JANET JACKSON TAKES CONTROL...
On The Verge Of A Breakthrough: My 1986 In Person Interview With Janet...
Who knew?
Early March 1986, it’s a balmy day in L.A., spring is in the air and I’m sitting in a conference room at A&M Records on La Brea Avenue, walking distance from where I live - if I chose to walk there although back in the day, in ‘86, I took the 212 bus.
Hadn’t yet gotten to ‘taxi account’ money: it was no big deal for me to use public transport back then even though my fellow riders could not have known that I was on the way to meet a Jackson, as in a member of the hallowed family whose music had been present in the lives of everyday people since 1970.
Janet Jackson is 19, about to celebrate her 20th birthday just a few weeks away from the release of her third album for A&M Records. She’s already known to television viewers as a teen actress on popular shows like “Good Times,” “Diff’rent Strokes” and “Fame” but major success as a recording artist has thus far eluded her, with her self-title 1982 debut LP and the follow up, 1984’s “Dream Street” enjoying ecent sales.
No breakthrough until Janet, “Ms. Jackson, if you please”asks “What Have You Done For Me Lately?”….
I’m conducting my first interview with Janet and neither of us has a clue that within a matter of months, her recording career is about to move into stratospheric heights which will sustain her for decades to come, propelling her to legendary status in the world of entertainment.
She seems shy, a little nervous. The international department at A&M Records wants to get a head start on publicity for Janet’s all-important third album for the label; hence, writing at the time for Britain’s “Street Scene,” I am there to get the ‘411’, as in the details on Janet Jackson’s transformation into a young woman who is stepping up and taking charge of her destiny….
“I think people are surprised, even shocked at this album. I’ve always been perceived as this innocent young girl…”
© 2025, David Nathan/Blue Butterfly Entertainment Ltd. (UK), All Rights Reserved
Who knew?
From my personal collection: “Rhythm Nation” time….me and Ms. Janet, 1989….
Who REALLY knew?
Very fast forward….May 1993, I’m still living in the same building on South Dunsmuir in L.A.
My assignment is an exclusive in-person interview with Ms. Jackson, a cover story for the about-to-be-unleashed ultimately six-million-plus-selling album/CD, ‘janet.’
Her spacious beachfront home in Malibu is the setting: I’ve now moved into ‘taxi account’ mode. Two hours later, Janet offers to give me a ride in her jeep back to my abode…
Who knew?
A big thank you in particular to recent subscribers to my Substack platform! Since I initiated “The Soul Music Archive” just a few weeks ago, with reprints of rare and long out-of-print interviews and articles from my six decades as a scribe, I’ve been thrilled at the response!
I’ll continue to add to the archive: selected posts - such as this - will be free to all subscribers and others will be available as for paid subscribers with a preview for free subscribers.
With appreciation, respect and gratitude,
Soulfully,
David N
Now this is so cool! Like super cool! 😎