double album 'Take It Or Leave It: A Tribute To The Queens Of Noise’ was to be released by Main Main Records reports website IOL.

Among those paying tribute to the glam-punk band were Shonen Knife and New York Dolls frontman David Johansen.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. Jett and Currie’s lawyer Oren J Warshavsky said: "This isn’t about money. This is strictly about preserving reputation and quality that both Joan and Cherie are known for."

The Runaways broke up in 1979, but are often cited as a key influence on the likes of The Go-Go's, Hole and Bikini Kill.

Last year, Jett produced a film based on the band's career, The Runaways, which starred Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning.