Multi-platinum selling, iconic rock goddess JOAN JETT has been selected as the festival honoree at this year’s Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF), taking place in West Hollywood, California from August 1st - 3rd.

Since co-founding the pioneering all-girl punk quintet THE RUNAWAYS at age 15, Jett has continued to be an originator, innovator, visionary - and a pivotal figure in the history of The Sunset Strip. As with previous SSMF honorees, Jett will be celebrated at an exclusive VIP event Thursday, August 1st at the House Of Blues Sunset Strip, kicking off the three-day music festival. There she will be presented with the coveted Elmer Valentine Award and, immediately following the tribute ceremony, lucky attendees will enjoy a full live performance by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. In addition to the VIP reception, the City of West Hollywood will honor Jett by officially proclaiming Thursday, August 1st Joan Jett Day.

“I actually lived on the Strip, right across the street from the Whisky,” said Joan Jett. “The Sunset Strip is a piece of rock ‘n roll history. I never thought all of those insane times would turn into an award, but I’m very honored, and inspired to keep making music.”

This marks the sixth installment of the award ceremony and the Sunset Strip Music Festival, which celebrates the music and icons that have made an impact on the legacy of The Strip.

“It is my honor and pleasure to take part in inducting the first female music superstar, Joan Jett, to the exclusive group of Sunset Strip icons to receive the coveted Elmer Valentine Award,” says SSMF Festival Managing Director Karmen Beck. “We are delighted to celebrate Joan Jett who has so much influenced the history of the legendary boulevard.”

As the leader of the hard-rocking Blackhearts, Jett has had eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics 'Bad Reputation', 'I Love Rock 'N' Roll', 'I Hate Myself For Loving You', and 'Crimson And Clover'. She rose to fame in the late ‘70s, performing on The Sunset Strip as part of the all-girl band The Runaways. Jett was recently able to see her story told in The Runaways, a film based on (lead singer of The Runaways) Cherie Currie's book Neon Angel and starring Kristen Stewart as Jett, and Dakota Fanning as Currie. Jett was close to the project, serving as an Executive Producer.

Additionally, JETT sits at the head of her own independent label, Blackheart Records, produces various music projects for others, and has acted in movies and television, including 1987's Light Of Day, and in the Tony-nominated Broadway musical The Rocky Horror Show. She has appeared on such acclaimed television shows as Oprah (the last season) and Law And Order.