Janet Jackson has earned her spot as one of the top-selling artists in the history of contemporary, rock and roll and pop music, having sold over 26 million albums. Her legions of fans have waited several long years since Miss Jackson last toured, but to support the release of her second greatest hits compilation, Number Ones, Janet is embarking on her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal tour, and tickets are already flying off the shelves. Don't wait, get your tickets now and see the legendary Janet Jackson live in concert!
Janet Jackson was born on May 16th, 1966 into one of the most musically famous families ever to exist. As the youngest of nine children, Janet grew up surrounded by music and a '70's pop group known as the Jackson 5. Janet began performing at a young age but gained most of her early fame through television. She had regular roles on Good Times, Diff'rent Strokes and Fame but released her debut album in 1982 under her father's guidance.
That album sold over a quarter million copies based on the Jackson name alone. In 1984 Janet married James Debarge in an attempt to escape her domineering fathers grasp. She released her second album Dreamstreet which didn't do as well as her debut, and she soon had her marriage annulled and began working again under her father's watchful eye.
In 1986, Janet hit the charts with a new image and new material produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Her first single, 'What Have You Done For Me Lately' reached the top five on American charts and helped propel her new album, Control, to the number one position on both Pop and R&B charts. Another smash album was released in 1989 and with hit songs like 'Miss You Much' and three other number one hits, Rhythm Nation 1814 also reached number one on the Pop and R&B charts. With over ten million sales worldwide, her first massive tour was the next big step.
In 1991, Janet negotiated a two-album deal with Virgin Records for 32 million dollars. It was the biggest recording contract in record history at that time. A duet with Luther Vandross, 'The Best Things In Life Are Free', reached number one in 1992, and the same year she played her first major movie role on John Singleton's 'Poetic Justice'. She made her Virgin records debut in 1993 with the album, Janet. The album sold over 15 million copies and produced six top ten hits for her. She followed the album's success with another tour and then joined her brother Michael on the Grammy winning duet 'Scream'. Janet released a greatest hits collection in 1996 and re-signed later that same year with Virgin. Her new contract made her the highest paid recording artist of all time and put 80 million dollars into her bank account.
In 1997 Janet Jackson began performing as Janet and released her first studio project in four years. The Velvet Rope entered the charts at number one and the first single, 'Together Again' reached number one shortly after it's release. 2001 brought the release of another successful album by Janet. All For You was landed on the album charts in the top ten while the single of the same name was an instant number-one success.Most recently Janet has made the news due to a 'wardrobe malfunction' at the Super Bowl in February of 2004. She prompted moral outrage and a lot of discussion when her and Justin Timberlake's well choreographed routine ended with the bearing of Janet's right breast. Malfunction or not, it was great publicity for the album Damita Jo, which Janet released to phenomenal success in April of that year. Fans at the Super Bowl didn't pay to see Janet bare all, but people who buy tickets for Janet's next tour might have pretty high expectations.
