When did Joan Jett make bad reputation?

Joan Jett released her debut solo studio album titled “Bad Reputation” in two phases: Original Independent Release (May 1980) and Re-Release Worldwide (January 23, 1981).

After her previous band, The Runaways, disbanded, Joan Jett independently released the album in May 1980 under her name.
The album featured tracks recorded before Joan Jett formed The Blackhearts. She was backed by members of the Roll-Ups, including Lea Hart on guitar, Jeff Peters on bass, and Paul Simmons on drums.

Notable musicians like Steve Jones and Paul Cook from the Sex Pistols, as well as Clem Burke and Frank Infante from Blondie, also contributed to the album.

The original self-released version of the album was simply titled “Joan Jett” and was sold directly to concert-goers and record stores out of producer Kenny Laguna’s trunk. After Joan Jett signed with Boardwalk Records, the album was re-released worldwide with the new title “Bad Reputation” on January 23, 1981.

The title change was a nod to the bad reputation she had gained as a former member of The Runaways. The album received positive reviews from critics and reached number 51 on the Billboard 200 chart. So, “Bad Reputation” officially hit the music scene in January 1981, but its roots trace back to its independent release in May 1980.