Diana Ross: A Biography
Page 67
“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