Jimmy Jam Part 2: Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson & Prince - Working with music legends

Episode 22 - Part 2 of ‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ features legendary songwriter and producer, Jimmy Jam. In this episode, Jimmy talks about his work with Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and Prince. What is was like to record them, write with them, produce them, balance their personas, and more.
We recorded this live in Flyte Tyme Studios, and we’re releasing it in 2 parts (with a bonus part 3 only on KZbin). Make sure to SUBSCRIBE on KZbin and FOLLOW on Spotify, Apple or wherever you’re enjoying the pod from.
Here is Part 1 of the Jimmy Jam interview-
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‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, learned lessons, and focus.
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[@TCOLE-tc7vs]

Awesome interview. Nice work Elmo. Jam and Lewis have done many interviews over the years, but this interview was one of the best, it was intimate, there was no hollywood, it was like a living documentary infront of your eyes. It was personable and personal dialogue. Perhaps the best look into the history, their magic, their tools and their ambition. Excellent excellent content. Again, AWESOME work, Elmo.

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you! That means a lot.

[@yousefabdulshakour6412]

Im here to hear Michael Jackson stories

[@seanmarks6304]

Fucking incredible stories huh?? ❤❤❤

[@KnotPhound]

Jimmy Jam, the man who is famous for his long time work with Prince and especially Janet Jackson and you are only interested in Michael's story, who just worked with him once? Can't blame you much tho, everything about Scream is amazing and iconic.

[@derekwilkerson7142]

Of course why else wouldn’t you click!!!! 🙏🏾❤️

[@jsutigers8954]

Prince aka His Royal Badness 🎵🎵🎵

[@MonicaFranklin-mo9cv]

ME TOO!!!

[@OSMONDDEE]

Jimmy jam is truly a musical Genius

[@gowithelmo]

💯

[@BIGGEOFF40]

You could have done an 8 part conversation with Jimmy Jam and I would have watched every second of it as well. Thank you for this. I'm an old school Time fan and this was most appreciated. 👍🏾

[@lukewilliams7020]

What would you love to hear from new jam and Lewis material. Which artists should they be working with. I’d love more Janet stuff.

[@cmajor8802]

I've gained so much knowledge from this interview at 46 years old. Thanks Jimmy Jam.

[@stephengiese7549]

I have heard alot of their productions. If I was an artist I would trust them completely. Fantastic resume. He speaks very well. Uses emotion and humour. Great repoire between them. No negativity and no criticism😊

[@gowithelmo]

He's the best!

[@shawnjones4527]

I’m here for Janet & Mike

[@monicafranklin-nr1te]

Im here for MJ, THE GOAT!!!

[@Edward_Strong1982]

I love this interview! I remember Janet saying she hated that her and Michael was separated and barely saw each other while filming

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you!

[@3ver4fter53]

They were adults. If they had wanted to see each other, they could have.

[@KnotPhound]

​@@3ver4fter53 Wouldn't it be that because they were full grown adults with a lot of work to do they coudn't really see each other often?

[@3ver4fter53]

@@KnotPhound Well, they were shooting this video together and did not see each other outside of the set. MJ had volountarily cut himself from his family for a long time. Of course he had obligations, but he also had a lot of free time. The truth is he was spending most of his free time with 12 year old boys.

[@MonicaFranklin-mo9cv]

​@@3ver4fter53U don't know what he was doing because he was married around this time. And even Trump said he spent a whole week with Lisa Marie and never came out the room they were in for over a week. So quite trying to incinerate some sick shit that was proven innocent! Also, the Feds investigationed him for 10 years and said he was CLEAN!!! So know the facts and speak the truth or just be quiet!!!

[@Sotangy247]

A humble genius.

[@gowithelmo]

The best

[@melanindollface3666]

SCREAM is fire 🔥, I play Michael's music everyday and SCREAM is definitely in the lineup❤. It's such a bummer that they didn't get to perform that song live, so I'm so glad that Janet makes sure to put that song in her performances😌❤!!!!

[@3ver4fter53]

They did not even perform it together in the studio. They've never been close. Even during the shooting of the video they had their own team and they never spent time together. Michael and Janet had a business relationship. They didn't know each other.

[@melanindollface3666]

​​​@@3ver4fter53 They were together the first time at the studio, Michael laid his vocals down first, but Janet didn't wanna go after Michael lol, so she decided to do her vocals at a different studio. I really hate the way they management teams did them on the set if the short film shoot😕. Idkw kind of sick ass idea they management had trying to put them up against each other bc the gag is, no one was falling for that 🤦🏽. Simple fact being, they are brother and sister and they are both 🔥 at what they do, so no one is gonna say that one is better then other🤷🏾. I just don't understand why they didn't have the biggest voice for their project, bc I would've let it be known that, this isn't a competition and it will not be treated as such❤️. I'm sure it had alot to do with their contracts and etc, bc family or not, it's still business, but something would have to give in this situation 💪🏾. The fact that Michael was and still is the most popular person to man, he didn't really get to have a relationship with no one in his family frfr, he was always gone😬. At some point, I believe he was kept away from his family on purpose 😔, but at the end of the day, they all knew what kind of love they had for each other and that's all that matters ☺️.

[@3ver4fter53]

@@melanindollface3666 Their relationships had become strictly business and public image for a loooong time and they are the ones to blame. The Jacksons didn't know Michael anymore. They supported him when he was accused because he was a Jackson. But they did not have a clue if he was innocent. Michael, Janet and all the family have been raised in a fake business universe since they were children. They became fake people themselves.

[@robm8067]

❤🎵👍🏾What a talented class act! I first got into being a pop music fan with their work for Janet Jackson. Genius!

[@codychavarria6088]

I would love to hear all the tracks they had Michael hear and the rest of the unrelased film making screem, in the studio including a full extended vocal cut of Scream

[@mundann]

"Tabloid Junkie" was one of them I think

[@codychavarria6088]

@@mundann Tabloid junkie is one of my favorite songs. Wish there was an extended cut from them

[@wesclark6253]

THIS INTERVIEW IS GOLD!!!!

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you!

[@Slap_Shot1977]

I came of musical age right as the Minneapolis Sound exploded. Along with that genre and local alternative acts, I was lucky enough to see all these bands/artists play at 1st Avenue in the 80's: Prince &TR, The Time, Soul Asylum, The Replacements, Sheila E, The Suburbs, Tina & The B-Sides, Babes in Toyland, Husker Du, The Suicide Commandos, Curtiss A, The Wallets, The Flaming Oh's and on and on. It was a glorious time to be a local music fan.

[@plusizepopstar8010]

I wanted to know to the difference between the New York recording and the Minneapolis recording that was a great question. I Ive noticed the interviewer asked great questions unlike other interviewers that just ask surface questions this was a good interview.

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you! Means a lot

[@GTTg-kr2xh]

Woooowwwww - You made this music lover cry! You have unearthed history. New information because of the questions you ask - you listen to understand and you are a geek (in a great way). JJ was in nerd heaven. Thank you so, so very much. What you captured with MJ was amazing. I think many forget that he was a natural music genius. Thank you - thank you - thank you!! The WHOLE interview was amazing!

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you! Glad you loved it

[@DennieRazor]

Michael Jackson ❤️❤️❤️

[@robertj.batista]

Come on, another one that confirms that MJ had bass in his voice. There's a part of his record that she didn't use. If I remember correctly, I overheard MJ's vocal teacher Seth Riggs saying that MJ was also a baritone. It's interesting to hear how well the people who worked with him speak.

[@lemmonharris6117]

As a hardcore JAM& LEWIS fan I know the first song they released for SOS Band was "HIGH HOPES"

[@TheRomeerome]

Bro, you're interviewer skills are phenomenal. Great job!

[@gowithelmo]

I appreciate that! Much love

[@lesliem2444]

I love these MJ ❤and Janet stories so much ohh and the Time stuff is Amazing so good

[@gowithelmo]

Glad you like them!

[@mockmywords]

As a long time janet fanatic I love hearing these stories ❤❤❤❤❤

[@gowithelmo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jerryjaguar3239]

I am soooo curious to know more about the process of the unbreakable album. It is the least known amongst all of Janet's albums and is lyrically the most thought provoking

[@StrangerInAustralia]

Jimmy did an interview with Kelly Alexander about the album. It certainly doesn't answer all of the questions I'd like asked, but there are some fantastic insights.

[@gowithelmo]

Hopefully we can ask him about it next time!

[@jerryjaguar3239]

@@StrangerInAustralia I saw that and it was exceptional however he didn't quote on a couple of tracks that were lyrically like woahhh

[@udharadesilva3924]

Link? Would love to check it out

[@omarjalloh6848]

Agreed!!!

[@mscapricorn-ce1pl]

And those of us who took music classes in school(for many years) are used to the teachers being critical! Then, when a person has a job, their boss is critical! Plain and simple!

[@thatswhatusdovesdo]

Im here because of this damm rabbit hole the reverend threw me down and loving it ❤ mad love on the way down

[@GQLewis]

I only met Jam once in my life at a music conference many years ago in Minneapolis. May God continue to bless you, your family, and you do brother. Keep sharing that sage advice and inspiring words of wisdom.

[@WayneMorrison1069]

Amazing interview! So much great history and information. Thank you so much for sharing this. Jimmy Jam has not only been a great musician, producer, and arranger, he is a great human. Salute to him and Terry. Continued blessings and success.

[@DatDamKeyid]

I met JJ at the mall of American at the old Hard Rock Cafe during tiger woods auction. I ate with Jesse Ventura.

[@rxno6921]

shout out to Terry for Standing up for Jimmy Jam.

[@daveydcxcix]

I love that you guys didn’t go right back to Prince, love him but his firing was total liberation and totally God’s Plan. You guys have helped make the world a better place. When I see a video or song from the Flyte Tyme , camp it makes my soul happy!

[@craigheard2504]

Thank you. This was great!

[@donovan6717]

So amazing!!

[@matthewshell]

Love this interview (as well as part 1).

[@Kay-fv7cw]

Great interview!! 👏🏽

[@mynameisnotslick]

Absolute mastered

[@corneliuswhite5139]

This was great! Thank you

[@DelHannah-yh2km]

I love the stories! Jam & Lewis are legends! ❤

[@Kiddo1814yeah]

Jimmy jam is my hero ❤

[@mscapricorn-ce1pl]

Great interview!

[@Surferswave]

This the best interview of seen of a musician in a long time you ask great questions Artist/fans want to 👂

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you! That means a lot

[@chicnwafflesband]

LOVE all of this. Big thank you to Jam & Lewis for all the inspiration and to Elmo thank you so much!

[@gowithelmo]

Our pleasure!

[@Bashanvibe]

this man has a lot of nuggets he was dropping!!! I hope the universe will allow us to cross paths soon before its too late!!!!

[@youngkeys]

Here for the Prince story I’ve heard 100 times already

[@gigigiseleworld]

A very good interview. ✨🎶✨

[@constanceelise2986]

Great interview

[@lewhill2]

I love these interviews… shining the light on the funk

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you!

[@sarahj9138]

Really enjoyed this interview. Didn’t want it to end. 👍

[@gowithelmo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thomasyarnall999]

WOW!

[@marywilson6354]

Great interview . He tells great stories love jimmy jam my best friend want to be just like him he played the same instrument as jimmy jim and dress like him , he can me his janet jackson we worked on music together i miss him so music rih 😇😪J. Somebody his stage name . ❤️❤️

[@lazorisbriggs3468]

EXCELLENT INTERVIEW LOVE THAT GUY🙏🏾

[@gowithelmo]

🎉🎉

[@user-dt3nm3vh8j]

I love jimmy jams' music 🎵🎶🎶🎵🎵🎵

[@tyvanhworkout]

Yes!! Got the Quin Martin production and Epilogue reference!! LOL! Also, loved the story of how they were fired then went back to the studio to finish production...so cool!!

[@user-dt3nm3vh8j]

I hope we can hear another Janet-michael collab one day

[@scottsimons295]

I love jams comment about, prays with the same energy you complain with. That’s what I do. Give credit, where, and when it is due. Thank you for that brother. :-)

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

11:00 This is the thing about getting this behind the scenes stuff...I feel like I haven't even REALLY heard 'Scream' after hearing this!! Love this stuff. Thanks!

[@gowithelmo]

Happy to hear!

[@juanitadowd2885]

I so loved this vlog. Learning the history of Jimmy Jam and Terry and some of my favorite artist was a precious gift. Thank you for the walk down memory lane with Jimmy and all the pearls of wisdom for work ethic. Great interview. ❤❤❤

[@gowithelmo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@geraldnelson742]

I met Mike in South Lake Tahoe in 75’ he was so cool! We talked for over an hour! Miss him big time!

[@ocraynardcollins6689]

Good interview

[@ScottWozniak]

Jimmy's one of my favorite people in music. Always so positive and sharing. Thank you! ❤

[@gowithelmo]

Thanks for listening

[@cheylyons23]

Awesome!!!! Learned so Much!!!! And you guys just kicked it with so much ease!!!!!! Again Awesome!!!! They say never meet your Heroes, Jam is the Hero you want to meet!!!! Thank you both for the insight!!!!!

[@gowithelmo]

Happy to hear! It's our pleasure

[@MrRemcoLamberts]

Jimmy just is an incredible person, musical genius, as well as being a role model and advocate for artists and others in the complex and ever evolving music industry. It is also fascinating to see how grounded, dedicated and humble professionals like Jimmy and Nile Rodgers are (always bringing out the best in artists they work with). I thoroughly enjoyed part 1, 2 and the studio tour (a must see!!❤). Thanks so much for this.

[@markmalonson7531]

Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis and the all masters. Thank you for the video.

[@marvinjones5202]

GENIUS RIGHT HERE

[@gowithelmo]

100%!!

[@BrenJen86]

This was such a great interview!

[@TheRomeerome]

Facts🔥

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you! Much love

[@rodneyjones2357]

Jimmy jam still working with artists.

[@KamaalMalak_musicman]

Great interview!!!

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you!

[@jackson-ch]

Very interesting interview! Jimmy Jam talks about his incredible experiences and the creation of all these great tunes.

[@williegriggs9238]

Absolutely top tier interview with an all time legend. New subscriber here!

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you! Welcome to the channel!

[@johnmoore4714]

The prince4ever7 the influence is enormous for Jimmy and Terry.

[@deeriley9976]

being from minneapolis growing up to jam and lewis knowing them its an honor❤❤

[@gowithelmo]

[@cristianonascimentocrhis7093]

MJ KING

[@jayjohnson9894]

Wow, Jimmy Jam, one of my favorite producers He's channeled my new perspective of producing My goal now is to out work other producers in order to achieve my level/goal of success 🎼🎹🍽😎🙏

[@pamelabailey6509]

Amazing ❤❤❤

[@user-dt3nm3vh8j]

Michael Jam!!!...

[@sunnynwachukwu3047]

This Guy, Terry Lewis is incredible. Lovely, peaceful, godly; you name it. Love you Bro.

[@Beastmond]

Great interview! 🔥🔥🔥

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you!

[@KeepOnChasingLights5]

Jimmy jam & Terry Lewis are my favorite producers of all time🥹💛

[@kerry2921]

No they're not Baby face is

[@fromnaturewithin]

YES BROTHER THANK YOUUU AND BLESS YOUR CHANNEL, YOUR LOVE FOR THE DETAIL IN THE MUSIC/INDUSTRY - LOOKING FORWARD TO THE STUDIO TOUR!

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you! The studio tour is up on the Jammcard KZbin channel. Check it out!

[@FonkAroundMusic]

Can listen to Jimmy J all day 👑 🐐

[@kcreative7293]

I absolutely love Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.............GOAT's of the music industry and overall great people

[@mrmaxxx94]

Jimmy jam stays so cool and matter of fact. He is a pro and while he respects artists etc.. he aint ego tripping. He and prince had that love and dislike thing. Respect was there however Jam wasn't gonna be punked by prince or nobody else and the irony is he is a huge prince fan. Michael jackson got that old 1985 groove and sound jam and lewis did back in the day. Mixed results on them working with MJ. As for Janet Jackson they were a perfect match

[@kurtadams3021]

ICON

[@ielijahmccoy]

Love Jimmy Jam (AND Terry Lewis). Great Interview. AMAZING Storyteller. :)

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you! Jimmy is the man

[@ielijahmccoy]

@@gowithelmo He Certainly is! Along with the Legendary Terry Lewis. Matter of Fact, I'm bout to go put on Janet Jackson's 'This Time' from the 'Janet' Album (my favorite album of hers btw). I been playin' that shit on repeat lately! #classic

[@sonnyblackprod]

Part 3 please!

[@gowithelmo]

Coming next week ;)

[@RexGarvin-oq3ev]

Fantastic Story From A Fantastic Gifted Artist! The Son Of Cornbread Harris! Awesome!

[@gowithelmo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@beingheardmedia6339]

I can't even make it all the way through this without stopping to comment. Can ANYONE possibly fathom being in a family with THOSE two and not feeling like chopped liver? 😄😃 I mean OMG no matter what you do, it's still going to be compared to this dual tsunami talent. Like why bother? Lol - I'd have to give up music entirely and go be a mathematician or something cause these two - Janet and Michael - have it all on LOCK. God bless Tito, Jermaine, et al. Sorry boys. And Janet is just ASTOUNDING to have been able to carve her own musical lane after growing up watching Michael. That takes SERIOUS cajones.

[@shawnjones4527]

And that’s the biggest part that people tend to forget; so many people like to say she road the coattails of Mike’s success and nothing could be further from the truth. To be able to be a superstar in her own right when your brother is the King of Pop, makes her a badass Queen of Pop! And she’s broken many of his records; and she still holds the record for most consecutive top 10 hits and RN is the only album to have 7 top 5 hits. When people would say these things about JJ, I’d say how come Latoya’s music career wasn’t as successful or Jackie’s. Jermaine is talented as well and had modest success.

[@codychavarria6088]

No one is spending that kind of money for videos unless it's MJ and short films, and there's no more innovation or pushing the limits, now that he has passed

[@TaurusCurrie]

I’ve seen a number of jam and Lewis interviews. Will someone ever please bring up the Angel Grant album. It’s so freaking amazing and never talked about.

[@Bfelt76]

The music in the intro is🔥🔥🔥

[@gowithelmo]

Thanks! It is The Lesson GK

[@Bfelt76]

What’s the name of the track?

[@Bfelt76]

Found it!! Great interview btw!

[@sonofselmotwo6008]

my cousin and i had sent a demo tape to flyte tyme back in the mid nineties. they responded via a professional letter (letterhead and all) saying we were not what they were looking for at the time. i have it framed to this day...

[@juliusthompson9306]

😂😂😂😂"Can i get a hotdog on a stick?"

[@gowithelmo]

So good 😭😂😂

[@mansa1325]

Work ethic and groove...are what you've learned. Janet Jackson owes Prince a debt of gratitude. Her whole 1st album are Prince riffs.

[@00sbabyoldschoolspirit80]

@mansa1325 Control wasn't janet's frist album it's her third album. shes always giving prince his credit (more so during that time period and sometimes even now when asked.)and talked about at one time being a fan of him and the time.Also if you say janet owns him credit you would have to say all the artist jam and lewis worked with.All Jam and Lewis did was put what they learned from prince and helped create with prince and the time together and made their own sound.

[@mansa1325]

@@00sbabyoldschoolspirit80 excuse me 2nd album. Jam and Lewis didn't help Prince create nothing. In fact he trained them in musicology.

[@lemwahs]

​@@mansa1325It was her third album "Control".

[@funkpill]

1. Janet Jackson 2. Dream Street 3. CONTROL

[@ethiobeat360]

Just subscribed

[@gowithelmo]

Thank you! Welcome to the channel

[@lleo8477]

Runaway is my second favorite Janet song.

[@ratethewordplay]

💎💎💎💎💯🙌

[@stringsnare]

fascinating to hear him speak about presets!

[@gowithelmo]

Right? Love that he uses the presets or moves on from the board

[@stringsnare]

yeah that surprised me@@gowithelmo

[@stringsnare]

but it makes sense if you think about a lot of 90s music was made of famous presets like the m1 organ

[@Behnan]

For yeeaaaarrss I liked to know how they make the intro bass of scream … but I guess I am the only one about that bass that blew me away on the history tour and never had that experience again … and heard - that kind of bass again

[@gowithelmo]

I'll try and ask next time

[@Behnan]

@@gowithelmo would be awesome :)... I don't hear that kind of bass anywhere else...I tell you, the next interview partner need to be Brad Buxer when it comes to producing MJ records in the 90s! with lot of AKAI MPC 3000 and EMU III....Jimmy was the genius for the record, and the bass on the history tour came from Buxer, ...that bass was live surreal af, can't believe he just shot the sample

[@Toppart]

He wanted Terry back and not Jam. Jam immediately walked out after hearing they were fired. Terry tried to reason with him which is what Prince wanted Jam to do. He knew Jam would never ask to come back. Prince liked to control people when he was younger. Trying to protect the Minneapolis sound sounds thin to me. Musicians can duplicate should they incline to do so. There is nothing new under the Sun. The sound was unique and has stood the test of time for that era.

[@marywilson6354]

Jimmy jam looks younger in this inview on the janet documentary he looked much older to me .