Family, Fame, And A Father’s Quest For Fortune: Behind The Curtain Of The Jackson 5

Joe Jumpstarts Janet’s Musical Career

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In 1982, Joe began working on establishing a solo career for daughter Janet. She was 16 at the time and although she’d appeared on television, on the family’s variety show as well as Good Times and Fame, was about to become a major musical sensation.

Joe financed the recording of Janet’s first album and also served as her manager, scoring her a recording contract with A & M Records. Her debut album was titled “Janet Jackson” and the year after its release, Janet was the highest-ranking female vocalist on the Billboard Year-End Black Album Artists lists. Above are Joe and Janet in a 1972 family shot.