Diana '68 Solo 'My Man'

[PeaceNHarmony]

Can anyone identify where this clip originated?

[sansradio]

Wasn't it a Bob Hope special?

[luckyluckyme]

Here it is in color February 17, 1969

[luckyluckyme]

http://dianarosssupremes.free.fr/TV-...s-Supremes.htm

[sup_fan]

i believe this was part of their promotional work for the FG album. even though DRATS didn't include My Man on the album, it was in the film and associated with Fanny. the planned promotional work for the album [[that we know of so far) includes:

*medley on Sullivan
*Bob Hope special where they did Sam you made the pants too long and Coronet Man as a group and My Man as a solo for DR
*planned medley on tcb

wonder if they incorporated any of the content into their stage act? at least in the fall of 68?

[reese]

wonder if they incorporated any of the content into their stage act? at least in the fall of 68?

Other than MY MAN [[which as you mentioned wasn't on the album), I don't think so. Considering the album flopped, maybe it wasn't worth paying for musical arrangements to put it into the act.

But a slot on a tv show like Bob Hope's couldn't hurt if for nothing else, it showed their versatility.

[sup_fan]

well they'd already invested in the musical charts for Sullivan and TCB. My guess is they were anticipating this being a huge success and were ready to dive into promoting it.

seems like the TCB stuff was never finished - wonder if that was more because they knew they were already in excess of content needed for the final broadcast rather than the flopping album. the taping for TCB was done in August and the album had only just been released

whereas maybe by the time Sullivan came around, they figured "yikes - we better try another push of this thing and generate some sales" since that was late Sept that they did the performance. and probably by then they saw that sales are anemic.

[reese]

well they'd already invested in the musical charts for Sullivan and TCB. My guess is they were anticipating this being a huge success and were ready to dive into promoting it.

seems like the TCB stuff was never finished - wonder if that was more because they knew they were already in excess of content needed for the final broadcast rather than the flopping album. the taping for TCB was done in August and the album had only just been released

whereas maybe by the time Sullivan came around, they figured "yikes - we better try another push of this thing and generate some sales" since that was late Sept that they did the performance. and probably by then they saw that sales are anemic.

Like most tv specials, they probably filmed more than they would need. At the time of TCB's taping, FG was still new so they probably just didn't get around to finishing the number. If it had been completed and included in the special, it might have helped the FG album as TCB did very well in the ratings.

But where in the show would they have placed it? It would be nice to know if there were more outtakes. Did the Tempts get a solo production number as well?

[sup_fan]

Like most tv specials, they probably filmed more than they would need. At the time of TCB's taping, FG was still new so they probably just didn't get around to finishing the number. If it had been completed and included in the special, it might have helped the FG album as TCB did very well in the ratings.

But where in the show would they have placed it? It would be nice to know if there were more outtakes. Did the Tempts get a solo production number as well?

i agree about taping more than they needed. similar to how gordy would have them record more than the necessary number of tracks for an album and pick and choose the best.

i have no evidence or idea but i wonder if the Afro Vogue dance idea came up a little later? maybe that would have been the spot? or maybe they were thinking "we'll tape FG and Afro and see which turns out the best" clearly the strategy was to provide a showcase for Diana and if a solo segment of hers came out strong, it would definitely trump something with the group

[bradsupremes]

i agree about taping more than they needed. similar to how gordy would have them record more than the necessary number of tracks for an album and pick and choose the best.

i have no evidence or idea but i wonder if the Afro Vogue dance idea came up a little later? maybe that would have been the spot? or maybe they were thinking "we'll tape FG and Afro and see which turns out the best" clearly the strategy was to provide a showcase for Diana and if a solo segment of hers came out strong, it would definitely trump something with the group

I'm positive the Afro Vogue segment was planned well ahead just as the other numbers. You have to consider the arrangements, costumes, choreography, Diana's photo segments, etc. all had to be worked on ahead of time so it was ready when they began to film for those 3 days. They filmed more than they could fit into the special. The "I'm The Greatest Star" segment would have been a feature for the girls, but as George and Andy pointed out the tape with the music ran out so there was no way they could complete the number while they were filming it. It was probably decided right there as they were filming it that it couldn't be used.

[sup_fan]

I'm positive the Afro Vogue segment was planned well ahead just as the other numbers. You have to consider the arrangements, costumes, choreography, Diana's photo segments, etc. all had to be worked on ahead of time so it was ready when they began to film for those 3 days. They filmed more than they could fit into the special. The "I'm The Greatest Star" segment would have been a feature for the girls, but as George and Andy pointed out the tape with the music ran out so there was no way they could complete the number while they were filming it. It was probably decided right there as they were filming it that it couldn't be used.

yeah you're right - they had that special outlined with all the segments well ahead of time

what of TCB was recorded live and what was pre-recorded? there's the story in Randy's book about a tift between DMC during the Symphony performance and Diana saying the girls were flat, but Cindy saying their vocals were pre-recorded. But the orchestra is playing along so I was under the impression they were singing that segment live - all of them. But then you have the segments w/o the orchestra - the modern hits segment, Diana's solo for Somewhere [[except for the ending), the FG segment. My thought is those were pre-recorded vocals and applause added in?

which that makes the incomplete FG tape so odd

[TheMotownManiac]

i agree about taping more than they needed. similar to how gordy would have them record more than the necessary number of tracks for an album and pick and choose the best.

i have no evidence or idea but i wonder if the Afro Vogue dance idea came up a little later? maybe that would have been the spot? or maybe they were thinking "we'll tape FG and Afro and see which turns out the best" clearly the strategy was to provide a showcase for Diana and if a solo segment of hers came out strong, it would definitely trump something with the group

I think Afro Vogue was filmed ahead of time. In Mary’s book she talks about being on the set for Afro Vogue and having pictures of her plastered all over the set but we know that isn’t true so, I believe that they had it set from the beginning because it was a statement that they wanted to make.

I would guess that the funny girl segment would have replaced with a song in my heart and without a song and if they needed more time perhaps I hear a Symphony. Personally, I don’t care for the album or the arrangements or what they did on it Ed sullivan with it, so I think it’s lucky for everyone that it did not make it onto the special for whatever reason.

[RanRan79]

I think Afro Vogue was filmed ahead of time. In Mary’s book she talks about being on the set for Afro Vogue and having pictures of her plastered all over the set but we know that isn’t true

Do we know that? Because I just read that part in Mary's book and nothing about it seems far from true with what we know was broadcast. Mary says the background was made up of photos of Diana. We do know that photos of Diana in African wardrobe were used in the telecast. Was the original idea for the photos to be the backdrop but was then dropped after rehearsal? Or were the photos positioned on the soundstage and recorded for their parts in the telecast? When Mary wrote her book TCB hadn't aired in nearly 20 years, so her memory could be fuzzy. But I wouldn't call it an "untruth" that Mary remembered the photos as she watched the filming [[or the rehearsal) just because it didn't make it onto the final broadcast.

[BayouMotownMan]

Diana performed this on a Bob Hope special in early 1969. Afterward Hope came out and did a medley of songs with her mixing humor. That same medley was done verbatim four years later when Jean, Mary and Lynda did his special. The three ladies broke up Diana's solos among themselves.

[johnjeb]

I saw Diana Ross sing My Man in either the summer of '67 or '69. I know the theater where I saw her sing it but can't remember which year. She said that it was a new song that she was working on. She was alone on the stage and sat either at the edge of the stage or on a small stool. She also used the sheet music to familiarize herself with the lyrics.

[reese]

I saw Diana Ross sing My Man in either the summer of '67 or '69. I know the theater where I saw her sing it but can't remember which year. She said that it was a new song that she was working on. She was alone on the stage and sat either at the edge of the stage or on a small stool. She also used the sheet music to familiarize herself with the lyrics.

More than likely it was 1969. It was around that time that Jay Weston saw her perform it at the Waldorf and thought she'd be great as Billie Holiday in his upcoming film.

[sup_fan]

More than likely it was 1969. It was around that time that Jay Weston saw her perform it at the Waldorf and thought she'd be great as Billie Holiday in his upcoming film.

i agree that odds are its 69. i think in 67 they weren't quite to the point of having Diana doing a full solo number in the act. regardless of the song. they were most likely still doing the Copa 67 show at this time

[PeaceNHarmony]

Thanks, all, for identifying this and for the informative comments. I had not seen this cliip before.

[sup_fan]

we need to keep in mind that being a Supreme was a JOB for mary and for diana. whereas it's an obsession for us avid fans. those are VERY different perspectives.

M and D most likely really liked their job. I like my job too [[marketing) but lord knows i could never be expected to remember every detail of every marketing campaign over decades of a career. There are things I'd surely mix and all, even if i was to write a biography on it [[not sure who'd want to read it lol but you get what i'm saying).

the majority of us on this forum are not just average or casual fans. we know EVERY detail because we obsess over them. we stare at the pics, absorb all of the info, rewatch the vids, etc. That's a level of attention to detail FAR beyond what the average person would most likely capture in their biography. perhaps Mary and the others should have passed their manuscripts by a few of us lol

[BayouMotownMan]

Tempers, tempers guys, remember the TCB and GIT specials were taped so long ago that only a select few of those involved are still with us.

Motown signed with NBC to do the special in early 1968 while Diana Ross and the Supremes were coming off of three hot sales years and the Tempts were riding almost as high. The taping came around I believe in August 1968. At this point BG had a problem. The whole point of the special was to highlight his two biggest acts while showcasing Ross as he planned to pull her out as a solo by years end. However, because of lagging record sales that didn't happen until 1970.

As taping began the Supremes were cold. The Tempts were matching or exceeding their sales. So BG couldn't showcase Ross as much as he wanted because of the cooling off period. When Love Child exploded Diana was front and center hotter than ever as the lead vocalist. So some wizardry in the editing room gave her more closeups and segments were cut. The Funny Girl lp tanked so that segment was cut out. If you notice, the songs she does with the Temptations, the emphasis was on her.

This is why it is called show business. You go where the money is and by the time the show aired in 1968, Diana Ross was the reigning goddess of pop music. In December 1968 when the show aired the Supremes had a hit lp, Love Child, a catalog Greatest Hits that was still selling in big numbers, and two No 1 lps with the Tempts. Add to this several other lps still reaping enough sales to stay in Motown's available catalog. Hers was the only name showcased on these lps. The Temptations were in a delicate situation with a new member that the public might not accept, so Motown was in the process of rebuilding that act. All of these changes happened immediately after the special was planned and was unnerving to Gordy.

The Supremes and The Temptations became Diana's supporting players. This became more apparent in GIT when she got a 10 minute solo spot out of a 42 minute show. Things were cut again to showcase her and within days of the airing of GIT the announcement was made, to no one's surprise, that she was leaving the group.

All in all, both specials accomplished what Motown wanted. Diana was now set out as a soloist, the Supremes were hot enough to introduce a new lead singer and continue selling records, and the Temptations emerged with Dennis Edwards hotter than ever.

[jobucats]

And Dennis Edwards' performance off "I'm Losin' You" on TCB pretty much confirmed that the Temptations had found a force to be reckoned with.

[TheMotownManiac]

Tempers, tempers guys, remember the TCB and GIT specials were taped so long ago that only a select few of those involved are still with us.

Motown signed with NBC to do the special in early 1968 while Diana Ross and the Supremes were coming off of three hot sales years and the Tempts were riding almost as high. The taping came around I believe in August 1968. At this point BG had a problem. The whole point of the special was to highlight his two biggest acts while showcasing Ross as he planned to pull her out as a solo by years end. However, because of lagging record sales that didn't happen until 1970.

As taping began the Supremes were cold. The Tempts were matching or exceeding their sales. So BG couldn't showcase Ross as much as he wanted because of the cooling off period. When Love Child exploded Diana was front and center hotter than ever as the lead vocalist. So some wizardry in the editing room gave her more closeups and segments were cut. The Funny Girl lp tanked so that segment was cut out. If you notice, the songs she does with the Temptations, the emphasis was on her.

This is why it is called show business. You go where the money is and by the time the show aired in 1968, Diana Ross was the reigning goddess of pop music. In December 1968 when the show aired the Supremes had a hit lp, Love Child, a catalog Greatest Hits that was still selling in big numbers, and two No 1 lps with the Tempts. Add to this several other lps still reaping enough sales to stay in Motown's available catalog. Hers was the only name showcased on these lps. The Temptations were in a delicate situation with a new member that the public might not accept, so Motown was in the process of rebuilding that act. All of these changes happened immediately after the special was planned and was unnerving to Gordy.

The Supremes and The Temptations became Diana's supporting players. This became more apparent in GIT when she got a 10 minute solo spot out of a 42 minute show. Things were cut again to showcase her and within days of the airing of GIT the announcement was made, to no one's surprise, that she was leaving the group.

All in all, both specials accomplished what Motown wanted. Diana was now set out as a soloist, the Supremes were hot enough to introduce a new lead singer and continue selling records, and the Temptations emerged with Dennis Edwards hotter than ever.

i’m fine I’m not angry at all I just don’t understand the great big fuss over me not believing there was ever a set constructed with diana‘s picture all over the place. And I still don’t believe it. And you are absolutely right about them pushing Diana, and Otis Mary and Cindy told me they were not thrilled with the Scripts. Diana had two solo spots on TCB three if you account are introduction by The Temptations. Four if you count Eleanor Rigby. That is a fair amount of screen time without Mary and Cindy. GIT was practically 1/3 Diana‘s new solo act. The leading Lady Medley and rhythm of life. And they understood what was going on that doesn’t mean they had to like it.

Aside from the shock of seeing diana ross’s name appear by itself on the screen after the announcer says “starring diana ross” And all of the solo time she got, we find out that the guy picked to do the impossible, replace David Ruffin, actually did the impossible! I can’t think of a time when a group changed popular, iconic lead singers and maintained the pace or bettered it. Plus he was cute as hell! TCB was a wonderful night.

[RanRan79]

There was no great big fuss. I told you from the beginning that I wanted understanding. Without understanding, the conclusions reached can be erroneous. From there we had what I thought was healthy discourse. We've been corresponding in this forum for years now, long enough to know that there are times when we agree and times when we disagree. True, I read what you said as "Mary's a big liar". If that wasn't your intention, I'm good with that. Anyone with enough time on their hands can certainly find my critical analysis of Mary's books right here in this forum, so the comment about what I "believe" isn't true.

I asked a question, you answered. I reckon there's nothing left for me to say.

[TheMotownManiac]

There was no great big fuss. I told you from the beginning that I wanted understanding. Without understanding, the conclusions reached can be erroneous. From there we had what I thought was healthy discourse. We've been corresponding in this forum for years now, long enough to know that there are times when we agree and times when we disagree. True, I read what you said as "Mary's a big liar". If that wasn't your intention, I'm good with that. Anyone with enough time on their hands can certainly find my critical analysis of Mary's books right here in this forum, so the comment about what I "believe" isn't true.

I asked a question, you answered. I reckon there's nothing left for me to say.

I reckon you’re right…no biggie….peace.

[Levi Stubbs Tears]

I sometimes wondered when reading that 'My Man' was performed in the 60s if there was a plan to put Diana into a Billie Holliday movie from even those early pre-solo days. But when you see/hear this cut, you think 'no way' could Diane do justice to Billie's songs. In this clip it even looks like she has accidentally put on one of Cindy's wigs.

Thank the lord she had some help with at least phrasing a few years later, because the LSTB cuts were fine but Diana from the 60s would not have been right for the movie/soundtrack.

[Spreadinglove21]

I sometimes wondered when reading that 'My Man' was performed in the 60s if there was a plan to put Diana into a Billie Holliday movie from even those early pre-solo days. But when you see/hear this cut, you think 'no way' could Diane do justice to Billie's songs. In this clip it even looks like she has accidentally put on one of Cindy's wigs.

Thank the lord she had some help with at least phrasing a few years later, because the LSTB cuts were fine but Diana from the 60s would not have been right for the movie/soundtrack.

I think when they had Diana sing My Man in the late 60s it wasn't to pay tribute to Billie Holliday, but to promote Diana as the Black Streisand as Streisand sang the song in Funny Girl, as it was a standard for Fanny Brice.

[TheMotownManiac]

I think when they had Diana sing My Man in the late 60s it wasn't to pay tribute to Billie Holliday, but to promote Diana as the Black Streisand as Streisand sang the song in Funny Girl, as it was a standard for Fanny Brice.

there’s a lot of chicken in the egg here I believe. Jay Weston claim to have seen Diana‘s TV special and wanted her for Lady. That was April 1971, and she was recording the songs in August. That’s pretty fast to get a deal done etc. in the cover story on diana ross it looked magazine October 69, she was talking about Billie Holiday and talking about studying Billie Holiday. Gordy must’ve had some sort of plan in mind, and it was about this time that she started doing the song. And then there’s that story JRT has in CHMR. “I supposed to cut all be true….. There was talk of The Black Barbra Streisand…. I never cared for that moniker because while there were similarities, Ross was considered much more of a popstar than the traditional Streisand. By the time she left the group, popular culture had divided with the majority of the culture going towards the more hippie kind of trend and she was not considered a trendsetter anymore. Babs never was, except her short bob was copied a lot for a while.

[sup_fan]

the FG album was clearly designed to establish DR as a black BS and to further cement her position as a versatile entertainer, not just a pop singer. the group had already successfully pushed this boundary with the Copa runs, Lincoln Center, Sing R&H lp and their tv appearances. my guess is that by doing a full show album it would begin to show theater and movie industry that DR was more than just a pop figure.

[Spreadinglove21]

the FG album was clearly designed to establish DR as a black BS and to further cement her position as a versatile entertainer, not just a pop singer. the group had already successfully pushed this boundary with the Copa runs, Lincoln Center, Sing R&H lp and their tv appearances. my guess is that by doing a full show album it would begin to show theater and movie industry that DR was more than just a pop figure.

The irony of it all was that by early 70s Streisand was working on adding contemporary pop singer to her persona with Stoney End and songs of that sort to keep relevant.

[sup_fan]

The irony of it all was that by early 70s Streisand was working on adding contemporary pop singer to her persona with Stoney End and songs of that sort to keep relevant.

you could certainly make an argument that both DR and the 70s Sups needed to spend a bit more time maintaining their current relevancy with the young adult and college audiences. sure both had huge hits but both were focusing on the Vegas crowds. Lady Sings is what, IMO, saved Diana. that broke her into the stratosphere. had that not happened, she would never have really become DIANA ROSS. the sups started new and fresh in 70 with Jean but needed to keep evolving and they didn't. the duets just bogged them down and degraded their reputation. plus the corny MOR content and vegas glitz just was running down

[TheMotownManiac]

The irony of it all was that by early 70s Streisand was working on adding contemporary pop singer to her persona with Stoney End and songs of that sort to keep relevant.

even more ironic with Arrangements bones Howe did for diana ross that got rejected!

[TNSUN]

I love this version. The arrangement has a Broadway persona. Diana Ross adds alot drama to it which makes it a signature song for her.

[jobeterob]

I love this version. The arrangement has a Broadway persona. Diana Ross adds alot drama to it which makes it a signature song for her.

I was never keen on this song; however the Motown 60 version was a show stopper and even by the 1980's Diana had learned how to make this a great part of her show.