Lionel Richie Hoping for Glastonbury Comeback with Diana Ross

[jobeterob]

http://m.insidehalton.com/whatson-story/6165559-lionel-richie-hoping-for-glastonbury-comeback-with-diana-ross

[florence]

It seems a rumour starts every year about Diana performing Glastonbury - I've given up hoping.

[marybrewster]

Lionel sounds desperate for some publicity.

[REDHOT]

I have to agree Marybrewster.

[jobeterob]

Maybe. But I think that Lionel is one of the most successful of the big Motown stars today. If you peek at the Itunes, Billboard, Amazon Charts ~ his hits packages still are on those charts from time to time ~ more so than the Temptations, Wonder, Ross, Supremes, Gaye even.

That being said, the overall sales aren't what they used to be and the money that comes out of digital isn't alot.

So maybe he, too, is looking at the concert market and trying to hit while he still has the draw.

Diana doesn't seem to want to do a lot of overseas at this stage of her life; but she did seem to go to India when they offered the big bucks.

[marv2]

Lionel is looking for a way, any way to be perceived as relevant. Why doesn't just reunite with the Commodores? He must be desperate.

[jobucats]

One of my favorite things to do lately on Facebook and on this board is to see who will write the first "Debbie Downer" comment as a response to a post that's intending to be positive.

Hold your entries. We have a winner[[s).

[Bluebrock]

It is a good way for Lionel to promote his UK tour next year. Diana has been asked to do Glastonbury at least 8 times and she has turned it down the same amount of times. It almost happened 5 or 6 years ago but it looks increasingly unlikely now for several reasons which we shall not go into here. Lets move on.

[midnightman]

Look, Lionel, if Diana says she's not doing it, guess what, buddy, SHE'S NOT DOING IT.

You better call on Walter and 'em...

[marv2]

Look, Lionel, if Diana says she's not doing it, guess what, buddy, SHE'S NOT DOING IT.

You better call on Walter and 'em...

It's strange. Lionel Richie was wildly successful back in the 80s, but that's nearly 30 years ago. I don't know anyone that's looking for him today. He never made it over with a lot of people like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Rick James, Bob Marley or original members of the Temptations for some reason. You know how an artist can be revered, I never got that from Lionel Richie LOL!

[copley]

Diana Ross will NEVER EVER appear at Glastonbury until hell freezes over! It's a bit like saying that ABBA are going to reform!

[marv2]

Diana Ross will NEVER EVER appear at Glastonbury until hell freezes over! It's a bit like saying that ABBA are going to reform!

I am sorry, I do not what Glastonbury is? Can you help?

[copley]

http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

Biggest music festival in the UK. Been running since 1970

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glastonbury_Festival

[marv2]

http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

Biggest music festival in the UK. Been running since 1970

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glastonbury_Festival

Thank you Copley..........you're a star!

[jobeterob]

Maybe they are paying Lionel something to try and get Diana! Everybody seems to want Diana - Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels, Taranji Henson, and Lionel.

Copley, why would Diana not appear at Glastonbury?

Maybe saying Diana will appear at Glastonbury is like saying there will be a Supremes Reunion! Oh, right, Mary wants her too!

[copley]

Wrong venue, wrong audience, just wrong. Dolly did it, Shirley did it in wellingtons but Diana - nope just can't see it.

[jobeterob]

Wrong venue, wrong audience, just wrong. Dolly did it, Shirley did it in wellingtons but Diana - nope just can't see it.

Thanks for the good response.

[jobeterob]

One of my favorite things to do lately on Facebook and on this board is to see who will write the first "Debbie Downer" comment as a response to a post that's intending to be positive.

Hold your entries. We have a winner[[s).

Spectacular response. Another winner.

This response ranks with Roberta's when she told someone "He has you on ignore, dear, so he simply didn't see what you wrote".

Thanks for the laugh.

[midnightman]

It's strange. Lionel Richie was wildly successful back in the 80s, but that's nearly 30 years ago. I don't know anyone that's looking for him today. He never made it over with a lot of people like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Rick James, Bob Marley or original members of the Temptations for some reason. You know how an artist can be revered, I never got that from Lionel Richie LOL!

That's because he was [[and is) such a corny artist lol

Phil Collins had more brawn than he did lmao [[and I love Phil Collins lol)

Time hasn't helped his reputation either... they say he's the reason [[or one of them) that the '80s was considered pop drivel by critics nowadays lol

[midnightman]

Diana Ross will NEVER EVER appear at Glastonbury until hell freezes over! It's a bit like saying that ABBA are going to reform!

Lol you got it! And how many years have people been trying to get ABBA back together for one more show? LOL ;)

Diana never really did festivals, I don't think... that's the ONE thing she hasn't done and I don't honestly expect her to do it. I don't think she ever did the festival thing. Lionel joked that he brought her there to do "Endless Love" but made some lame joke lol:

http://www.nola.com/essencefest/index.ssf/2014/07/lionel_richie_played_to_an_eve.html

[marv2]

Wrong venue, wrong audience, just wrong. Dolly did it, Shirley did it in wellingtons but Diana - nope just can't see it.

She's playing a cruise ship. She's played county fairs this year.

[marv2]

That's because he was [[and is) such a corny artist lol

Phil Collins had more brawn than he did lmao [[and I love Phil Collins lol)

Time hasn't helped his reputation either... they say he's the reason [[or one of them) that the '80s was considered pop drivel by critics nowadays lol


I think you are right now the money Midnightman. In fact, I've heard people refer to Lionel Richie as "the black Barry Manilow"! LOL! it's partly his fault too.

[marv2]

Lol you got it! And how many years have people been trying to get ABBA back together for one more show? LOL ;)

Diana never really did festivals, I don't think... that's the ONE thing she hasn't done and I don't honestly expect her to do it. I don't think she ever did the festival thing. Lionel joked that he brought her there to do "Endless Love" but made some lame joke lol:

http://www.nola.com/essencefest/index.ssf/2014/07/lionel_richie_played_to_an_eve.html

She did the Jamaican Jazz Festival in 2008, but that didn't go so good. They booed her off the stage.

[vgalindo]

She's playing a cruise ship. She's played county fairs this year.

She did do the Big Fair in Fresno CA. But it was not the normal county fair stage show. It was held in an amphitheater where you had to buy separate tickets to see her. I seen Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson on two separate occasions a few years ago at my local county fair and they were great. However you didn't have to pay extra to see them. Their performance was included with the price of admission.

[marv2]

She did do the Big Fair in Fresno CA. But it was not the normal county fair stage show.

Nothing Diana Ross does is normal to you, ok? LOL!

[copley]

Just a final comment for now. When Dolly & Lionel played Glastonbury both achieved huge album sales in the UK. 'Blue Smoke - The Best of Dolly Parton' double CD reached #2. Lionel went one better this year and made #1 with a re-entry of Lionel Richie & The Commodores: 'The Definitive Collection'. If Diana wanted some big time chart action in the UK it's 99.9% guaranteed to happen if she was to appear at Glastonbury. Of course I don't really think that she gives a damn as she's got nothing to prove. She is probably very happy living in semi retirement doing what she wants when she wants!

[vgalindo]

Nothing Diana Ross does is normal to you, ok? LOL!
Just stating the facts. It isn't the norm to pay separate for a concert at a county fair!

[marv2]

Just a final comment for now. When Dolly & Lionel played Glastonbury both achieved huge album sales in the UK. 'Blue Smoke - The Best of Dolly Parton' double CD reached #2. Lionel went one better this year and made #1 with a re-entry of Lionel Richie & The Commodores: 'The Definitive Collection'. If Diana wanted some big time chart action in the UK it's 99.9% guaranteed to happen if she was to appear at Glastonbury. Of course I don't really think that she gives a damn as she's got nothing to prove. She is probably very happy living in semi retirement doing what she wants when she wants!

You are most probably right.

[marv2]

Just stating the facts. It isn't the norm to pay separate for a concert at a county fair!

Maybe that's why she came in 3rd place in terms of ticket sales this year there behind two acts I never heard of.

[jobeterob]

I think the real hope of about 3 posters is that there must be some way to get the Queen of Motown down to the level of the only other original Supreme - no hits, appearances before 30 seat audiences, having to borrow money!

And please oh please they can't hear about $500000 appearances, more hits, sold tours for years on end, invitations from Lionel Oprah Tyler Taranji smokey berry et al

But facts are facts

[midnightman]

Just a final comment for now. When Dolly & Lionel played Glastonbury both achieved huge album sales in the UK. 'Blue Smoke - The Best of Dolly Parton' double CD reached #2. Lionel went one better this year and made #1 with a re-entry of Lionel Richie & The Commodores: 'The Definitive Collection'. If Diana wanted some big time chart action in the UK it's 99.9% guaranteed to happen if she was to appear at Glastonbury. Of course I don't really think that she gives a damn as she's got nothing to prove. She is probably very happy living in semi retirement doing what she wants when she wants!

WELL she's a new-ish grandmother now so that is probably taking much of her time. Then again, Diana stopped doing really big things after that tour to be honest.

[midnightman]

She did the Jamaican Jazz Festival in 2008, but that didn't go so good. They booed her off the stage.

Oh my God, I forgot about that one. I think I remember people talking about it on the old SDF site!

[midnightman]

I think you are right now the money Midnightman. In fact, I've heard people refer to Lionel Richie as "the black Barry Manilow"! LOL! it's partly his fault too.

Yep. He was the unfunkiest black man of the 1980s. LOL and yep you're right, he was indeed the black Manilow. :D

[marv2]

Oh my God, I forgot about that one. I think I remember people talking about it on the old SDF site!

They had many videos of "the event" on Youtube and TMZ! TMZ should have moderated their comments section because those Jamaicans roasted Diana over coals something awful. LOL!

[marv2]

Yep. He was the unfunkiest black man of the 1980s. LOL and yep you're right, he was indeed the black Manilow. :D

It was a stark contrast to the Lionel Richie of the Commodores and the arena concerts I saw them do in the 70s. They were funky then.

[marv2]

WELL she's a new-ish grandmother now so that is probably taking much of her time. Then again, Diana stopped doing really big things after that tour to be honest.

I think THAt tour had a more devastating effect to her career than some of her fans like to admit or even accept.

[midnightman]

They had many videos of "the event" on Youtube and TMZ! TMZ should have moderated their comments section because those Jamaicans roasted Diana over coals something awful. LOL!

Yeah I googled it. I forgot how bad it was. But that's what you get when you don't want the big screens on ya lol

[midnightman]

It was a stark contrast to the Lionel Richie of the Commodores and the arena concerts I saw them do in the 70s. They were funky then.

Yeah. Makes you think what happened lol but I guess as Lionel began to make money off those ballads, he figured he would make peanuts doing funky R&B stuff. A shame but it kinda shows you where he was at at the time [[and now). It was more about money and stardom than it was music. Lionel was addicted to it.

[midnightman]

I think THAt tour had a more devastating effect to her career than some of her fans like to admit or even accept.

Yeah. I think that tour threw her in a tailspin... even her family said she was struggling for a while because of it.

[Bluebrock]

Final word - If Diana wanted to do Glastonbury she would do it. Virtually anyone who is anyone has played this festival over the past 40 years. Just google the guest lists over the years if anyone in the USA does not believe me, but the fact remains Diana does not want to do Glastonbury. The organisers ask her every year and every year she says no. Glastonbury is a very big deal. Beyoncé said it was the highlight of her career so let's not pretend that Diana would be lowering herself by playing there. The demand for her to play Glastonbury is immense but it won't happen because she does not wish to do it. End of story.

[midnightman]

Yeah, like I said, if she really wanted to do it, she would. She just don't want to.

[Bluebrock]

Yeah, like I said, if she really wanted to do it, she would. She just don't want to.

100% correct midnightman.

Same goes for the Producers of "Empire" pursuing her. If she wanted to do it she would but she does not want to.

[Roberta75]

Final word - If Diana wanted to do Glastonbury she would do it. Virtually anyone who is anyone has played this festival over the past 40 years. Just google the guest lists over the years if anyone in the USA does not believe me, but the fact remains Diana does not want to do Glastonbury. The organisers ask her every year and every year she says no. Glastonbury is a very big deal. Beyoncé said it was the highlight of her career so let's not pretend that Diana would be lowering herself by playing there. The demand for her to play Glastonbury is immense but it won't happen because she does not wish to do it. End of story.

Thank you for your classy and honest response dear Bluebrock. Miss Ross and Mr Ritchie are still real big draws on the concert circuitts and theres no need for people here to be disrespecting them or rehashing old stories from decades Ago.


Fondly,

Roberta

[marybrewster]

One of my favorite things to do lately on Facebook and on this board is to see who will write the first "Debbie Downer" comment as a response to a post that's intending to be positive.

Hold your entries. We have a winner[[s).

I reread the article just to see if I may have been premature in my criticism of Lionel.

Nope. Still sounds desperate.

[Ollie9]

I think she will do it.... I'm saving half my pocket money a week in anticipation.

[jobeterob]

Does the artist normally get paid to do this show?

[Bluebrock]

Does the artist normally get paid to do this show?
Yes they do. It is a good pay day but it is more lucrative because of all the publicity over Europe where the festival is broadcast live, so the potential audience is massive and of course this means extra sales whether it be physical or downloads.
Despite this Diana Ross will not be participating anytime soon unless she has a big change of heart. If she is to travel overseas she would prefer more intimate private gigs which of course pay handsomely but do not provide the same amount of publicity.

[jobeterob]

Yes they do. It is a good pay day but it is more lucrative because of all the publicity over Europe where the festival is broadcast live, so the potential audience is massive and of course this means extra sales whether it be physical or downloads.
Despite this Diana Ross will not be participating anytime soon unless she has a big change of heart. If she is to travel overseas she would prefer more intimate private gigs which of course pay handsomely but do not provide the same amount of publicity.


It's been a long time since she's been to Europe. Travelling wears on people as they age. But she did make the trek to India. So she might........

However she doesn't seem to respond to public pleas to make appearance in movies and here and there ~ so I wouldn't expect the public plea to push this high up her list.

But she basically does have a show ready; all she would need to do is insert I'm Still Waiting and a couple of the other big European hits.

[marv2]

It's been a long time since she's been to Europe. Travelling wears on people as they age. But she did make the trek to India. So she might........

However she doesn't seem to respond to public pleas to make appearance in movies and here and there ~ so I wouldn't expect the public plea to push this high up her list.

But she basically does have a show ready; all she would need to do is insert I'm Still Waiting and a couple of the other big European hits.

Problem is, it is the SAME show that she's had ready for 30 odd years! She's working like a dog here in the States, she might as well go and get the money.

[TheMotownManiac]

One would think that, after 50 years, people would realize Diana does what she wants and doesn't care how it looks to others. To most, The Wiz seemed a bad idea, but she wanted it and rejected A Star Is Born, The Bodyguard and The Main Event, but liked doing The Wiz and that's that. If she chooses to play small theaters that seat 1500 instead of Glastonberry which is huge, it's how she feels about it. She did several European arena tours after 2000 that sold out everywhere, but hasn't been in 7 years, yet she plays the same smaller venues over and over in The US or does arenas in Asia and South America. Why would she choose to fly to Japan and Singapore but not England or Holland?
She only did her Hawaii shows because of the wedding and all four sold out - yet will not go back.

I'll never figure her out and don't even try.

[jobeterob]

Ironic, your observation on the movies.

In the end, she might have had a better vision about what to do than most of us thought ~ because of those movies, it is The Wiz that has lasted, gained legs and more legs year after year, and looks primed for regular repeats for eons to come.

I agree with you; she travels when and where she wants and picks and chooses; which is as it should be. But only she would know why.

She also seems to do a rather regular circuit touring circuit around the country ~ perhaps guided by friends, relatives and the climate!

[TheMotownManiac]

it's also interesting because she is worth a quarter to a third of a billion dollars so she is not working for the money out of any need, yet, she's got another 20 dates set for feb, a return to Vegas in April and that's a lot of work for a broad her age. She must really love doing her show, the money, or both.

My partner and I don't see her as often as we used to since her show is etched in cement, but are driving 5 hours for both Nashville shows as they have said she has changed her set list. Oddly, it was also a 5 hour drive to see Mary in Branson.

[marv2]

it's also interesting because she is worth a quarter to a third of a billion dollars so she is not working for the money out of any need, yet, she's got another 20 dates set for feb, a return to Vegas in April and that's a lot of work for a broad her age. She must really love doing her show, the money, or both.

My partner and I don't see her as often as we used to since her show is etched in cement, but are driving 5 hours for both Nashville shows as they have said she has changed her set list. Oddly, it was also a 5 hour drive to see Mary in Branson.


...and to think, I thought this was a Lionel Richie thread! the nerve huh? LOL!!!!

[TheMotownManiac]

...and to think, I thought this was a Lionel Richie thread! the nerve huh? LOL!!!!
Thread: Lionel Richie Hoping For Glastonbury Comeback With Diana Ross [[http://soulfuldetroit.com/showthread.php?15851-Lionel-Richie-Hoping-for-Glastonbury-Comeback-with-Diana-Ross/page2)The thread, as listed above is about Lionel Ritchie & diana Ross and why she repeatedly turns down this high paying/high profile annual event. LOL!!!

[jobeterob]

It's amazing how much interest there is in this kind of thread.

I think that while there may be less interest amongst the SD crowd in Lionel Richie, I think the truth is that because his peak was 20 years later, his material sells better than most of his Motown colleagues and he generally is more popular - just not with us.

Lionel should be very well heeled because he has a lot of publishing credits too. But some of those songs sure are boring.

[marv2]

It's amazing how much interest there is in this kind of thread.

I think that while there may be less interest amongst the SD crowd in Lionel Richie, I think the truth is that because his peak was 20 years later, his material sells better than most of his Motown colleagues and he generally is more popular - just not with us.

Lionel should be very well heeled because he has a lot of publishing credits too. But some of those songs sure are boring.


I could care less. Lionel Richie's music lost it's appeal with me with "Dancing on the Ceiling" back in 1986 nearly 30 years ago!

[Roberta75]

It's amazing how much interest there is in this kind of thread.

I think that while there may be less interest amongst the SD crowd in Lionel Richie, I think the truth is that because his peak was 20 years later, his material sells better than most of his Motown colleagues and he generally is more popular - just not with us.

Lionel should be very well heeled because he has a lot of publishing credits too. But some of those songs sure are boring.

Mr Lionell Ritchie is selling out stadiums in Europe so theres a real big interest in him.

fondly,

Roberta

[Bluebrock]

I don't claim to know Lionel Richie well but i have briefly met him on the odd occasion and he once said that he did not deserve to be spoken about in the same breath as Stevie and Marvin. He always came across as a very decent human being. He knows where his target audience is - the pop fans not the soul fans. He can still sell our arenas all over Europe and he is still doing what he loves. Why criticise this? If you don't like him then fair enough but he is a musical legend whether you care to admit it or not.

[Roberta75]

I don't claim to know Lionel Richie well but i have briefly met him on the odd occasion and he once said that he did not deserve to be spoken about in the same breath as Stevie and Marvin. He always came across as a very decent human being. He knows where his target audience is - the pop fans not the soul fans. He can still sell our arenas all over Europe and he is still doing what he loves. Why criticise this? If you don't like him then fair enough but he is a musical legend whether you care to admit it or not.

I totally agree gree with you dear Bluebrock. Why criticize any of our legends. If you dont like someone then dont trash them just ignore them. Why spend negative energy on folks you dont care for. Let them go and dont let them eat you up inside. I never understand the hate that people cry around for folks they dont even know. Such a waste of previous time.

have a lovely weekend dear.

Fondly,

Roberta

[jobeterob]

I totally agree gree with you dear Bluebrock. Why criticize any of our legends. If you dont like someone then dont trash them just ignore them. Why spend negative energy on folks you dont care for. Let them go and dont let them eat you up inside. I never understand the hate that people cry around for folks they dont even know. Such a waste of previous time.

have a lovely weekend dear.

Fondly,

Roberta

You both are right. People that are mean mouthed have happiness issues and beat up on others because it is all they were taught.

Lionel does appeal to a younger more pop oriented crowd but he is very popular.

[Bluebrock]

You both are right. People that are mean mouthed have happiness issues and beat up on others because it is all they were taught.

Lionel does appeal to a younger more pop oriented crowd but he is very popular.
At last a voice of reason! Lionel has just added extra dates to his 2016 UK tour due to strong demand. He sure knows how to entertain a crowd which is why he can still sell out 12,000 capacity arenas for several nights. He must be doing something right and he has my utmost respect both professionally and personally. Go Lionel!

[skooldem1]

Didn't Lionel have a #1 album just a few years ago?

[westgrandboulevard]

Skooldem....might you be thinking of 'The Definitive Collection' - ?

If so, the album did well on the UK album chart in 2003 [[ top 10, maybe # 1?).

'The Definitive Collection' had achieved sales of 3 x Platinum [[965,000 units ; British Phonographic Industry/ BPI album certification) by January this year.

It then hit # 1 in July, after his appearance here in the UK, at Glastonbury.

[Bluebrock]

Didn't Lionel have a #1 album just a few years ago?
Yes he did. "tuskegee"was a no.1 album on the Billboard chart in 2012. Enough said.

[midnightman]

Lionel definitely knows his audience...lol no one was arguing that.

[jobeterob]

Yes he did. "tuskegee"was a no.1 album on the Billboard chart in 2012. Enough said.

He's obviously in a class above the older crowd !

[jack020]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbGIX31ammc

Lionel Richie & Trijntje Oosterhuis - Face in the Crowd [[live Symphonica in Rosso 2008)