Janet Jackson | The Debut Of Control Live

wwetvsports21
Aug 11, 2016
2 min read

The Jackson family is world reknown for being a legendary muscial family. Michael Jackson being the most famous, but int he 1980's Janet Jackson suddenly became the heir apparent to her brother. Many people forget Janet Jackson was also a child star in her own right when she played "Penny" on the classic African American comedy series "Good Times" followed by "Diffrent Strokes" with Gary Coleman.

America’s Penny hit the stage in the mid 1980's with something similar to what nasty funk artist Millie Jackson (no relation; not biologically, anyway) would sing to. The direction was made probably due to her two previous tries at releasing music which didn't fare to well on the charts. Janet also just divorced her husband and fired her father as manager. The song was truly an anthem for her to state she was now in "Control".

She found solace in making changes in her life with up and coming duo James “Jimmy Jam” Harris III and Terry Lewis. The album got released that saw six singles, including the #1 hit “When I Think of You.” Four others hit the top five: “What Have You Done for Me Lately,” “Control,” “Nasty” and “Let’s Wait Awhile.” It was around this time of year in 1986 when the song "Control" really made waves in America.

"I always remember one thing her dad said. He asked us, “You guys are from Minneapolis?” We responded, “Yes, Mr. Jackson.” He said, “Prince is from Minneapolis.” We responded, “Yes. He is, Mr. Jackson.” He said, “Don’t have my daughter sounding like Prince.” [laughs]

-Jammy Jam Talking about Janet Jackson's "Control" album.

When “Control” reached the top of the Billboard 200, the second and third positions were held by Patti LaBelle and Whitney Houston. It was a time before the likes of Rihanna and Beyonce when black women were making a stamp on America not since the likes of Motown's Diana Ross and The Supremes. Ms. Janet Jackson definitely help pave the way for dance / singers such as Ciara and the likes. She is a true trailblazer.