Football Flasher

Ever since her performance on Good Times back in the '70s, it was obvious that Janet was going to be much more that just another Jackson. Tito could never elicit the pathos and empathy that Janet did as Penny, the abused neighbor girl looking for a way out. She breathed...

By John Freeman

October 16, 2008

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Ever since her performance on Good Times back in the '70s, it was obvious that Janet was going to be much more that just another Jackson. Tito could never elicit the pathos and empathy that Janet did as Penny, the abused neighbor girl looking for a way out. She breathed new life into the last few seasons of the show and began her slow climb to stardom. Because she was a Jackson, it wasn't too difficult to get signed, and she did in 1982. Her first two records were lackluster; critics dismissed her as yet another Jackson with a record deal. Then in 1986, everything changed for Janet, and soon, the rest of the world. Working with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet blew the fucking doors off of pop music and became an instant star. Control debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and gave us such jams as "Nasty" and "What Have You Done for Me Lately." The girl had become a woman, and her albums had become works of funky art. It was clear that from now on her first name wasn't "Baby," it was Janet--Miss Jackson, if you're nasty. Witness her live at the American Airlines Center at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $49.75 to $124.75. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Wed., Oct. 22, 2008

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