Today is the birthday of Miss Diana Ross.

The Supremes. Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard.

Diana Ross and The Supremes.

Diana, Mary Wilson, and Cindy Birdsong.

Diva Diana.

OP: Diane's teeth look as rotten as her soul!

That old drunk. Why are her bottom teeth so brown? She back to drinking bourbon or what?

Her top teeth are veneers, they don't stain.

Her bottom teeth are her own stained teeth.

And her AMA Tribute Award, he children are grounded and successful, no drugs. Say what you will about her but she is a star!

One of the best.

Ed Sullivan with The Supremes.

R7 She was really good in that. I didn't recognize most of the songs she sang though.

Someone is bound to show up and say that Diana can't sing. It's simply not true. She had a silvery sweet and unusually pretty voice. Great with syncopation of course and tender with ballads. Diana was a better and more powerful singer in her 30s and 40s then when she was with the Supremes. She doesn't have the greatest dynamics so she relies on her beautiful phrasing and timing to project a dance number, a ballad or a great jazz tune. She was never one of the gospel girls, she is a classic singer. A lot of her stuff is before my time but there's no doubt that she was the most glamorous one of a kind STAR. No one sounds like Diana Ross.

Remember what I told you the day I set you free. Diana Ross was a WOW.

Don't look her in the eye.

Oh, Diane again.

She had no rasp to her voice so the soprano was lyrical and clear, her low tones were smoky and her belting voice strong and clean. She used that sexy rushed timing or just behind the beat phrasing to full advantage. She's a million times more talented than someone like Cher or Madonna. Diana was never the strongest voice but an unusually melodic singer with a youthful sweet sound. Combined with all her performance vulnerability and wattage - that's a star baby.

R14. You beat me to it. Thank you for posting that very important detail that OP neglected.

Happy 100th, Diana!

So young.

What's so fucking important that she changed her name from Diane to Diana? Barbara altered her name too. Mary Louise Streep, Cherilyn Sarkisian, Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien...

R18 It's the fact that OP made a point of mentioning her middle name, yet leaving out her real first name. She was always Diane until she became "Supreme".

Love her songs -

[quote]he eventually left The Supremes to embark on a successful solo career having five #1 hits, and

I had that off of one album

[Quote]I had that off of one album — Whitney Houston

Yeah, bitch, but you're dead.

My middle name is Ernestine!

I remember she was AWFUL on the Divas Live thing.

But now I suspect she was just drunk. Because her voice is better in more recent clips.

I think this clip from Ms. Ross' movie Mahogany sums it all up

I love the Q&A sessions she has at her current concerts. She's become more mellow and personable in her older years. I think at this stage of the game, she just wants to have a good time with her adoring fans.

I'd love for her to do a team concert with Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson. I'd definitely pay good money to see that.

You just know that her pussy stinks! Pee you!

"Oh, Diane again. —Mary Wilson"

The closest we get to remembering you, Miss Wilson, is when other DLer's "MARY!" someone.

"You just know that her pussy stinks! Pee you! —Mary"

Gurl, don't make me take a Wiz on you!

Cats Love Ms Ross !!!!!!!

Dear Diane. SO happy she made it this far. The usual life expectancy for hoppers with frog faces is about ten years. She really IS one of a kind.

Hey, Diane. Berry says he can almost remember banging you the last time and how your old snatch was like a fruit roll up all rolled out, except he said he didn't know jack mackerel was a fruit. We all laughed so hard at that. I got it re-corded on my cell. He can really tell the stories. And did you know he always had a secret movie camera going during your private "vocal training"? Posterity, Diane. I guarantee you will be re-membered. I will see to it. Maybe we shouldn't wait for you to pass, but what's a few months?

You sure have led a charmed life, baby. And some people still re-call you and what they think you used to sound like. Sweetest little mouse-fart voice MoTown ever hyper-miked, never missing a beat as you shoved the other girls off the stage.

Kisses.

Oh, and doesn't Mary look wonderful here? Hard to believe you're both the same age, isn't it? Berry thought so.

Mary looks like Bernie Mac in drag in R31 , Ms. Warwick well there is always that one turd that refuses to go down when flushed

The Miss Warwick poster has dementia right? I heard his threads were banned for being racist. They are usually crossed out. The Warwick persona was a construct to post racist comments about black women singers. That long thread when Whitney died was disgusting. Sad that he has google alerts to bring him to these threads. Happy Birthday Diana Ross.

Money! It makes all the difference! It can cure debasement and a poverty stricken back grown...She looked street before NOW look at even in her 70s looks she looks fantastic !. The same with Viola Davis, she is beautiful!. Lupita and Alfred Woodard were born into affluence and always had a way about them! I'm a black guy who is willing to admit this. Money! as Liza and Joel sang it makes the world go round".

I saw Diana Ross for the first time in concert last summer in NYC. She was incredible.

That thin voice on records is actually a pretty full sound in person.

My eldergay children I cannot hold back the tears, your comments have touched my soul !!! I love you all !!!! This is my gift to you in celebration of all the pleasure you have given me as my fans !!!! When you are looking at me I am looking at you !!! I am really am !!!

R25 That looks like a hilarious vanity project. Was it taken seriously when it came out?

R37 must be new around here.

Ross has had bad teeth for decades. Some suspected either bulimia or drug addiction.

It's her turn, this is my favorite ballad of Ms. Ross. She is nasal as hell here....but Diana can sing. Her voice is sweet...............just listen to that melody.

I just love her. She was a 60s and 70s icon. I also like that Babs hated her for putting out the Funny Girl album with the Supremes; Diana's songs were always more fun. She is still one of the wealthiest Motown singers, so she wasn't a dummy when it came to her coins. Happy Birthday Miss Ross!!

R40 She sounded pretty good for someone sitting in a chair giving an interview.

[quote]She is still one of the wealthiest Motown singers, so she wasn't a dummy when it came to her coins.

That wasn't because of Motown. She only saw real coin when she moved to RCA.

[Quote]I also like that Babs hated her for putting out the Funny Girl album with the Supremes

I was just thinking about that, r41! Ed Sullivan even had them perform a medley from their album on his show. Barbra must've hit the roof over this!

R44 No, what made Barbra angry was when Ross was allowed to release the title song from Funny Girl, which had been written for the film, before Streisand released it.

I can understand why Streisand would be angry. But I think she was more angry with the composers for making it available to Ross.

I do think it made Ross seem second-rate, to be career stalking Streisand like that. Streisand would never record any songs associated with Ross.

R44 Ross's singing is good on I'm the Greatest Star, but her acting is community theater.

She did learn to act, but she couldn't do it very well then.

[quote] Alfred Woodard

OMG -- has Alfre transitioned? Why wasn't this ever mentioned on DL?

[quote] She is still one of the wealthiest Motown singers, so she wasn't a dummy when it came to her coins. Happy Birthday Miss Ross!!

She had a net worth less than $500k when she left Motown. She has worked tirelessly since 1980 to build her entire 9-figure fortune.

Oh, look. "Brownie" at R33, the racist hate-monger crank, pops up like a tampon in a septic pond.

Hi, Brownie. Ever get the black mold out of your mama's cellar? Sleeping must be a bitch.

R48, really? I thought she had more money than that, and that her husband at the time was rich, too. Wow.

Ignore R33 and all his posts here. Otherwise it'll just keep on and on. He'll burn himself out and move on, with any luck.

Ignore the racist at R31, R49 and R50. THAT miss warwick poster is as described. He will use lots of shit references and call black men baboons and illiterates. Contact mediapolis and inquire about that old man from Missouri who posts as Miss Warwick if you have any questions or doubts. I am R33 and have no reason to go anywhere. I am neither racist or brown. I'm a white musician who called out that poster's racial hatred. Therefore the miss warwick threads are banned. I didn't accomplish this alone. If you don't believe me, contact Datalounge. There is certainly no reason for me to go anywhere. I am not the one posting hate filled messages. Pay attention to me old man, aka R31, r49 and R50. You can type what you like but what you put out is revelatory. Your posts were previously judged as racist hate speech, not satire. Continue harassing me if you want them flagged and deleted. I'm not going anywhere so watch your mouth with me.

Yeah, R33 needs to shit itself into oblivion.

Oh, look! Just like the posters predicted, R33 et al. was provoked and spews the exact same fantasy crap she always does. She imagines every person who challenges her idiocy is the same poster because she's some racist megalip tapping out her hate on a library computer, wearing an overcoat in summer and scratching at the fleas under her stocking cap. She says she has dossiers and bios on everyone and has talked to prosecutors and lawyers about having the DL "arrested."

Such a sad case. Hates whites and gays and has threatened to cut people's throats here. The equivalent of the crazy bum who screams while walking down the street. Lacks all understanding and hijacks threats.

You're watching us, your poor thing? Well, we're smelling you. Shoo. And learn what Cottonelle is for. Ooga.

[quote]She had a net worth less than $500k when she left Motown. She has worked tirelessly since 1980 to build her entire 9-figure fortune.

She married a billionaire. Diane worked tirelessly ON HER BACK.

In other words: Nothing changed.

Burn! I know that fool. Ruins good threads.

Just let it go, R55. That nut will just say you're the same poster. Everyone that nut doesn't like is "Miss Warwick" to her. It seems like a real psychiatric issue.

Does Diana Ross have any real friends in the business? It sounds like no one likes her.

I think that's the way she THINKS she wants it. Maybe it was a Gordy thing but it's too late to go back. I think her behavior at the Motown anniversary, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera cemented her reputation. People behind the scenes don't like her much either but there is still an audience for her.

Oh Papa Tooney. We've got a looney.

Red Tag Sale.

I'm torn about Miss Ross. On the one hand, her legacy is incredible...12 No. 1 songs with the Supremes, five solo No. 1s. one duet at the top spot for 9 weeks, an Oscar nomination,etc. Yet I always think of the Motown 25 extravaganza, when she had her big solo, then called out Mary and Cindy and let them sing one line of "Someday We'll Be Together", before bringing everybody else on stage. She couldn't let them have five minutes in her spotlight.

She’s still in that shitty business?

R61, I'm actually torn about the Motown 25th. No question Ross behaved badly throughout. Remember how she sneaked onstage and did that bump and grind dance behind Adam Ant during his pathetic Where Did Our Love Go? But Mary just really pushed her buttons. Notice that Diana comes out in silver and black and Cindy is in white. Mary comes out in blazing red. After the shove (destroyed by Motown but I have to think a copy exists somewhere) the stage manager sent Smokey out to try to diffuse the situation. It certainly wasn't Diana who wanted her moment horned in by Robinson.

[quote]I do think it made Ross seem second-rate, to be career stalking Streisand like that. Streisand would never record any songs associated with Ross.

Streisand started performing Didn't We in her act a year or two after Ross had put it in hers (It appears on the Supremes "Farewell" album and Diana sang it on her first solo shows)

Streisand was also second choice for The Main Event which was originally offered to Diana.

Diana would have been fabulous in The Main Event, more so than Streisand, who had to add pointless shots of her ass throughout it.

Regarding Motown 25, Mary was looking for a fight, and she got it. She ran the Supremes into the ground by having her then husband manage the group, racking up a ton of debt because he had no experience. She then gave up the Supremes name to Berry in return for a solo album deal. After one album with wasn't promoted (Gordy knew a sucker when he saw one), she was dropped. She then saw Dreamgirls and decided that would be her cash cow. The problem is she's now broke and begging Ross for a reunion every few months. Sucks to be her!

Supposedly, r61, Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong tried to upstage Diana Ross by straying from the planned choreography and and taking lead on the vocals. Mary exacerbated the situation by attempting to call out for Berry Gordy at the end of the now-abbreviated number, which Diana apparently was supposed to do. Diana was fucking pissed, because she felt Mary was unjustly trying to claim the spotlight, and had used poor Cindy as an accomplice.

Honestly, if Mary hadn't tried to sabotage the number like she did, and had just performed her background vocals as required, they would've been able to sing the entire song as originally planned.

[Quote]However, the most entertaining part of the production was never shown to the public: the notorious Supremes reunion, when [bold]Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong unexpectedly upstaged Diana Ross. Ross – who rejected a multi-song medley in favor of a single number – was initially confused as Wilson and Birdsong strayed from the choreography of their rehearsed routine and Wilson boldly took the lead vocals on “Someday We’ll Be Together.”[/bold] But when Wilson closed the number by inviting Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. to the stage, Ross reacted violently. [Bold]Just what happened next has been in dispute – some sources say that Ross physically pushed Wilson down the stage, while other sources say that Ross merely pushed away Wilson’s microphone while she was speaking.[/bold] The videotape of the segment has never been publicly screened, but the news of Ross’ hissy fit confirmed her reputation as an imperious diva and the incident soured Wilson and Birdsong from doing any further reunions with Ross.

[quote]Remember how she sneaked onstage and did that bump and grind dance behind Adam Ant during his pathetic Where Did Our Love Go?

In fairness to Diane, she is an alcoholic and was drunk off her skinny ass.

Former cokeheads should never throw stones, Mary.

R67, I thought she was high as a kite on the Motown special. She looked wild eyed throughout and her singing was terrible. If the Supremes finished "Someday", there was going to be a medley of hits. That would have been the opening for a real tour. That was just a lost opportunity. I thought Mary was also not professional but everyone backstage hated Diana. After Diana threw her fur on the ground, Richard Pryor told her to step on.

Cindy, the only coke you could afford is the one in a can. And judging from your waistline, you haven't missed drinking many.

Also, Diana had that lipstick smear on her teeth throughout. Now that's not a big thing ordinarily but the entire event was such a strange revelation about her. Almost as if she were saying, Yes, I'm a cunt. What about it?

Mary's used to being on her knees. Just ask Tom Jones and 90% of the men at Motown!

Diana's not even thinking about Mary Wilson. But she does think about Cindy Birdsong, and would communicate with her - but she doesn't know where she is.

Even from her permanent gig at the Detroit Memorial Park Cemetery, Flo Ballard still has a better voice than Diane.

But I have to admit that Diane has something that no one else ever had.

Meaning after Berry gave it to her it mutated.

Although to be honest her tickets are going pretty fast for the Hollywood Bowl appearance in June. I guess it's a matter of see her while you still can. Good for her. I know one "fan" I'd send to it. In a trunk.

I'd much rather see a legend like Miss Warwick than a shrieking wig like Diane.

Even if Miss W does ask us to bring her our GOOD lighters to the concerts.......

R73 its an open secret that Cindy is in California suffering from some of dementia. Scherrie Payne keeps the most contact with Cindy but Mary and Diana have both contributed to her care. Why Diana gave that response is puzzling unless she just wanted to respect Cindy's privacy...

Last year, Mary said she still keeps in touch with Cindy who is in LA. She said she doesn't want to talk about her personal life but she has some health issues. I agree, the response Diana gave is just weird. Diana also lives in LA, so if she can't find her, she obviously didn't look hard.

Thanks, r76 and r77. You would think that Diana, of all people, would know how to contact Cindy, even if Cindy has been since moved to another place/healthcare facility. Diana seems so honest in her Q&As, but maybe that reunion question is still a sore subject, and she oddly chose to say what she did about Cindy. However, she certainly conveyed how she felt about Mary Wilson!

According to sources on the internet, Cindy Birdsong has been having severe health issues and financial burdens.

After leaving Motown she has worked as a nurse, a secretary, and eventually became a minister in the Los Angeles area.

She is now 78 years old.

The ticket is to write a nasty tell-all book!

[quote] According to sources on the internet, Cindy Birdsong has been having severe health issues and financial burdens.

Mary is to blame for that. Cindy and Mary could have made millions on the "Return To Love" tour but Mary f*cked that up for everyone.

Your fave could never

she mean

we no like her

she fukd the supremes over

she say 'don't look at me in face or u fired boy'

"she fukd the supremes over"

Once again, an ambitious woman is considered mean or a bitch. The group was called the "No Hits Supremes" until Ross became the lead. I've watched the interviews of the trio; Ross had natural presence and leadership. As lead singer, she had personality to match her made for pop voice. They had something like 14 #1 hits under Ross and you knew it was the Supremes on the radio based on her sound. The trio enjoyed HUGE success and money; they've all acknowledge that.

In any industry, if the organization is failing, then the tactic has to be to reinvent it or fail. Berry Gordy reinvented the Supremes and it created the top girl group of all time. Mary has made a career of being the victim. I thought she was duplicitous and found it strange that when the Supremes lead singer spot opened up repeatedly after Ross, she never stuck it. Nonetheless, what a great musical legend they all became. It's over 5 decades later.