I cannot imagine a world without Diana Ross, just like I could not imagine a world without my Mother – but I am grateful for the reality and the dream. These women defined me as a woman.

I was there, in front of the black and white TV in the 60s when Ed Sullivan introduced The Supremes! and I was mesmerized from the break by the stepping “high heels” (click click click click) that walked in to our living room followed by, “Baby Baby, Baby Don’t Leave me…” I fell in love with Where Did Our Love Go? and those beautiful women who had the audacity to fierce! They were a departure from rough to polished female power and they looked like me!

I am older now and critical analysis is necessary and appropriate for my world view. The Supremes and Diana Ross were more than singers and songs. Factor in Berry Gordy, Motown, HDH, Harvey Faqua, The Funk Brothers, and all the players, artists – imagine the dynamic! The music is worthy of social – but mostly critical analysis and theory and someone smarter than me needs to do it! Voices are musical instruments – listen to “Ask Any Girl.”

Diana Ross’ embouchure if you will – was and is peerless. In general, some of us assumed then and they assume now that they stumbled on it. It was an orchestration. Diana’s voice – certainly in its heyday was a Stradivarius. A different kind of saxophone – not just words, not some theatrical story or presentation. Her voice was melody, harmony, composition in concert with musicians. She is the vocal equivalent of Miles Davis in interpretation. She was a Siren that embraced you – and still does. When I drive my “chariot” Jeep – people recognize and appreciate The Boss.

In “Ask Any Girl” – she breaks “affection” into syllables that sound like a new word but with the same meaning. It’s gorgeous. I loved it when I was a kid, but now I know why. Every fan on this board – the world needs to stop and listen with a critical ear to truly appreciate the Queen of Motown.

PS: Her son Evan Olaf Naess Ross looks exactly like her! How crazy is that? I am anxious to here his voice!

You’re welcome, for my balanced view.

“make this world a better place if you can…..”

I’m a die hard Ross fan, not delusional, but I love her!

Diana as a Person:
Diana is a legend, not only for her Supreme days, but also for her accomplishments after the Supremes — albums, concerts, movies, TV movies and specials, philanthropic contributions, opened avenues for the crossover artists today. — There is no dispute that she has reached heights AFTER she left the Supremes, to say otherwise, just doesn’t make sense. She has been a positive force for so many of us through her music and her grace. Can Diana Ross be nasty? I’m sure that she can and has been (who can’t and hasn’t we all have our days) but that doesn’t make her an evil person, as she has been referred to here. The media will print what sells, and nothing sells better than a successful, strong nasty woman. As for her personal life, it’s had it’s ups and downs, I don’t think we should trivialize that or use it as fodder to say she’s a bad person, she recently lost a love, and had trouble dealing with it, period.

Supremes:
I love the Supremes music..LOVE IT. It’s a beautiful blend of voices, with Diana at the forefront nasally coo-ing out the lyrics, and the girls supporting her. A sound that can never be replicated by any one member of the group. Many people, I’m not one of them, but many people thought she sang through her nose too much during these days. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder. Let’s not forget that EVERY group under Berry had a lead singer who was singled out. According to him (I’ve read) it was not only to promote the lead, it was also so that he could market the acts as two entities and try to ask for more money (though I don’t know how successful that was). Martha Reeves &…. Smokey Robinson &…. Michael Jackson &…. Lionel Ritchie just flat out left the Commodores. For the Supremes it was Diana. That separation was going to happen with our without Diana, Berry drove the vehicle, the Supremes were just along for the ride.

Diana’s Solo Career:
Let’s not forget a couple of things. When Diana left Motown, she received what was at the time the most money for a recording contract of any artist (fact). Let’s also remember that Guinness Book of World Records had her listed as the best selling female artist of all times (including her Supremes days) until Madonna came along (also fact). Diana left the Supremes in 1969, and for 37 years afterwards she is still a performing solo artist, who sings at national events and also concerts worldwide (fact). She sings both oldies and new songs, and I will say she sings a 10-15 minute medley of the Supremes numbers. The other hour and 50 minutes of her concert consists of solo work (fact), and the audience loves it!

Diana’s Voice:
It’s not shot, hardly! But it has admittedly changed over time, just like every single one of ours (singers or not). The true test of an entertainer is one who can still captivate an audience, when their talent isn’t what it used to be. AND DIANA IS THE ULTIMATE ENTERTAINER. She has been in many, many top 100 entertainers of all time lists. She has said in interviews, that she’ doesn’t have the power of a Patti, and that she has a softer sound. Her fans listen for her sound and her interpretation of the music, her word pronunciation, her intonation and the way she tells a story with the music. She is more than a voice to us (A VOICE THAT I THINK STILL HAS A GREAT TONE AND QUALITY TO IT. NOT THE CLARITY OF THE “BOSS” DAYS BUT STILL GREAT) she encompasses a style and a class that is missing today in the fly-by-night entertainers.

Mary Wilson:
I’m glad that she has been able to sustain a career. I’m sure that Diana feels the same way. Other than that, Mary will be judged by one greater than me or any of you. She’s the only one who has to live with her actions.

Neil’s Point:
I get it Neil, remember the Supremes, remember the Supremes, all of them! They were great! We do, or at least I do! All four of them (actually five, but who even remember the one from early on when they were the Primettes). If there were no Supremes, there probably wouldn’t have been a Motown! It was the launching ground for the girl’s. Without the Supremes, the world would never have known Diana Ross. It was a great group and it’s sad that they couldn’t reunite for the Supremes tour (whoever was at fault). Also Neil you feel the Supremes was Diana at her best, I’m sure many other share that opinion. Maybe you would be more at home on a Supremes blog?

Diana, from the movie Mahogany, “I’m a winner baby, these people love me, and YOU CAN’T stand it!”

Fans:
We know we adore Diana! Some of us like to think she has done no wrong. Some of us lift her so high, and think the ways to lift her higher is to put Mary down. If Diana hasn’t done it all of these years, while she’s the one being attacked, why should we? One person’s opinion, does not fact make. WE LOVE HER! NONE OF NEIL’S WORDS WILL CHANGE THAT, EVER! 17 days until her new album is out… let that speak for itself…37 years after the Supremes broke up, our girl is putting out an album!!

ALL:
Diana has always been about positivism, and caring and love, and healing, and family. I don’t normally post, but felt like this had turned so ugly. I hope I haven’t offended anyone, it wasn’t my intention. Also, I won’t be replying to any comments (not into the back and forth thing).

“make this world a better place if you can…..”
{Edited by Moderator}

You choose not to see the good that defines this woman. It says much more about you then her. As far as my cracks against you go, what do you expect. We always get what we put out there. It’s called “just desserts”. This is my last post. I am bored now….{edited by moderator}