Posted Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:55:46 GMT

Vertigo-Stricken Janet Resumes Her Tour

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WASHINGTON (Oct. 16) - Janet Jackson took the stage to explodingfireworks, clouds of smoke and the sounds of some early hitsWednesday in her first concert since she was sidelined for twoweeks by a bout of vertigo.

Sporting a huge mohawk and light-colored body suit, theGrammy-winning performer opened with "Pleasure Principle,"followed by "What Have You Done for Me Lately" from her 1986album "Control." Soon after, she sang her latest single,"Feedback."

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Janet Jackson in Action

** FILE ** In this Sept. 23, 2008 file photo, singer Janet Jackson and record producer Jermaine Dupri arrive at a private party celebrating Dupri's 36th birthday in New York. (AP Photo/Andy Kropa, file)

** FILE ** In this Oct. 17, 2008 file photo, Janet Jackson performs in a concert during her "Rock Witchu" tour in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, file)

(FILES) US singer Janet Jackson (L) has her breast exposed while singing with Justin Timberlake (R) during the half-time of Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium in this February 1, 2004 file photo in Houston, Texas. The US government has asked the Supreme Court to reimpose a half-million-dollar fine slapped on CBS television for a 2004 broadcast of live images of pop star Janet Jackson's breast, court documents obtained by AFP show. It is up to the Supreme Court to decide whether it will consider the request. Prosecutors are asking the high court justices to weigh in on a case that raised eyebrows and stirred passions in the United States, where nudity on non-pay television is a no-no in advertising, while rare and limited to late-night hours in television series. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Singer Janet Jackson attends the landmark Grand Opening of Atlantis, The Palm Resort, and the Palm Jumeirah on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Singer Janet Jackson and producer Jermaine Dupri attend the landmark Grand Opening of Atlantis, The Palm Resort, and the Palm Jumeirah on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Jermaine Dupri, Janet Jackson and Sir Richard Branson attend the landmark Grand Opening of Atlantis, The Palm Resort, and the Palm Jumeirah on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 20: Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson at the Grand Opening of Palm Jumeirah and its flagship Atlantis, the Palm Resort at the Palm Jumeirah Island on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images for Atlantis, The Palm) *** Local Caption *** Jermaine Dupri;Janet Jackson

Getty Images for Atlantis, The P

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 20: Janet Jackson watches the unprecedented pyrotechnics and illumination at the Grand Opening of Palm Jumeirah and its flagship Atlantis, the Palm Resort at the Palm Jumeirah Island on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images for Atlantis, The Palm) *** Local Caption *** Janet Jackson

Getty Images for Atlantis, The P

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 20: Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson (L) at the Grand Opening of Palm Jumeirah and its flagship Atlantis, the Palm Resort at the Palm Jumeirah Island on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images for Atlantis, The Palm) *** Local Caption *** Jermaine Dupri;Janet Jackson

Getty Images for Atlantis, The P

Singer Janet Jackson performs in concert at Madison Square Garden on November 1, 2008 in New York City.

Joe Kohen/WireImage.com

"It feels so good to be back after being down just a littlebit," Jackson told the crowd at the less-than-full Verizon Center.

The two-hour, high-energy show went smoothly, but Jackson didappear winded at times. At one point, she paused to admire herbackup dancers, and the audience roared with approval.

"She was perfect. If she was sick, she's not sick anymore,"said Maurice Bell, 28, of Washington. "She can still do it at42."

At the end of the show, a teary-eyed Jackson told the crowd: "Ilove you D.C. so much."

Jackson's publicist said Wednesday she has been suffering frommigraine-associated vertigo, which led to her canceling a string ofshows. She is being treated for the illness, which is characterizedby dizziness, imbalance and other symptoms.

"She's a world-class entertainer and needs to be at the top ofher game to give her fans the show they expect," Jackson'smanager, Kenneth Crear, said in a release. "She's feeling muchbetter and is ready to hit the road again to finish the tour."

Crear said Jackson is feeling better and ready to continue herfirst North American tour in seven years. Upcoming stops includeAtlanta, Houston, Dallas, New York and East Rutherford, N.J.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-10-16 06:55:46

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