Gay Icons - The Divas: Diana Ross (part 2: solo career)

Hello, my friends! I'm having a busy week and this is the reason I was late. The week is not over, but I believe I'll find the time to complete today's second part of our presentation of Diana Ross: We'll be dealing with her solo career.

Diana had been romantically involved with Motown's big boss, Berry Gordy, since 1965. The relationship lasted several years, resulting in the birth of Ross's eldest child, Rhonda Suzanne Silberstein, in August 1971. Two months into her pregnancy with Rhonda, in January 1971, Ross married music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, so that she would avoid having a "Love Child". Silberstein raised Rhonda as his own daughter, despite knowing her true paternity. Ross told Rhonda that Gordy was her biological father when the girl was 13 years old. Beforehand, Rhonda referred to Gordy as "Uncle B.B."

Ross has two daughters with Silberstein, Tracee Joy and Chudney Lane Silberstein, born in 1972 and 1975, respectively. Ross and Silberstein divorced in 1977 and Ross moved to New York City in the early 1980s, after living in Los Angeles since Motown relocated to the area in the early 1970s.

Meanwhile, in 1970, Ross had released her first solo album, simply called Diana Ross. This album became a pop top 20 hit in the US - and it topped the R&B chart. It contained her first two singles - and both were classics. Her first solo single was Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand). An Ashford and Simpson penned and produced number, it should've been a bigger hit. Perhaps the fact that the song was more gospel than pop confused the mainstream audience. It was a big US R&B hit (#7) but only hit #20 on the Hot 100. It was an even lesser hit in the UK, Canada, and Australia. The song, however, stood the test of time. Ross performed Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) as the finale for the Nobel Peace Prize Concert held in Oslo, Norway, in 2008.

Her next single was a tricky proposition: Ain't No Mountain High Enough was another Ashford and Simpson composition, but it had already been a top 20 hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, in 1967. The source of the lyrics is a very popular traditional gospel song called So High. The lyrics, " It is so high (So high, you can't get over it) / So wide (So wide you can't get around it) / So low (So low you can't get under it) / Great God Almighty (You must come in at the door)" were the inspiration for the song's chorus, "Ain't no mountain high enough / Ain't no valley low enough / Ain't no river wide enough / To keep me from you." This original version of Ain't No Mountain, produced by Fuqua and Bristol, was a carefree, danceable, and romantic love song that became the signature duet between Gaye and Terrell.

However, Ms. Ross didn't want to be branded as a cover artist. Moreso as she had already recorded a version of the song in 1968 with her group, the Supremes, along with the Temptation, which was quite faithful to the Terrell-Gaye original version. Therefore, in order to re-record the song, she demanded a brand new treatment. The remake was similar to gospel with elements of classical music strings (provided by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra), spoken word passages from Ross, with The Andantes, Jimmy Beavers, Jo Armstead, Ashford & Simpson and Brenda Evans and Billie Calvin of The Undisputed Truth as backing singers, giving the song a soul and gospel vocal element. Ross' theatrical rendition of the song created a perfect pop melodrama, the best single that the Shangri-Las never recorded.

It was an instant hit: it topped both the Pop and R&B charts in the US, made #6 in the UK, and #7 in Canada. Diana Ross, Pop Diva, was taking off.

This is the (long) album version:

This is live at Caesar Palace in Las Vegas, September 1979:

Her second album, Everything Is Everything, was rush-released after the success of her debut solo album. It was a lesser hit in the US, but it took off in the UK, thanks to two songs that were released as singles: I'm Still Waiting was a #1 UK hit - surprisingly, it just missed the top 40 in the US. I especially love these bittersweet lines:

"Please don't wait for me
Wait patiently for love
Someday it will surely come
... And I'm still waiting"

Doobedood'ndoobe, Doobedood'ndoobe, Doobedood'ndoo, which, like I'm Still Waiting, was written by Deke Richards, peaked at #12 in the UK:

Diana's next album, Surrender, was a critical and commercial success, especially in the UK. Remember Me was the album's first single, peaking at #16 in the US and at #7 in the UK:

Her version of the Four Tops' classic Reach Out I'll Be There was a lesser hit, peaking at #29 in the US:

Surrender was yet another US top 40 and UK top 10 hit:

In 1971, Diana Ross began working on her first film, Lady Sings the Blues, which was a loosely based biography of singer Billie Holiday. Despite some criticism of her for taking the role, once the film opened in October 1972, Ross won critical acclaim for her performance in the film. Jazz critic Leonard Feather, a friend of Holiday's, praised Ross for "expertly capturing the essence of Lady Day." Ross's role in the film won her Golden Globe Award and Academy Award nominations for Best Actress. The soundtrack to the film became just as successful, reaching #1 on the Billboard 200 and staying there for two weeks. Good Morning Heartache was a top 40 single in the US:

Strange Fruit wasn't a single, but it's one of my favorite songs (Billie's version) - and Diana did it justice. Such a chilling song:

Her next album, Touch Me in the Morning, was released in 1973 and was a top 5 hit in the US (#1 R&B). The title song, conceived by then-unproven songwriter and producer Michael Masser, was a #1 hit in the US and a top 10 hit in most major markets.

According to Masser, in a video documentary about Ross, she "always tried to push hard to get the vocals right for this particular song", calling it a "draining experience" that resulted in several near-emotional breakdowns when she wasn't up to her abilities. It was recorded in the early morning hours, as was her custom after she began raising her children. In a Barbara Walters Mother's Day interview special, her second-oldest daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, said Diana would put them to bed and record all night, in order to wake her children and send them to school the next morning.

The song comprised of three distinct parts: one languorous, one wistful, and one triumphant in the face of adversity. Once again, Ross demonstrates that her strength lies in projecting the song's palette of emotions clearly and imaginatively. Here it is:

All of My Life was also a top 10 hit single in the UK:

The album includes the first tracks Diana would personally produce on one of her albums, Imagine and Medley: Brown Baby / Save the Children. This is the latter:

In just a few months, a next album was released: Diana & Marvin was a duets album by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye, possibly the top two pop and soul performers at the time. Diana & Marvin became a multi-chart success that managed to sell over a million copies worldwide.

... And rightly so. There was no filler in the album, all the songs were worthwhile. In fact, it was the rare occasion that a completely different set of singles were hits in the US and in the UK. The first big hit in the UK was You Are Everything (#5):

Then came Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart) (#25):

Meanwhile, in the US, You're a Special Part of Me was the first single (#12):

... Followed by My Mistake (Was to Love You) (#19):

... Finally, there was Don't Knock My Love (#46):

In the meantime, Diana released her next solo record, Last Time I Saw Him. It was a slow-burner, peaking lowly in the charts, but eventually selling copious quantities. The title track was the album's hit single, peaking at #8 in Canada, #14 in the US, and #35 in the UK:

Diana took time out from recording to make another movie. Mahogany was about Tracy, an aspiring designer from the slums of Chicago who puts herself through fashion school in the hopes of becoming one of the world's top designers. Producer Berry Gordy fired original director Tony Richardson and then took over the direction of the picture himself, with a little help from (uncredited) Jack Wormser.

The critics were not kind: Roger Ebert wrote, "Mahogany is a big, lush, messy soap opera, so ambivalent about its heroine that we can't even be sure the ending's supposed to be happy." The film, in time, became a cult classic.

The theme song Do You Know Where You're Going To was at first considered not acceptable "because of quality standards" for being an Oscar contender but Berry Gordy successfully lobbied the Academy into nominating it. Furthermore, one can't argue with success: the song was a huge US #1 and a big hit everywhere else.

The song was also included on Ross' 1976 album, Diana Ross (the second with this title). The album was Ross' biggest-selling album (1.3 million/RIAA) since 1973's Touch Me in the Morning. I Thought It Took a Little Time (But Today I Fell in Love) was the album's less successful second single:

The third single, however, Love Hangover, a disco classic, returned Diana to the top of the charts:

One Love in My Lifetime was the album's fourth single (#25, US):

An Evening with Diana Ross is a 1977 live double album that was recorded at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles during the international tour of Ross' one-woman show, for which she was awarded a special Tony Award after the show's run at Broadway's Palace Theater, followed by an Emmy-nominated TV special of the same name. I remember buying this album when it came out and really enjoying it. Here it is, in its entirety:

Baby It's Me (1977) yielded one Top 40 hit, Gettin' Ready for Love, reaching #27 on the US Billboard Hot 100:

Also from this album, You Got It (#49, US):

In 1978 came Ross' third starring role in Hollywood, in The Wiz. This adaptation of The Wizard of Oz tried to capture the essence of the African-American experience. Diana Ross was a bit old to play Dorothy, but she managed to pull it off. Plus, there was Michael Jackson. Here they are both, singing Ease on Down the Road (#41, US):

Ross (1978), was a mixture of older tunes Ross recorded and newer recordings. From it, What You Gave Me was a minor hit:

Lovin', Livin' and Givin' is a hidden gem that originally appeared on the soundtrack album of the movie Thank God It's Friday:

Her next album, The Boss (1979) was written and produced by Ashford & Simpson. It was disco-oriented and contained some great songs, like the title track:

... or No One Gets the Prize:

... or It's My House:

Also in 1979, a curio: Pops, We Love You was a single with star-power to spare: it united Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Smokey Robinson. The cause was also noble: it was a tribute to the late Berry "Pops" Gordy, Sr., father of Motown founder Berry Gordy, who had died that year after a long battle with cancer. Yet, it was a flop. It peaked at #59 in the US and at #66 in the UK. Which goes to show that there are no guaranteed hits, ever. Here it is:

In 1980, diana was released and became the biggest-selling studio album of Ross' career, selling nine million copies worldwide and spawning three international hit singles, including the US and International #1 hit Upside Down:

The gay anthem, I'm Coming Out:

... and My Old Piano:

It's My Turn was the main theme from a 1980 movie of the same name starring Michael Douglas and Jill Clayburgh:

The theme from another movie, Franco Zeffirelli's Endless Love, a duet with the Commodores' Lionel Richie, was Diana's last US #1, but what a #1! It spent 9 weeks at the top of the Hot 100:

Ross dated Gene Simmons, bass guitarist and singer for the band Kiss, from 1980 to 1983. They began dating after Cher, who had remained friends with Simmons following their break-up, suggested he ask Ross to help him choose her Christmas present. Simmons, in his autobiography, contends that he was not dating Cher when he met Ross. Ross ended her relationship with Simmons when he gave Ross the erroneous impression that he'd resumed his relationship with Cher. Simmons' story differed in 2015 when he revealed that he fell in love with Ross while dating Cher, which ended Ross and Cher's friendship.

Ross met her second husband, Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Næss Jr., in 1985, and married him the following year. She became stepmother to his three elder children; Katinka, Christoffer, and folk singer Leona Naess. They have two sons together: Ross Arne (born in 1987) and Evan Olav (born in 1988). Ross and Næss divorced in 2000 after press reports revealed that Naess had fathered a child with another woman in Norway. Ross considers Næss the love of her life. Næss was later killed in a South African mountain climbing accident in 2004. Ross remains close with her three ex-stepchildren.

Meanwhile, back in 1981, Diana left her record company of 20 years, Motown, to sign with RCA for $20 million. In October 1981, Ross released her first RCA album, Why Do Fools Fall in Love. The album sold over a million copies. The title track, a cover version of the old Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers hit, made the top 10 in most major markets:

The album contained two more hit singles; Mirror, Mirror:

... and Work That Body:

The lead single from her next album, Silk Electric (1982), was Muscles, written by her friend, Michael Jackson. It was a top 10 hit in the US:

The follow-up, So Close, only just made the US top 40:

Her next album was called Ross (1983). (I love you Diana, but your album titles reveal a lack of imagination). Pieces Of Ice was the album's lead single, a mid-table hit:

Her 1984 album, Swept Away, was a return to form. The album's lead single was a duet with Julio Iglesias called All Of You:

The album's title track, produced by Daryl Hall and Arthur Baker, peaked at the same position as All Of You in the US, at #19:

My favorite song from this album, however, is its third single. A loving tribute to her close friend, the late Marvin Gaye, Missing You was one of the best Lionel Richie compositions. He also produced the track, which returned Ms. Ross to the US top 10, as well as to the top of the R&B chart:

Diana's next album, Eaten Alive (1985), was written and produced by the Bee Gees and their production team. The album's title track, a duet with Michael Jackson, was the lead single. It was, however, a minor hit:

Out of nowhere, the next single, Chain Reaction, went all the way to the top of the UK chart, as well as in Australia and Ireland. It hardly made the Hot 100 in the US though:

The title track of Ms. Ross' 1989 album, Workin' Overtime, was a minor hit (US R&B #3, UK #32):

In 1991 Diana released The Force Behind the Power. Its first single, When You Tell Me That You Love Me, became an international hit, reaching #2 in the UK, #4 in The Netherlands, #4 in Zimbabwe, and #6 in Norway, as well as making the Top 40 R&B and Adult Contemporary charts in the US:

Ultra-popular Irish boy-band, Westlife, recorded the song in 2005, duetting with Diana. The song peaked (again) at #2. Which makes Diana Ross one of the very few artists to have a hit at #1 or #2 on the UK Singles Chart for five decades in a row. A remarkable accomplishment. This is the 2005 version:

Between 1989 and 1999, Diana Ross had a number of singles that weren't released in the US but were big hits elsewhere. If We Hold on Together was a #1 hit in Japan in 1989 and a #11 hit in the UK, when it was re-released in 1992:

Also in 1992, One Shining Moment peaked at #10 in the UK and #16 in Ireland:

That's Why I Call You My Friend was a #14 hit in Japan in 1993:

Also in 1993, Your Love was a #14 hit in the UK:

Also at #14 in the UK, Ross' version of I Will Survive (1996), with a little help from RuPaul and company:

Finally, in 1999, Not Over You Yet peaked at #3 in Belgium, #6 in Hungary, and #9 in the UK and Scotland:

Let's remember the chart accomplishments of Diana Ross:

As a member of the Supremes:

33 of the Supremes' singles reached the Billboard Top 40 in the United States, 23 reached either the US or UK Top 10. 12 of them reached the number-one position on the US pop chart, with Baby Love topping the UK pop chart. 12 of their albums reached the Top 10 in either the US or UK, with five of them reaching number-one.

As a solo artist or in duets:

Her discography consists of 25 studio albums and 91 singles. 27 of her singles reached the Billboard top 40 in the US, 12 of them the Billboard top 10, and six of those reaching number one, placing her in a tie for fifth among the top female solo performers who have reached the top spot there. In the UK, she amassed a total of 47 top 40 singles with 20 of them reaching the top 10 and two of those reaching number one. In the US, 17 albums reached the Billboard top 40, four of those the top 10, and one album topped the chart. In the UK, 26 albums reached the top 40, eight of those the top 10, and one album topping the chart. Ross had a top 10 UK hit in every one of the last five decades and sang lead on a top 75 hit single at least once every year from 1964 to 1996 in the UK, a period of 33 consecutive years and a record for any performer. She continues to collect gold and silver awards for UK sales of her many greatest hits compilation albums.

On March 22, 2006, Ross' televised Central Park concerts, entitled For One & For All, are named TV Land Awards' Viewer’s Choice for Television’s Greatest Music Moment.

Ross headlined the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway. Backed by a 30-piece orchestra and a local boys' choir, Ross performed several of her classic hits.

In February 2012, Ross received her first ever Grammy Award, for Lifetime Achievement.

On July 3, 2014, Ross was awarded the Ella Fitzgerald Award for "her extraordinary contribution to contemporary jazz vocals", at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.

On November 19, 2017, Ross received the American Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award. Ross performed several of her iconic hits, ending with Ain't No Mountain High Enough, during which she brought all of her grandchildren onstage. Oldest grandson, 8-year-old Raif-Henok Emmanuel Kendrick, son of Rhonda Ross-Kendrick and husband, Rodney, performed an impromptu dance performance behind his legendary grandmother, and stole the show, according to critics. Ross was then joined onstage by all of her children, their spouses, first ex-husband Robert Ellis, Smokey Robinson(who brought Ross to Motown) and Motown founder, Berry Gordy.

And the show isn't over yet...