Jimmy Jam (right) & Terry Lewis’ (left) hits are on full display at their Las Vegas residency (Photo Credit: Anthony Acero).
When Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis of The Time missed a concert performance because they were writing and producing for The S.O.S. Band, even though their boss, Prince, forbade them, they lost their jobs in their mentor’s organization.
Prince infamously told Jesse Johnson of The Time that he would not hear a word about Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’ writing and producing career in a year.
However, over 40 years after their termination, the production duo has a Las Vegas residency full of “Nothing But Hits” courtesy of the biggest names in music, from Janet Jackson to the late George Michael.
The show is filled with guest vocalists from Ruben Studdard to Ledisi.
“You never know who’s gonna show,” said Jam and Lewis.
The final show is on April 26.
Other shows were held on April 22, April 24 and April 25.
According to a press release, “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame—inducted hitmakers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis officially opened their Nothing But Hits residency at Voltaire at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas this past weekend, delivering a powerful sold out debut that felt less like a concert and more like a live celebration of the soundtrack of a generation.
“Anchored by a world-class live band and dynamic vocal performances from Star Search-winner Shanice Wilson and American-idol winner Ruben Studdard, the opening weekend brought decades of iconic music to life, seamlessly moving through eras, genres, and cultural moments that have defined modern R&B and Pop.
“Friday night set the tone with a standout appearance from Ann Nesby, who captivated the audience with a soulful rendition of ‘I’m Still Wearing Your Name,’ before lifting the room with the Sounds of Blackness classic ‘I Believe.’
“Saturday night continued the momentum with unforgettable guest moments from Ledisi and Chante Moore. Moore brought the crowd to their feet with her Jam & Lewis-produced hit ‘Chante’s Got a Man,’ before delivering a show-stopping performance of the Janet Jackson classic ‘Anytime, Anyplace’—a nod to one of the many defining eras shaped by Jam & Lewis’ signature sound.”
One of the first crossover success stories for Jam & Lewis was the youngest of the Jackson siblings.
Jackson’s first two albums did not do very well commercially.
Some of her first few songs were produced by her brothers, Marlon Jackson and Michael Jackson.
But when the baby of the Jackson family ventured to Minneapolis to work at Flyte Tyme Studios, the recording process took longer than Jackson imagined.
Initially, Jam & Lewis just got to know Jackson through conversation.
But when Jackson got a little frustrated with the process and asked when they would begin working on songs, Jam & Lewis said they had already crafted songs based on their conversations.
Jam & Lewis wanted their songs to mean something to the artist who sang them.
And although her father/manager was apprehensive about Jackson working with someone from Prince’s camp, her “Control” album set her on a path to stardom that sometimes got close to that of her most famous brother.
Approximately a decade later, when Michael Jackson wanted to work with Jam & Lewis, the producers were apprehensive because they did not want Janet to think that Michael had taken away her producers.
Likewise, The Jacksons have worked with Jam & Lewis, as featured in the reality show, “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty.”
However, that material has yet to see a release date.
A couple of years after working with Janet Jackson, the songwriters helped New Edition transition from teeny bop group to full-fledged soul balladeers on their “Heartbreak” album.
As they had done with Jackson, Jam & Lewis crafted songs about the members’ lives, such as “Boys to Men” and “N.E. Heartbreak.”
When Jam & Lewis returned to being recording artists themselves, it was a big deal as the original members of The Time reunited in 1990 for their “Pandemonium” album, as well as the “Graffiti Bridge” soundtrack and movie, starring Prince.
The original members of The Time released one more album, “Condensate,” under the moniker The Original 7ven in 2011.
The group could not use the name The Time because the trademark was owned by Prince.
Although Morris Day tours with a new version of The Time, Jam & Lewis periodically join Day on stage for performances at award shows.
Jam & Lewis released their first album, entitled “Jam & Lewis, Vol. 1,” in 2021.
The album featured vocals from Sounds of Blackness, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Babyface, Toni Braxton, Heather Headley, Charlie Wilson, Usher and Jerome Benton and Day from The Time.
With such an extensive resume, the real question is, how did the brothers select the songs for their Las Vegas show when they have so many classics to choose from?
Well, that is a great dilemma to be in.
