Joan Jett: Sexuality wasn't on my agenda

Joan Jett thinks David Bowie's "mystique" is a lot sexier than "putting it all out there".

The 56-year-old rose to prominence in all-girl rock group The Runaways and also has an impressive solo career, along with her band the Blackhearts.

Her fierce and outspoken nature has made her a feminist icon throughout her career, especially her decision to keep things more under wraps than some female musicians.

"I made a point in the Runaways not to play up the sexuality," she explained to Rolling Stone.

"The [Rolling] Stones, guys like that, can be more in-your-face. But there was a mystique about David Bowie - you think you know, but you're not sure. That's a f**k of a lot sexier than putting it all out there. Do your thing, play your music. People will think that's sexy."

The star thinks women are viewed differently than men, with the male species able to remain "viable" as they get older whereas women are seen as "matronly".

When it comes to her own sexuality, Joan describes it as "all-inclusive" with a laugh.

"These days, everybody writes about everything. They feel they have the right to know," she noted. "It goes back to that thing about not being bullied, not being told what to do. In fact, if you tell me what to do, I'm gonna put up a wall just because you tell me to do it."

Joan is a godmother to the granddaughter of Kenny Laguna - her co-producer, manager and co-songwriter for the last 35 years. But motherhood has never been on the cards for the raven-haired rocker.

"As I grew up, I thought about what it would mean," she added. "But I was too focused on my own situation. If you want to call that selfish, fine. But at least I know it. I have family. And I get by."