Diana Ross: Diva Unparalleled

Diana Ross achieved fame both as the lead singer of the popular all-girl group the Supremes and as a solo artiste later in her career.

Born on March 26 ,1944 in Detroit, Michigan Diana was the second of six children. She hailed from a linage that was part black and part Cherokee Indian.

As a child, Ross began singing gospel in church, going on to form a group with her friends Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and Barbara Martin while in her teens. Called the Primettes, this group would later become the famous Supremes, though Martin would leave it shortly.

In 1961 the group signed to Motown to be groomed by head honcho Berry Gordy. Beginning with their first chart topper Where Did Our Love Go? (1964), they went on to score a string of hits over the next few years, among which were 12 number ones, including Stop! In the Name of Love (1965) and Someday We Will Be Together (1969). At the behest of Gordy the group was later renamed Diana Ross and the Supremes.

Ross went solo in 1969 and started working with the song writing team of Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, achieving hits with Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough in 1970.

Ross then branched out into acting, portraying Billie Holliday in the biopic Lady Sings the Blues. The role earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She also acted in Mahogany (1975) and The Wiz(1978). Although these films did not do as well, Ross scored a hit with her single Mahogany.

In 1976 Ross was devastated when her friend and fellow Supreme Florence Ballard died following alcohol abuse and depression at the age of 32 years. She went back to recording a few years later, bringing in the new decade with the successful Diana which included the popular tracks Upside Down and I’m Coming Out.

In 1981 Ross left Motown to sign up with labels all over the world. She also set up her own production company. In 1982 she released Silk Electric under the MCA label, containing the Michael Jackson-penned Muscles.

In the late 80s Ross’ popularity began to wane and in 1989 she returned to Motown after 8 years away. It was with this label that she released the successful The Force Behind The Power(1991).

In the nineties Ross started experimenting with television. Her credits include the telefilms Out of Darkness (1994) and Double Platinum (1999). The millennium however found her embroiled in legal problems resulting from assaulting a Heathrow security guard and from driving under the influence. Further controversy arose when Ross launched a reunion tour of the Supremes but did not include Mary Wilson or Cindy Birdsong. The tour was eventually cancelled.

Ross has been honoured many times over for her contribution to music. In 1988 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Supremes and has earned two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1993 Ross was declared the most successful female singer by the Guinness Book of World Records. Among others she has also won a Tony, a Golden Globe and several American Music Awards. Interestingly, the Grammys have eluded her in spite of being nominated 12 times.

Over a career spanning four decades Ross has had share of ups and downs both personal and professional. She has been married twice and has five children. Ross once said “You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.” And make it happen she has!

TJ Grooves - Soul Music TV & Rare Soul Grooves.com