Diana Ross: A Biography

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Diana Ross: A Biography Page 67

by J. Randy Taraborrelli


  “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” 215, 220

  Red Hot Rhythm and Blues (album) 341, 417, 526–7

  Reeves, Martha 25, 83–4, 85, 86, 126 see also Vandellas

  “Reflections” 164–5, 179, 193

  Reflections (album) 466, 496

  “Remember Me” 307

  Return to Love tour (2000) 435–41, 442–4

  Reynolds, Nancy 343

  rhythm and blues 23–4

  Rhythm and Blues Foundation 452

  Richards, Deke 193, 212–13

  Richardson, Tony 280–1, 286, 287–8, 292, 418

  Richie, Lionel 336, 340, 410

  Ritz, David 42

  Robinson, Benny 12

  Robinson, Bill 196

  Robinson, Claudette 59, 60, 215

  Robinson, Smokey (William) 21, 35, 36, 37, 46, 58–61, 76–7, 215, 337–8, 354, 410, 471, 472

  Rodgers, Bobby 69, 73

  Rodgers, Nile 328–9, 340

  Rogers, Wanda 93

  Rolling Stones 121

  Roostertail nightclub 137–8

  Roshkind, Mike 179–80, 189, 221, 254

  Ross (album) (1978) 507–8

  Ross (album) (1983) 340, 513–14

  Ross, Barbara Jean (Bobbi) (sister) 13, 27–8, 48–9, 225, 385

  Ross, Chico (brother) (Wilbert Alex) 16, 21, 225, 238–9, 385, 388, 413–16, 423, 447

  Ross, Chudney (daughter) 298, 386–7, 408, 470

  ROSS, DIANA

  Acting Career 241, 262, 274

  acting debut on Tarzan TV program 247–8

  attributes 246–7, 418, 420

  control of by Gordy 240, 241, 243–5, 247–80, 275, 277, 280, 290–1, 309–11

  deal with ABC-TV 417

  decision not to do The Bodyguard 326, 327

  demands complete control of projects 384, 418

  Double Platinum 418–20

  enjoyment of freedom in expressing own creativity 274

  Golden Globe nomination for Out of Darkness 420

  hiring of Cohen by Gordy to look after 275–7

  and Lady Sings the Blues see Lady Sings the Blues

  and Mahogany see Mahogany

  nominated for Academy Award for Lady Sings the Blues 266–71, 421

  nominated as favorite actress at People’s Choice Awards 420

  Out of Darkness 417–8, 420

  professionalism 418

  reviews 297, 420

  seeds of success 241–2

  unable to mount film version of Baker’s life 384

  wins Golden Globe award 268

  and The Wiz see Wiz, The

  Early Years

  appearance 14

  birth 13

  at Cass Technical High School 61–5

  childhood in Detroit 14, 16

  and death of cousin Virginia Ruth 20

  determination to be center of attention 14–15, 31

  experiences of racism 15, 17, 18–19, 20–1, 73, 75

  interest in fashion and modeling 62–3

  living in Bessemer during mother’s illness 17–18

  move to Brewster Projects 22–3

  part-time job at Hudson’s 64–5

  schooling 14, 15

  starting to sing 23

  tomboy antics 16–17

  Personal Life

  altercation with photographers 394–5

  appearance and clothes style 39, 63, 125, 183, 241, 269, 323, 378, 429, 446

  arrested for drunk driving and jail sentence (2002) 449–50, 451–3, 455–6

  attendance at Florence’s funeral 1–6

  attitude toward author’s biography of 348–50

  attitude toward Florence’s rape 56

  autobiography see Secrets of a Sparrow

  birthday celebrations 268, 323–4, 447–9

  breakdown 142–7

  character 5, 10, 72, 215–16, 274–5, 285, 365

  charitable causes 359–65

  and children 215–16, 298–9, 376–7, 408, 446, 448, 450, 452, 456–7

  Christmas and presents on the jet 375–6, 378–80

  and death of brother (Chico) 425

  and death of mother 385–6

  and death of Naess 455–7

  and death of T-Boy 426

  demands of hotels when on tour 367–8, 382

  diva reputation 365–72, 430, 440

  divorce from Silberstein 305–7

  and drinking 448

  embezzlement of money by accountant 344, 369

  ending of marriage to Naess and divorce 427–8, 434

  experiences of racism 198, 472–3

  family 385

  filing of libel suits against by former employees 369

  financial problems 335

  and Heathrow incident 429–31, 451

  help given to reconstruct children’s park in New York 360, 364

  house purchases 118–19, 224–5, 343, 393

  insecurity 77, 199, 201, 258, 372, 405, 450, 457–8

  investments in real estate 344

  “the letter” 368–9

  losing of weight and eating problems 143

  marriage to Naess and relationship with 390–3, 396–7, 398–9, 421–3, 426–7

  marriage to Silberstein and relationship with 231–2, 233–4, 235–8, 239, 259–60, 293, 298, 307

  menopause 431, 442

  and “Miss Ross” dictum 153–5, 318–19, 323, 370, 438

  modesty about own body 256

  and mother’s illness 385–6

  parental background 9–13

  portrayal of in Mary Wilson’s Dreamgirl 404–6

  pregnancies and birth of children 238–9, 252, 254–5, 259, 264, 298, 409

  prejudice and racism experienced from Naess’s family and friends 407–8

  and press 395

  public image 454

  recovery after drunk driving incident 453–4

  relationship with brother (Chico) 413–16

  relationship with employees 318–21, 324–5, 368–71

  relationship with father 27–8, 32, 47–9, 135, 270, 399, 426

  relationship with Florence 6, 31–2, 40, 145–7, 149, 158, 191, 301, 302, 303–4, 447

  relationship with Gordy see Gordy, Berry

  relationship with Mary Wilson 6, 127, 187–8, 203, 209, 301, 323, 357–8, 403–7, 431–5, 439–40

  relationship with Michael Jackson 396–7

  relationship with mother 29, 96, 100, 189, 237, 386

  relationship with Ryan O’Neal 321–5, 326–7

  relationship with Silberstein’s mother 293

  relationship with Simmons 331–2

  relationship with Smokey Robinson 59–61

  sells house in Maple Drive 343

  and smoking 381

  tells daughter (Rhonda) of true paternity 386–9

  temper tantrums and difficult behavior 64, 112, 232–3, 292, 294, 341, 365–6, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 372–3, 377

  treatment at Promises for alcohol addiction 447–9

  wealth 428

  Singing Career

  and “artist development” classes 124, 125

  fame 117, 118, 120, 181

  joins the Primettes 25–6

  lack of encouragement from father 27–8, 30–1, 32–3, 47, 49, 97, 470

  leaves the Supremes 205–6, 209

  monologue given for Martin Luther King 185–6

  name change from Diane to Diana 137

  and Primettes see Primettes

  relationship with other Motown artists 201–2, 352

  secretary at Tamla 45–6

  style and persona 81, 92–3, 102, 109, 117, 156, 199, 468

  and Supremes see Supremes

  view of Marvelettes 66–7

  voice 38–9, 46, 79, 92, 94, 100, 133, 444

  Solo Career

  ABC-TV television special 245–6

  Academy and Grammy nominations 307, 329, 336, 340

  Actor’s Studio 467

  albums 234, 272–4, 325–6, 328
, 340–1, 411–12, 421, 465, 507–535

  American Idol 467–8

  Central Park charity concerts and controversy over financing of (1983) 359–65, 367, 384

  and “Chain Reaction” 341

  compared with Streisand 249

  concert presentation 319

  concert tour of United States (1979) 324

  contract with Wynn to play at Nugget Hotel 374

  debut nightclub act (1970) 219–20

  decision to appear on Motown 25 350–2

  and reunion with Supremes 350–8

  difficulty in bouncing back after failed Supremes tour 448

  Divas show (2000) 436–9

  “Do You Know Where You’re Going To?” 286, 295–6, 300

  downward trend 341

  earnings and finances 230, 240, 259, 335, 344–5, 367, 374

  and “Endless Love” 336

  engagement with Sinatra and Martin 382

  establishes own offices in Hollywood 317–18

  European tour (1982) 368

  first album and cover 227–8

  first record 220

  formation of RTC Management Corporation 341

  Las Vegas debut at Frontier Hotel 220–2

  leaves Motown 331–5, 337–9, 342–3, 366–7

  Lifetime Achievement award (BET Awards, 2007) 468–9

  losing of luster 421

  named Billboard’s “Entertainer of the Century” 308

  not renewing of contract by Motown 450

  offers from record companies after break with Motown 336–7

  Pantages Theater engagement (2004) 459–62

  performs own one-woman TV special 307–8

  and proposed Supremes reunion 431–4

  RCA years and dissatisfaction with 339, 340–5, 384, 409

  re-signs with new Motown Records 410–12

  singles released 228–9, 271, 273, 307, 329–30, 340, 341, 411, 465

  Supremes tour (Return to Love) and cancellation of 435–41, 442–5

  and “Touch Me in the Morning” 261–4, 271, 272, 333, 439

  underrated 471–3

  wins Tony award for Palace Theater engagement 307

  worldwide tour (1983) 367

  Ross, Edward (grandfather) 9

  Ross, Ernestine (mother) (née Moten) 3, 10, 265, 269

  background and early years 10–12

  breast cancer 383, 385–6

  and bringing up of Diana 14, 17, 20–1, 29

  as chaperone on Supremes’ tours 96–7

  character and appearance 12, 29

  death and funeral 385–6

  and death of Virginia Ruth 20

  and Diana’s relationship with Gordy 225–6

  and Diana’s singing career and performances 26, 29, 30, 100, 104, 134, 187

  engagement and marriage to Fred 12–13, 29–30

  living with Diana in Beverly Hills 225

  marriage to John Jordan 307

  post-marriage relationship with Fred 225

  relationship with Diana 96, 100, 188–9, 237, 386

  separation and divorce from Fred 49, 307

  singing and voice 29

  and tuberculosis 17

  unaware of Diana’s marriage to Silberstein 237

  Ross, Fred (father) 9–10, 104–5, 269, 406

  in army 13–14

  background and early years 9–10

  boxing career 10, 12

  career 14, 16, 28

  character 12, 28

  death 470

  and Diana’s singing performances 138

  engagement and marriage to Ernestine 12–13, 29–30

  move to Brewster Projects 21–2

  opposition to Diana’s singing 27–8, 30–1, 32–3, 47, 49, 97

  post-marriage relationship with Ernestine 225

  present at Diana’s wedding to Naess 399

  relationship with Diana 27–8, 32, 47–9, 135, 270, 399, 426

  in retirement 385

  separation and divorce from Ernestine 49, 307

  suggestion of Barbara Jean replacing Diana in group 48–9

  Ross, Fred Earl (brother) 16

  Ross, Ida (grandmother) 9

  Ross, Margarita (Rita) (sister) 16, 99, 225, 299, 385, 386

  Ross, Patricia Ann (wife of T-Boy) 423

  Ross, Rhonda (daughter) 254–5, 299, 386–9, 408, 446–7, 452, 469

  Ross, T-Boy (Arthur) (brother) 16, 225, 385, 415–16, 447

  death of 423–5, 426

  Ross, Ted 308, 312

  Ross, Tracee Ellis (daughter) 265, 299, 381, 387, 408, 425, 452–3

  RTC Management Corporation 341

  RuPaul 437

  Russell, Nipsey 312

  Rydell, Bobby 122

  Sanders, Scott 432

  Sands, Diana 242

  Save the Music Foundation 436

  Sawyer, Pam 193

  Schaffner, Joe 152–3, 158, 176

  Schlatter, George 203

  Schoenfield, Joe 246

  Schumacher, Joel 312

  Scorsese, Martin 469

  Seacrest, Ryan 468

  Secrets of a Sparrow 14, 18, 28, 56, 128, 209, 240, 253, 297, 366, 367, 406, 412, 432, 467

  Seltzer, Ralph 107, 118, 120, 352

  SFX 442, 443, 444

  Shaft 250

  Shields, Brooke 336

  Silberstein, Bob 231–2, 233–4, 239, 259–60, 293, 298, 305–7, 336–7, 387, 408

  Silberstein, Chudney see Ross, Chudney

  Silberstein, Rhonda see Ross, Rhonda

  Silberstein, Tracee see Ross, Tracee

  Silk Electric (album) 340, 512

  Simmons, Gene 331–2

  Simpson, Valerie 220, 325–6

  Sinatra, Frank 122, 373, 374, 382

  Sister Sledge 328

  “Sleepin’” 333

  Smalls, Charlie 308

  Smith, Bessie 196

  Smith, Maggie 266

  Smothers, Tommy 206

  Solomon, George 273

  “Someday We’ll Be Together” 210, 472

  “Somewhere” 184–5, 471–2

  Soul (newspaper) 236

  Sparks, Jordin 470

  Springfield, Dusty 109

  Stars 419

  Stern, Henry 363

  Sternfield, Aaron 133

  Stevenson, Mickey 76, 79, 459

  Stewart, Rod 464

  Stolen Moments Live (album) 519

  “Stop! In the Name of Love” 108, 109

  Streisand, Barbra 191–2, 203, 219, 249, 277, 322, 330, 420, 441

  Strong, Barrett 35

  Stubbs, Levi 255

  Stulberg, Gordon 242

  Styne, Jule 192

  Sullivan, Ed 101–3, 131, 210, 471

  Summer, Donna 336, 436

  Superfly (film) 250

  Superstar Series: Volume One (album) 503

  Supremes

  albums 82, 101, 121, 131, 151, 156, 181, 192, 200, 487–507

  “artist development” classes 123–6

  and Cavalcade of Stars tour (1964) 95–7, 99

  and civil rights movement 184, 196, 471

  and commercials 109

  contract with Berry Gordy Enterprises/Tamla Records (1961) 50

  Copacabana debut and preparations for (1965) 122–5, 128–9, 130–5

  costumes 203–4, 214

  Diana to be sole lead singer decision by Berry 91–2

  Diana’s breakdown at Binstrub’s 142–3, 144–5

  earnings and royalties 58, 69, 103, 106, 107, 119, 120, 139, 241

  European tours 109, 111, 112, 113, 199

  farewell show at Frontier Hotel (1970) 211–16, 240

  final television appearance of Diana with 210–11

  finances 100, 119–20

  firing and final departure of Florence 162–4, 172–6

  first No. 1 with “Where Did Our Love Go?” 93–5, 98–9, 100–1, 105, 107

  first release 57–8

  Florence’s discontent with 149–51

&nbs
p; Fox Theater performance and dress incident 84–6

  and H-D-H 84, 181, 192

  hosting of Hollywood Palace television show 204, 209

  involvement in political campaigns 197–8

  Irving Berlin’s 80th birthday on Ed Sullivan Show 471

  joining of by Cindy Birdsong 160–1, 163–4, 165, 176

  joining of by Jean Terrell 206, 209

  last No. 1 210

  leaving of by Barbara Martin 66

  leaving of by Diana 205–6, 209

  look and style 102, 122–3, 125, 181, 195, 199, 203

  and Martin Luther King (1968) 184–6

  missing of recording sessions/rehearsals by Florence 52–3, 139–40

  and Motor Town Revue see Motor Town Revue

  music and sound of 132, 155–6

  name 46–7

  named as Supremes with Diana Ross 162–3, 165–6, 179

  No. 1 records 101, 108, 151, 155, 157, 210

  performances and engagements 51–2, 98, 104, 157 165, 181, 206, 241

  popularity 101–4

  recording of “Love Child” single without Mary and Cindy 193–4

  relationship among 4–5, 6, 70, 125, 127–8, 128, 137, 166, 174–5, 181, 182, 183, 187, 187–8, 202–3, 205, 209–10, 212 see also individual Supremes

  relationship between Florence and Gordy 136, 140, 148, 149–50, 157, 158–9, 166, 174

  relentless schedule 143, 151

  replacing of Florence temporarily for shows 140–1

  reunion of at Motown 25 353, 354–7

  reunion proposal 431–5

  Roostertail nightclub engagement (1966) 137–8

  Royal Command performance (1968) 199–201

  singles released 72, 84, 101, 108, 155, 157, 164–5, 201, 210

  slump in recording career and reasons 192–3

  success 105, 108, 135, 196

  switched from Tamla to Motown label 66

  television appearances/performances 101–4, 108–9, 164, 182

  television specials 201–4

  tours 101, 109, 148, 198

  trademarks 109

  voice harmonies 79

  see also Primettes

  Supremes (post Diana) 221, 301–2, 303, 435–6

  Supremes a` Go-Go, The (album) 151, 492–3

  Supremes at the Copa, The (album) 131, 481

  Supremes Sing Country Western and Pop, The (album) 82, 121, 489

  Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland, The (album) 151, 493–4

  Supremes Sing and Perform Disney Classics, The (album) 157

  Supremes Sing Rodgers and Hart, The 156–7, 484–5

  Supremes, The (album) 504

  Surrender (album) 510

  Swept Away (album) 340, 384, 524–5

  Take Me Higher (album) 421, 530

  Tamla Records 36

  Tarplin, Marv 59, 70

  Tarzan TV program 247

  Taylor, Bobby 209

  Taylor, R. Dean 193

  T.C.B.—Taking Caring of Business 201–3, 204

 

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