In addition to losing opening act LL Cool J, Janet Jackson's "Rock Witchu" tour hit several snags this week when she returned to the Palace of Auburn Hills. The R&B/pop icon was asked to rethink some of the sexier stage moves which she performed for an audience that was smaller than expected.
Janet opted to tone down her racy act for her October 28th show to avoid problems due to the Michigan state law which prohibits simulated sex acts in a public performing space. According to Billboard, Palace officials approached Janet's camp with some concerns on Tuesday.
"We explained the law, asked her not to do it, she complied. We did not ask her to cut the song. That was her call," an arena spokesman said.
Janet's manager Kenneth Crear offered the following via statement, "Janet did not want to disappoint her Detroit-area fans again, so we adhered to Michigan's state ordinance and trimmed the 'Discipline' segment of the show so it would not be canceled."
To make the adjustment, Janet shortened a three-song section of the show which includes the song "Discipline." Normally the segment would include Janet pulling a male fan from the crowd, tying him down and "molesting" him as her backup dancers simulate sexual acts, including masturbation. Janet apologized to the crowd about the change during her encore before adding "We hope you enjoyed the show we gave you."
This week's Palace date was a make-up date for the Sept. 27th show she postponed last month, which may explain why the Palace (with a capacity of 21,000) only held 8,000 for Tuesday's show.The North American leg of the "Rock Withchu Tour" ends this Saturday at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Janet's tour has been plagued by low ticket sales and poor audience turnout. It this case I'm gonna blame it on it being a make up show, but I have to wonder -- the way some of y'all were stanning for her earlier this year -- when it comes to concert sales why aren't Janet's fans loyal as say, Madonna's?
While we're on the subject of Jackson tours, I may as well tell you that Jermaine Jackson told the Australian Associated Press that the Jacksons are going on world tour next year:
"It is just the timing, so what we've been doing is working on the music and all the logistics. It is going to be more like a family affair, Janet's going to open and, of course, the original Jackson 5...Michael, Randy and the whole family. We're in the studio, we're planning on being out there next year."
Funny enough, the UK Sun recently made claims that Michael has plans for a 30 city tour in 2009.
"Michael said he wasn't doing a Vegas residency but was going on a world tour, taking in 30 cities next year. He said he wanted to do it for his kids. He wants them to see what he does, and he wants to take them on the road. He said he was on his way to Los Angeles to finalize the details."
There's been a lot of talk about Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson tours in the last few years, so I'm not sure I believe these claims any more now than I did last year. I will be thrilled if the rumors turn out to be true though. Jackson 5's "Victory Tour" was the first concert I ever attended!!! If the Jacksons go on tour, will they be able to top Janet's "Rock Witchu" ticket sales? Is it a step down for Janet to be opening for her brothers? Does anybody care to see the geriatric Jackson 5 do "ABC" in their forties and fifties? I guess if Tina Turner and Cher still got it, why not!
