So I decided to go out on a limb and take Janet up above the clouds in a hot air balloon ride. It was such a lovely evening, and by the time we went to bed I was sure she would sign. Although Janet intimated that she would like to sign with Virgin, we still had to bid for the contract and match the highest offer.
It was going to cost far more money than we had at our immediate disposal, but I instinctively knew that it was worth it. I was damned if I was going to let the caution of our bankers stop us. We decided to offer Janet the largest amount of money ever offered to any signer. On top of this, we decided to break all the rules of the record industry: rather than tying her down for a number of future albums, Virgin would offer her a contact for just one album.
It was millions more than any record company had ever paid for a single album. Good to her word, when the bidding levelled out, Janet choose Virgin. Feeling exhilarated I left the team to finalise negotiations, and went on a skiing holiday with my family to Switzerland.
I had no intention of delaying. It would allow our rival bidders the opportunity to steal her. I wondered what assets we could juggle to raise the moment. Could we sell Necker Island or my home in London? Delay paying our royalty cheques? Sub-license some of our artists? It soon became very clear that nothing could be turned around that quickly. Our only option was to go above the head of our London bank, straight to management in Toronto β so Trevor booked a flight leaving Heathrow at 1pm, and I spent the next eight hours trying to no avail to raise the much-needed funds.
Virgin has never let you down on any of our loan repayments. This will be no different. Janet Jackson is a terrific lady. It was one of the most nerve-wrecking but worthwhile experiences of my life. I was thrilled to hear that Janet is back with a new album, Unbreakable, and that she and her husband Wissam Al Mana are planning to start a family. There is nothing more important than family. Home Companies About Us. Book a Branson. Signing Janet Jackson.
