Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966 in Gary, Indiana) is an African-American R&B, soul and pop singer and sister of pop, R&B and soul legend Michael Jackson. Born into a circle of relatives of show-business icons, Janet has gone directly to grow to be an icon herself.

Rising out of the shadows of her family to score world wide repute and such a lot importantly breaking away from the respect of just being Michael's child sister. She was born the ultimate of nine youngsters in Gary, Indiana to parents Joseph and Katherine.

Sometimes nicknamed 'Papa Joe' or referred to as simply Joe, Joseph labored exhausting hard work as a crane operator in Gary's steel mills. Before Janet was to be born, Joe was looking for his personal music profession forming the R&B/blues band, the Falcons.

They never were given as far as the most important nightclub in Gary. Joesph Jackson was also a difficult disciplanarian whose teachings and classes he instilled on his children would later be puzzled via individuals who have written books about him since.

While Joe was stern and gregarious, mother Katherine seemed angelic. For a time ahead of Janet was born, Katherine additionally held down a job working as a store clerk for Sears. Katherine Jackson surrender the activity as soon as she become a religious Jehovah's Witness in 1965. She was considered the one that 'kept the glue within the family' right through the in advance years.

By the time she was 2, Janet's older brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael had already began to perform live at nightclubs and theaters as the Jackson 5.

At the end of 1968, the band had signed to Motown Records and through the tip of the next year, the band recorded their first of four history-making #1 singles, 'I Want You Back'. By the time the J5 had achieved success, the entire circle of relatives moved out of Gary into the extra sunnier setting of Southern California eventually settling in a gated mansion they named Hayvenhurst in 1971. Janet Jackson was all but five years old via this point.

By the age of seven, Janet Jackson had desires of being a horse jockey after a growing infatuation with horses. However, Papa Joe had more on Janet's plate than for her to be a jockey. After the luck of his sons' profession had began to dwindle as a result of a changing musical scene, Joseph had decided to put his whole family to work as entertainers.

In April 1974, seven-year-old Janet made her public debut performance at a Las Vegas nightclub, with nearly all nine contributors of the Jackson circle of relatives (Rebbie did not join till a few months later at a distinct city). Janet Jackson simply became the megastar of the concerts emulating and imitating more than a few icons such as Cher and Mae West, in particular.

By 1976, Janet and the family's Vegas act had gotten the attention of CBS' Fred Silverman who was desperately trying to find a new variety act after Sonny & Cher had ended while ABC had the competing Osmonds family show that includes Donny and Marie.

Debuting on June 16, 1976, 'The Jacksons' debuted and the Jacksons changed into the primary African-American circle of relatives to have a wide range concerts on TV. The show lasted only two seasons and was cancelled in 1977.

11-year-old Jackson's talent was noticed by means of mythical TV movie producer Norman Lear, who was searching for any person to help acquire again rankings in one in all his groundbreaking shows, the family sitcom, 'Good Times'. Casting her as an abused child named Penny, Janet Jackson simply stole the show from the show's biggest star, Jimmie 'J.J.' Walker was the apple of Penny's eye each time she noticed him. Her dramatic and comedic acting ability helped land her a role as a starring member by the top of the 1977-78 season she may remain in the show until it cancelled for good in 1979.

Janet Jackson persisted her performing profession appearing briefly in a short-lived sitcom titled 'A New Kind of Family', which was cancelled in early 1980. In 1981, she landed a ordinary role on every other circle of relatives sitcom, 'Diff'rent Strokes' taking part in Charlene Duprey. With her love pastime played by way of Todd Bridges, who played Willis on the show, Janet, now 15, officially changed into an adolescent idol. She would depart the display in 1982 after her tune occupation began to take off. But she might soon to find herself back in the TV box by 1984 after her father ordered the 18-year-old to take the role of Cleo Hewitt in 'Fame'. She left the display in 1985 and closed the door of her TV career.

Janet always had an pastime in music, writing her first song at the age of nine, however she never aspired herself to be a qualified singer. Nonetheless, Janet agreed to participate in track simply to assist her family out. Her first-ever recording was a duet with baby brother Randy on a music titled 'A Love Song for Kids' in 1978. Janet may take part in her family's other recordings, specifically with sister LaToya and brother Michael.

In 1981, Janet and her two older sisters LaToya and Rebbie had sought after to start their own musical group, however disagreements between the older sisters pressured the band to disband earlier than ever making a record.

Janet Jackson is bringing her Number Ones, Up Close and Personal Tour to such cities as Phoenix, Chicago, Uncasville, Denver and San Francisco. As the title may suggest, this tour will focal point on selections from her "Number Ones" CD in venues that permit her to be more up close and personal than ever, eschewing the unique results of her previous tours. And Janet Jackson promises that each concert will include at least one special treat that lovers in different towns can't experience. Janet Jackson concert tickets for all Number Ones, Up Close and Personal Tour 2011 are now on sale.