Janet Kay - Carroll Thompson

Janet Kay (born Janet Kay Bogle) was born in London, of Jamaican parentage.

Janet loved singing from a very early age and dreamed of becoming a performer one day. Her earliest inspiration came in the form of the Jackson 5.

Janet's dream became a reality when she was invited to sing a reggae cover of Minnie Ripperton's song, 'Lovin' You' (produced by Alton Ellis) which became a reggae smash hit in 1977. Janet recorded 'I Do Love You' and 'That's What Friends Are For' in 1978. In 1979, 'Silly Games' (produced by Dennis Bovell) became a hit in not only U.K., but also in Europe. Janet has been recorded in the Music Guinness Book of Records, as the first British Black Female to have a reggae song at the top of the British charts. The song 'Silly Games' got to the No. 2 position in the British charts. Janet also appeared on Top of the Tops several times.

In the early 80's Janet decided to write and record a soul number - 'Eternally Grateful' (Produced by John Collins for Local Records). Janet also recorded a cover version of Randy Crawford's 'You Bring The Sun Out' (produced by Jackie Mitto).

After Janet's musical success she decided to embark on an acting career and became a member of a theatre company (Black Theatre Co-operative), now known as Nitro. The early 80's saw Janet's debut theatre performance in the Black Theatre Co-operative's first musical (Mama Dragon). After touring in that, and several other theatre plays all over Britain and Europe, Channel 4 approached members of the Black Theatre Co-operative to come up with an idea for a TV comedy sitcom. That was the birth of the successful television sitcom 'No Problem', which ran for 3-4 years. Created and conceived by British Black actors, this was the first show of its kind.

In the mid 1980's Janet started her family and now has 3 sons.

Janet released a cover album 'Sweet Surrender', (produced by Lloyd Charmers) in 1989.

In 1991 Janet along with Judith Jacob, Suzanne Packer, Suzette Llewellyn, Beverley Michaels, Josephine Melville and the Late Joanne Campbell formed a group called the Bibi Crew. They wrote, produced and toured several theatre shows including 'On A Level' and 'But Stop, We've Got Work To Do'.

In 1991, 'Sweet Surrender' renamed 'Lovin' You, Best of Janet Kay', including a newly recorded version of 'Lovin' You' was released in Japan and became a massive hit there. 'Lovin' You' is as big a hit for Janet in Japan as 'Silly Games' was in the UK, although 'Lovin' You' hit the number one spot in the charts and stayed there for while. A successful Japanese tour followed and Janet subsequently signed her first ever record deal, with Sony Music Japan.

In 1993, Janet released a new album in Japan, 'Love You Always', produced Tony Gad and Drummie Zeb (Aswad). The success of this album created a reggae boom in Japan.

In August 1993, Janet went to Japan to perform at the 'Reggae Sun Splash'. The following year Janet had another successful tour of Japan.

In August 1993, Janet went to Japan to perform at the 'Reggae Sun Splash'. The following year Janet had another successful tour of Japan.

In 1994, Janet released her second album in Japan entitled, 'For the Love of You', with Tony Gad and Drummie Zeb, again, as producers.

'In Paradise' was released in 1996. The album was produced by Tony Gad, Drummie Zeb and Junior Giscombe (known for his hit single 'Mama Used to Say'.

In 1997, Janet recorded another album and decided to invite several producers including Omar, Jeremy Meehan, Shinichi Osawa, to create an album which would reflected her interest in other musical genres. This album, entitled 'Making History' was released in 1998.

In 1999, Janet was invited to co-write and record 3 songs for an NTV TV drama soundtrack in Japan (La Dolce Vita), along side Taro Iwashiro (famous Japanese composer). Janet also released her 'best of album', 'Through the Years', which included remixes of 2 out of the 3 tracks from the TV soundtrack.

Janet visits Japan at least once a year every year. For the last 3 years Janet has been the resident artiste for 2 to 3 weeks at a time at the Blue Note Club in Fukuoka, Osaka, Yokohama, Nagoya and Tokyo, playing to full houses twice nightly.

Janet has just recorded, and co-produced her 7th album for Sony Music Japan. It was released on the 18th June and is entitled 'Lovin' You … More'. The popularity of the song 'Lovin' You' in Japan is so great, that Janet was asked to re-record it yet again for this album (3rd time). This version is produced by Omar.

Janet has recently been involved in the very success series of 'Queens of Lovers Rock' show produced by the Write Thing Limited and Tee Productions.