Jon Bon Jovi's Early Diana Ross Encounter

[nomis]

In 2000 Jon Bon Jovi recounted to UKs "Mail On Sunday" his first meeting with Miss Ross when he was errand boy at Power Station studios in the early 80s his duties included making coffee,sweeping the floors and fetching snacks for clientele.

"One of the diva encounters,with a Silk Electric era Diana Ross..ignoring a "Do not Enter" sign on the door to deliver a package to her,he made the mistake of calling her Diana,to which she sharply replied "Cant you read you moron ? Its Miss Ross to you.Now get the fuck out of my studio."

"It was" says an older Bon jovi "A bit of a surpise,but as soon as I left the studio it was a case of "well fuck you too,man". Dont get me wrong,shes still a great singer.But I gotta tell you,Miss Ross aint my boss."

Post script : Ross and Jovi presented an award together at the 1990 Grammy Awards, Jovi looking somewhat uncomfortable.

Why does she sometimes act like this ? stress/pressure ?..i love Diana but sometimes im perplexed at her actions.

[JLoveLamar]

This sounds like a parody of some sort.

[nomis]

This sounds like a parody of some sort.

Not at all the Daily Mail has an article today on Diana's new music video..in the comments section someone referred to this incident so i looked it up and found it and thought i would share.

[Motown Eddie]

Why does she sometimes act like this ? stress/pressure ?..i love Diana but sometimes im perplexed at her actions.

While I can't explain why Diana Ross acted that way, it's usually down to a case of entitlement. A lot of celebrities do stuff like that to throw their weight around and she probably picked it up from them.

[Jaap]

This is a stupid anecdote, but why would one ignore a "Do Not Enter" sign in a recording studio! I would be pissed too. Sounds her reaction was very logical and if it had been Robert Palmer or Nile Rodgers responding like that, JBJ probably would not have written about it. Always nice "tell all biographies" to include some juicy diva-attitudes and jump on the "Call Her Miss Ross" bandwagon.

[reese]

If the story is true, Diana could have been nicer. It sounds like Bon Jovi was probably an intern at the studio. Having been an intern myself, I can tell you that it is sometimes hard to know what to do. If the package was important and he hadn't delivered it to her, he probably would have gotten chewed out. He does deliver it and still gets chewed out. Now I definitely would NOT have called her Diana. A bad situation all around.

[khansperac]

It’s Jon who exhibited entitlement. It was him and his “privilege“ that was offended.

[SatansBlues]

It’s Jon who exhibited entitlement. It was him and his “privilege“ that was offended.

Totally agree. Why would anyone just walk in a recording studio with a sign that says, "Do Not Enter"? But I'm pretty sure that JBJ has never sworn at another person or worker..

[George Solomon]

Now the bitter, now the sweet... In 1986 I knocked on Miss Ross's dressing room door in Vegas then very foolishly walked right in without waiting for a response. She was laying on her sofa and somewhat startled. She very sternly said "You don't just knock and then walk right in!" My heart stopped and I choked out "I'm sorry." She then smiled sweetly and said, "it's OK." Now, I wasn't a stranger to her but I certainly wasn't familiar enough to do what I did. I know other celebrities that wouldn't have been nearly that nice. And by the way, she never asked me to call her Miss Ross.

[lucky2012]

Now the bitter, now the sweet... In 1986 I knocked on Miss Ross's dressing room door in Vegas then very foolishly walked right in without waiting for a response. She was laying on her sofa and somewhat startled. She very sternly said "You don't just knock and then walk right in!" My heart stopped and I choked out "I'm sorry." She then smiled sweetly and said, "it's OK." Now, I wasn't a stranger to her but I certainly wasn't familiar enough to do what I did. I know other celebrities that wouldn't have been nearly that nice. And by the way, she never asked me to call her Miss Ross.

Thank you, George. You put a smile on my face.

[PeaceNHarmony]

If the story is true, Diana could have been nicer. It sounds like Bon Jovi was probably an intern at the studio. Having been an intern myself, I can tell you that it is sometimes hard to know what to do. If the package was important and he hadn't delivered it to her, he probably would have gotten chewed out. He does deliver it and still gets chewed out. Now I definitely would NOT have called her Diana. A bad situation all around.JBJ [a local Jersey boy and largely regarded as quite the entitled a-ho-yougetthepicture) was indeed a long-suffering [less than 1 year) recording studio 'janitor' where he suffered the demeaning task of sweeping recording tape remnants survived the experience of commuting from NYC to his parent's upper middle class home in Perth Amboy. Yup, that guy. His ... issue ... with Diana Ross has been regurgitated for decades.

[RanRan79]

Why doesn't it surprise me to see the apologists in this thread?

I'm sorry, but as much as I love Diana Ross for all the musical joy she's brought me my entire life, if Jon's story is true- and honestly I have no reason to doubt it- this was pure disgusting. There was a way to admonish the dude about disregarding the sign without disregarding his humanity. The reason why she acted that way was because people let her get away with it. Had he cussed her out in response- the way I would have- maybe, just maybe, she would've thought twice before speaking to someone that way again. And no doubt in my mind this wasn't the first time she did this to someone and it wasn't the last. Diana's behavior is well documented. All of these stories aren't made up. The lady could be a real trip. It's a character flaw.

But yes, let's talk about how mean Mary was to Diana in her books.*rolls eyes*

[RanRan79]

If the story is true, Diana could have been nicer. It sounds like Bon Jovi was probably an intern at the studio. Having been an intern myself, I can tell you that it is sometimes hard to know what to do. If the package was important and he hadn't delivered it to her, he probably would have gotten chewed out. He does deliver it and still gets chewed out. Now I definitely would NOT have called her Diana. A bad situation all around.

The voice of reason, as usual.

[jobeterob]

Diana said she got “big headed” in the early 80’s. Lots of successful or important people do.

As she said yesterday, she was a little girl from Detroit from a modest background that had an incredible amount of success.

[nomis]

Why doesn't it surprise me to see the apologists in this thread?

I'm sorry, but as much as I love Diana Ross for all the musical joy she's brought me my entire life, if Jon's story is true- and honestly I have no reason to doubt it- this was pure disgusting. There was a way to admonish the dude about disregarding the sign without disregarding his humanity. The reason why she acted that way was because people let her get away with it. Had he cussed her out in response- the way I would have- maybe, just maybe, she would've thought twice before speaking to someone that way again. And no doubt in my mind this wasn't the first time she did this to someone and it wasn't the last. Diana's behavior is well documented. All of these stories aren't made up. The lady could be a real trip. It's a character flaw.

But yes, let's talk about how mean Mary was to Diana in her books.*rolls eyes*

RanRan you summed up the point better than i could have expressed

In Taraborrelli's third biography he takes effort to explain that Diana's short temper at times is just that - short, she lets it out in sometimes a ferocious burst..then its over.and shes over it and dosent seem to hold a grudge. [[one shining example is her willingness to work with Mary on RTL after two not so pretty autobiographies from Wilson)

Tom Adrahtas's book on Ross is full of moments of Diana showing warmth and kindness to fans who follow her tour circuits, Ed Ifkovics witty,snappy tome on Diana also includes some touching moments of Diana when she is happy to and genuinely interested about the lives of Ed and Larry..but its a yin and yang - Ifkovic also includes a story of the night Diana berrated a security guard and grabbed him by his tie which left Diana fans saddened by what they had witnessed from her that night.

When I worked at EMI I heard from one label manager of Diana letting her temper get the best of her when a young lady delivered flowers for her backstage at a concert.

Diana's Diva moments are part of her lore - not the sum part of her but they are a part of who she is.

[Ollie9]

I know people in the hotel industry who have told me how nice she can be. I have also met music industry folk who consider her a compete bitch.
When living in London during the 90’s, i would often see Diana walking in Battersea Park, sometimes with Arne. On one occasion I witnessed her screaming abuse at two young children who were simply asking her “are you Diana Ross”?. Not nice.
I almost asked her to stop, but was nervous she might tell me to piss off, thus ending my fandom right there and then lol. :eek:

[nomis]

Another example of Diana's forgiving nature and not holding on to a moment - when her marriage to Bob Ellis reached breaking point they were in a car together arguing and Ellis threatened to drive the car off the road and kill them both- Diana divorced him for those actions but stayed friendly with him afterwards...if I was put in the same postion I wouldnt be so forgiving.

[RanRan79]

RanRan you summed up the point better than i could have expressed

In Taraborrelli's third biography he takes effort to explain that Diana's short temper at times is just that - short, she lets it out in sometimes a ferocious burst..then its over.and shes over it and dosent seem to hold a grudge. [[one shining example is her willingness to work with Mary on RTL after two not so pretty autobiographies from Wilson)

Tom Adrahtas's book on Ross is full of moments of Diana showing warmth and kindness to fans who follow her tour circuits, Ed Ifkovics witty,snappy tome on Diana also includes some touching moments of Diana when she is happy to and genuinely interested about the lives of Ed and Larry..but its a yin and yang - Ifkovic also includes a story of the night Diana berrated a security guard and grabbed him by his tie which left Diana fans saddened by what they had witnessed from her that night.

When I worked at EMI I heard from one label manager of Diana letting her temper get the best of her when a young lady delivered flowers for her backstage at a concert.

Diana's Diva moments are part of her lore - not the sum part of her but they are a part of who she is.

Mary wrote about Diana having these "moments" even in the early days. How she'd fly off the handle and then act as if nothing has happened. So the idea that her antics are the result of her stardom and success doesn't ring true. Yes, Diana, like the rest of us, is a complicated human being. Deniece Williams tells a story of Diana checking someone who disrespected Deniece. The lady isn't always a monster and she so very obviously has a warm and loving side. But it was disappointing to see responses to Jon's story turned around on him, even reduced to his privilege, rather than call Diana's behavior what it was: abhorrent. Especially after Reese pointed out the predicament an intern may have found himself in at that point, having once been one himself. I guess none of it matters when it's Diana Ross against the world. In this day in age where there is so much nastiness between people- most of it nonsensical- to see more nastiness- even that of decades ago- defended just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The entitled attitudes that some people have in this world only exist because of enablers who turn the other way or even defend that behavior.

[RanRan79]

On one occasion I witnessed her screaming abuse at two young children who were simply asking her “are you Diana Ross”?. Not nice.
I almost asked her to stop, but was nervous she might tell me to piss off, thus ending my fandom right there and then lol. :eek:

You enabler!:mad::p

We must be built differently Ollie because [[a) I would've gotten involved, and [[b) I could never be a fan of Diana's after witnessing that, not an attack on children. Luckily for me I didn't see it and I have the option of thinking of you as a common internet liar whose sole mission is to attempt to disturb my love of Diana Ross. You lose again.:cool:

[nomis]

Dionne Warwicks take on the cult of Diana's behaviour in her autobiography is puzzling - I thinks its in the middle of her book [[I loaned my copy to a friend who lost it !..sigh)...From memory, Dionne recants something about Diana's behaviour in The Supremes then quickly states that she has never personally seen "that side " of Diana herself.....then in,I think, the final chapter Dionne bumps into Diana in a clothing store then tails off with an an unflattering comment about her...Its telling that even when Diana is nice someone of the stature of Warwick is suspicous of her urban legend.

[after you]

I would do the exact same things if someone walked in on me while I was recording some music that is just plain rude rude rude rude good for you Diana and in the end I’m sure she meant no harm

[after you]

And oily You are a poop disturber and I don’t believe one word that you say but you thrive on your own thinking

[nomis]

I know people in the hotel industry who have told me how nice she can be. I have also met music industry folk who consider her a compete bitch.
When living in London during the 90’s, i would often see Diana walking in Battersea Park, sometimes with Arne. On one occasion I witnessed her screaming abuse at two young children who were simply asking her “are you Diana Ross”?. Not nice.
I almost asked her to stop, but was nervous she might tell me to piss off, thus ending my fandom right there and then lol. :eek:

Ive heard of a maid delivering something to Diana's suite in a London hotel and in her excitment she said "Oh Diana ! im coming to your concert...im so excited !'...management were quickly informed that this staff member need to be fired...what i find about all these kind of shenanigans is - how its just such a waste of energy life is short..you just cannot seriously get upset if some members of the public refer to you as Diana...sometimes it dosent bother her [[As George noted) and yet at other times she will fly off the handle about it...as RanRan stated - shes done this since a teenager you cant blame Jon Bon Jovi or others who have seen the volatile flare ups...

[Ollie9]

You enabler!:mad::p

We must be built differently Ollie because [[a) I would've gotten involved, and [[b) I could never be a fan of Diana's after witnessing that, not an attack on children. Luckily for me I didn't see it and I have the option of thinking of you as a common internet liar whose sole mission is to attempt to disturb my love of Diana Ross. You lose again.:cool:

Normally i would have Ran, but it’s not always so cut and dry. This is someone i have worshipped since i was a young child, with posters on the wall buying everything I could lay my hands on. I remember Diana glaring at me as if she would rip my head off. In truth I was frozen to the spot which is very unlike me.
I’m sure she is an extremely nice person a lot of the time, but on occasion seems to lose control at the simplest of things. Also these were children.
The incident didn’t stop me being a fan, but might have had it escalated. This probably being the reason why i froze.

[Atasteofhoney]

I have loved this woman for 27 years and still do. However, this erratic behaviour is just disgusting. Especially the story with the maid made me sad. Why, oh Why, didn’t anyone in her team tell her to just stop?! Berry would never let her go on like this. Hopefully Diana is a more humble person nowadays.

[benross]

Having never recorded an album -- but I'm still waiting, Motown, if you want to give me the chance -- I believe intense concentration would be necessary and normal, as the artist would want to get every word, every note, every phrase and every nuance perfect when working in the studio. A minor flaw in a concert might not be a major concern, as performances are impermanent, but perfection is absolutely essential when making a record, as those sounds are preserved forever, whether to be savored or to stab one in the back. Too, every minute counts, studio time being as expensive as it is. I cannot fault Ms. Ross for demanding uninterrupted moments, as her standards are high, and second-best results would not suit her well in the long run. Why decimate one's career just to please some nobody? And I don't necessarily believe the words of a disgruntled delivery boy who perhaps expected much too much when he chose to ignore the "don't disturb" sign on the door.

[Ollie9]

I cannot fault Ms. Ross for demanding uninterrupted moments, as her standards are high, and second-best results would not suit her well in the long run.

The production and sound quality on those first two albums sounded extremely second rate. High standards....erm yea. Perhaps sometimes.
Have you listened to the “I Love You” album lol.

[smallworld]

Whenever I read about celebrities recalling extended periods where they virtually starved themselves to be camera ready, I always wonder about how irritable they must also have been during those times.


I witnessed her screaming abuse at two young children who were simply asking her “are you Diana Ross”?.

Did she scream: "Call me Mom, you little sh*ts!"?

[Spreadinglove21]

As Maya Angelou once said: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Sure he was wrong to step into the studio while she was busy and there was a sign saying do not enter. But she crossed the line when she cussed him out. And he was not the only one to be on the receiving end of such treatment from her. And she got away with such antics for a long time.

Hopefully she now regrets such behavior and has mellowed out and that her current Thank You album Love and Positivity 24/7 isn't just a big phony act.

As for Bon Jovi, I wonder after he became a star if his recording session was ever interrupted in such a way and if so, I hoped he reacted differently.

Fine to correct and reprimand someone so they know better, but no excuse to treat them as less than human.

[Boogiedown]

I don’t think either party comes out particularly rose smelling in this story … [& privilege points towards who ?]
who knows what instructions were given the delivery guy —-Make sure she gets this no matter what ! …. Etc. calling her Diana definitely out of line ….[but not “fucking” level out of line unless you’re someone like Alec Baldwin] …
But here’s a thought , if not being disturbed is so essential :
PUT A LOCK ON THE DAM DOOR!:p

Now I’m wondering —- what was in the package that had to be taken to her in the middle of her recording ???

Shall we call it her ‘mood medicine’ ? Lol!!

[Ollie9]

Whenever I read about celebrities recalling extended periods where they virtually starved themselves to be camera ready, I always wonder about how irritable they must also have been during those times.



Did she scream: "Call me Mom, you little sh*ts!"?

LOL. Let’s just say she wasn’t being awfully nice. The most amazing thing was how kids aged around 11/12 even knew who she was. Her hair was tied up, she was wearing a tracksuit and makeup free.
It is what it is, and I have remained a fan. I honestly think it all depends on the day, with privacy being a highly prized commodity in the life of a celeb. :)

[Guy]

It’s Jon who exhibited entitlement. It was him and his “privilege“ that was offended.

Bingo!!!!

I love this story and hope it's true. 15 years into her historic career and some delivery guy thinks he can interrupt her recording session AND call her 'Diana"?!

Feel the wrath, b*tch!!

[RanRan79]

I referenced this thread the other day when talking to someone about the current state of US society and Trumpism. The other person kept trying to make it all about the worship of Trump, but my POV was that Trumpism is just one of the many symptoms of our society that worships and gives special privileges to a select few, especially those with wealth and power. There's this need to elevate certain people to a position that is above the rest of us and if you don't bow down, they're perfectly okay with you being put down. This thread makes one thing perfectly clear: that Diana Ross could shoot someone in the middle of 5th Avenue, just like a certain somebody, and not lose any fans. Not that I'm suggesting anyone here learn of Jon's story and stop being a fan of Diana Ross. My Diana music collection aint going nowhere.:cool: But to read what she did and high five that...this thread has officially become one of the most disgusting threads I've had the displeasure of reading in this forum. It comes in third behind second place loser thread where someone defended blackface, and the most disgusting thread where a Black man in this forum disparaged Black children because they're Blackness automatically meant something negative. Not good company to be in, IMO.

[Ollie9]

I referenced this thread the other day when talking to someone about the current state of US society and Trumpism. The other person kept trying to make it all about the worship of Trump, but my POV was that Trumpism is just one of the many symptoms of our society that worships and gives special privileges to a select few, especially those with wealth and power. There's this need to elevate certain people to a position that is above the rest of us and if you don't bow down, they're perfectly okay with you being put down. This thread makes one thing perfectly clear: that Diana Ross could shoot someone in the middle of 5th Avenue, just like a certain somebody, and not lose any fans. Not that I'm suggesting anyone here learn of Jon's story and stop being a fan of Diana Ross. My Diana music collection aint going nowhere.:cool: But to read what she did and high five that...this thread has officially become one of the most disgusting threads I've had the displeasure of reading in this forum. It comes in third behind second place loser thread where someone defended blackface, and the most disgusting thread where a Black man in this forum disparaged Black children because they're Blackness automatically meant something negative. Not good company to be in, IMO.

Almost every celebrity has their sycophants. The fans who’s deferential fawning and obedience renders them incapable of comprehending their chosen one might just be less then perfect. We have two on here lol.
Perhaps i might be considered one myself, as I witnessed her cussing out some kids in the park and did not intervene. It’s subjective.
Not excusing such behaviour, but i have also heard some really nice recollections of her kindness and generosity so don’t consider her an outright bitch.
We all know Diana can be volatile, so it’s a choice we make as to how that effects us.

[Atasteofhoney]

I agree with everything RanRan79 just said. I do not like miss Ross any less in general, but this behaviour is just monstruos and should not be apologized by us fans.

[Guy]

Diana Ross was not gifted "privilege." She was Black at a time when Black was overtly, purposefully and maliciously diminished by the majority culture. Diana [[and Berry) had to DEMAND that she was accorded respect. I can't imagine the racist insults -- something way beyond "microagressions" -- that she had to endure everyday interacting with those who considered her less-than.

So a greasy-haired white dude blithely wanders into HER recording studio and calls her "Diana" like she's his maid?! What am I missing???

[PeaceNHarmony]

Diana Ross was not gifted "privilege." She was Black at a time when Black was overtly, purposefully and maliciously diminished by the majority culture. Diana [[and Berry) had to DEMAND that she was accorded respect. I can't imagine the racist insults -- something way beyond "microagressions" -- that she had to endure everyday interacting with those who considered her less-than.

So a greasy-haired white dude blithely wanders into HER recording studio and calls her "Diana" like she's his maid?! What am I missing???You are missing nothing, Guy. In fact, you state it perfectly. But, as we know, there are The Trolls who dedicate their lives to regurgitating anything about Diana Ross that they can, even decades-old stories like these.

[Nitro2015]

Diana Ross was not gifted "privilege." She was Black at a time when Black was overtly, purposefully and maliciously diminished by the majority culture. Diana [[and Berry) had to DEMAND that she was accorded respect. I can't imagine the racist insults -- something way beyond "microagressions" -- that she had to endure everyday interacting with those who considered her less-than.

So a greasy-haired white dude blithely wanders into HER recording studio and calls her "Diana" like she's his maid?! What am I missing???

So true. There's a reason she became somewhat harsh in business matters.

Women of her generation, let alone black women, wasn't supposed to speak for themselves.

I love the fact Diana's nobody's victim and always defended herself. I love the way she imposed RESPECT, loud and clear.

Yes, she overdid it sometimes and it came back to haunt her in some aspects, especially when she lost label support for her later releases. But overall Diana is an extremely achieved woman, personally and professionally.

[Boogiedown]

I don’t know anything about Bon Jovi but instead of knee jerk whining about victimhood I decided to go read about him at wiki.
I suggest others do the same. His is a wonderful self made story , and good for him. He was born of marine parents sold newspapers as a youngster and as still a youngster swept floors at a relatives recording studio for years. Kind of reminds me of Norman Whitfield at Motown.
musically he is self taught , music a genuine interest of him.
he did odds and ends at the recording studio likely whatever he was told to do , including when needed , getting a package to someone.
he wasn’t a full time delivery person with training as being such.
he mentions the excitement of rubbing elbows with people like mick jagger, David Bowie. I’m imagining in that environment there’s an air of familiarity and people in this shared space don’t go around bowing to each other and aren’t saying yes sir , no ma’am etc. in the course of interactions, I’m guessing this atmosphere is much more familiar.
he might’ve even been told , “go get this to Diana, [and hurry up she’s waiting for it] who knows , but for some reason something was being delivered to Diana in the middle of her recording so it must have been important for all the bother involved, or else just deliver it to her residence as would be normal.

anyway, I read it as Bon Jovi treating Diana Ross inclusively , like one of the guys there , doing her thing like everybody else.
he wasn’t trained to be an actual delivery guy, he was just doing his regular grunt work.
he should have called her miss Ross and should have knocked and maybe he did repeatedly before finally going in .
don’t know all speculation but certainly don’t see an evil young man here deserving of being treated like a lesser than.
poor miss Ross had no idea she was scolding a one day superstar who could reveal the story so publicly. I’ve never heard a story of him treating someone this way.

I hope whatever was in her package made her day go better.

[Spreadinglove21]

Almost every celebrity has their sycophants. The fans who’s deferential fawning and obedience renders them incapable of comprehending their chosen one might just be less then perfect. We have two on here lol.
Perhaps i might be considered one myself, as I witnessed her cussing out some kids in the park and did not intervene. It’s subjective.
Not excusing such behaviour, but i have also heard some really nice recollections of her kindness and generosity so don’t consider her an outright bitch.
We all know Diana can be volatile, so it’s a choice we make as to how that effects us.

Go to social media Travis Scott discussions to see this phenomenon in action. What he did was far worse than Diana Ross cussing out a delivery guy who would go on to become famous.

In case you haven't heard, there was a concert in Houston Friday night in which 8 people died and numerous others injured due to fans rushing the stage and security barriers. Many pleaded for the show to stop, but other than very brief pauses, Scott continued on with the show even with ambulances in the crowd so that trained medics could get to the victims. Horrifying.

But some of Scott's die hard fans are defending him for continuing on with the show amidst the carnage and pleadings.

[RanRan79]

Diana Ross was not gifted "privilege." She was Black at a time when Black was overtly, purposefully and maliciously diminished by the majority culture. Diana [[and Berry) had to DEMAND that she was accorded respect. I can't imagine the racist insults -- something way beyond "microagressions" -- that she had to endure everyday interacting with those who considered her less-than.

So a greasy-haired white dude blithely wanders into HER recording studio and calls her "Diana" like she's his maid?! What am I missing???

Uh, Diana clearly has a privilege you and I probably don't have. She wasn't born with it, but she created it for herself. I agree about her position demanding respect. There are countless threads in this forum where we've all chimed in on what it must have been like to be a Black woman in the industry when Diana was taking the world by storm. And of course the fact that she's a woman, and specifically a Black woman, meant that she would get accused of being a "bitch" and all sorts of nasty things when her male counterparts, doing the exact same thing, probably would not be reduced to such things. In fact, there's a chance that Jon's view of what happened would've been entirely different- more comical and easily forgiven- if you replace Diana's name with Gene Simmons, for example.

But none of that negates the fact that calling someone out of their name for calling you by your first name is bullshit. She could've checked him without crossing that line. We can have all the discussions in the world about microaggressions and privilege and racism, valid conversations, btw, which some folks would love to shut down [[they're banning books now for goodness sakes), but there's still a such thing as respect. Jon made the mistake of calling Diana "Diana". He didn't walk in and say "Wassup, bitch".

She was wrong. The fact that fans don't see it that way is...icky.

[RanRan79]

Almost every celebrity has their sycophants. The fans who’s deferential fawning and obedience renders them incapable of comprehending their chosen one might just be less then perfect. We have two on here lol.
Perhaps i might be considered one myself, as I witnessed her cussing out some kids in the park and did not intervene. It’s subjective.
Not excusing such behaviour, but i have also heard some really nice recollections of her kindness and generosity so don’t consider her an outright bitch.
We all know Diana can be volatile, so it’s a choice we make as to how that effects us.

I'll just never understand loving someone so much that you're incapable of calling them out when they're wrong. I get in "trouble" in my personal life with some folks because they refuse to accept that I can love you and like you and still call you out on your shit. Some folks demand blind loyalty. That aint me. I'm going to stand on right no matter the cast of characters involved. Like I said before, Diana has brought me immense musical joy for my entire life, but she didn't get nailed to a cross for me. I don't owe her any loyalty when she's out of pocket. And true enough this story is old as dirt, so it's not like it happened yesterday. But you can still call a thing a thing.

But this is our society these days in a nutshell. Everything is justifiable...I guess.

[RanRan79]

Go to social media Travis Scott discussions to see this phenomenon in action. What he did was far worse than Diana Ross cussing out a delivery guy who would go on to become famous.

In case you haven't heard, there was a concert in Houston Friday night in which 8 people died and numerous others injured due to fans rushing the stage and security barriers. Many pleaded for the show to stop, but other than very brief pauses, Scott continued on with the show even with ambulances in the crowd so that trained medics could get to the victims. Horrifying.

But some of Scott's die hard fans are defending him for continuing on with the show amidst the carnage and pleadings.

No surprises. But what's the average age of Travis' fans? They're all nuts at that time of life. Most of Diana's fans are old as dust and water. They should know better.:p

[SatansBlues]

I referenced this thread the other day when talking to someone about the current state of US society and Trumpism. The other person kept trying to make it all about the worship of Trump, but my POV was that Trumpism is just one of the many symptoms of our society that worships and gives special privileges to a select few, especially those with wealth and power. There's this need to elevate certain people to a position that is above the rest of us and if you don't bow down, they're perfectly okay with you being put down. This thread makes one thing perfectly clear: that Diana Ross could shoot someone in the middle of 5th Avenue, just like a certain somebody, and not lose any fans. Not that I'm suggesting anyone here learn of Jon's story and stop being a fan of Diana Ross. My Diana music collection aint going nowhere.:cool: But to read what she did and high five that...this thread has officially become one of the most disgusting threads I've had the displeasure of reading in this forum. It comes in third behind second place loser thread where someone defended blackface, and the most disgusting thread where a Black man in this forum disparaged Black children because they're Blackness automatically meant something negative. Not good company to be in, IMO.

I think your comparison between Donald Trump and Diana Ross is disgusting and way off base. I think her most ardent fans defend her because she has been under such constant attack from her haters. Like what was the point of even starting this particular thread? It was just to stir up her base. But the fact of the matter is if you interviewed enough people you could find negative or nasty comments have been said about EVERY celebrity and not just Diana Ross. I'm sure if you interviewed enough folks in the NY/NJ/CT area you could find someone with a gripe about Jon Bon Jovi. But I guess it's more fun to take cheap shots at DR. I noticed in the telling of his story that Jon Bon Jovi never offered up an apology for entering a recording studio with a "Do Not Enter" sign on the door. I'm sure he would feel a certain way if someone had done that to him when he was recording.

[Boogiedown]

For all we know miss Ross had her do not enter sign up because she was taking a nap.
im not picturing her in mid sentence of the singing of I WANT MUSCLES and Bon Jovi cutting in and saying hey Diana here’s your friggin package as he hurls it across the room at her.
unless it was his very first hour there, I’m guessing he was a bit more in tune to studio proceedings than that.

im now chuckling imagining the current champion of appreciation and THANK YOUs behaving this way.
Bon Jovi: holy moly, I just made the bother of bringing you your special package; I’m not asking for a tip, but what’re the magic words ?? lol

[Guy]

I dont assume that Jon Bon Jovi was some innocent babe-in-the-woods. He is a white guy from New Jersey. I don't put much stock in his choosing to characterize his behavior as innocuous and Ross' as outrageous and rude. Most of us can discern when we are being mistreated or disrespected. Allow Miss Ross the grace to determine the tone of her own emotional reaction to the world she lives in.

I was in her presence once when she was on her cellphone seemingly reading someone for filth and I thought "wow, she's just as bad as they say." At the end of her conversatiom, she said "OK, Baby, I'll talk to you soon. I love you, Rhonda!" She was talking to her daughter blowing off steam about something that wasn't going right -- as all human beings are wont to do [and I was invading her privacy].

If in that moment she thought Jon Bon Jovi was a moron, I'll trust her judgment over his version of the story -- one calculated to depict her in an unflattering light.

[Spreadinglove21]

I dont assume that Jon Bon Jovi was some innocent babe-in-the-woods. He is a white guy from New Jersey. I don't put much stock in his choosing to characterize his behavior as innocuous and Ross' as outrageous and rude. Most of us can discern when we are being mistreated or disrespected. Allow Miss Ross the grace to determine the tone of her own emotional reaction to the world she lives in.

I was in her presence once when she was on her cellphone seemingly reading someone for filth and I thought "wow, she's just as bad as they say." At the end of her conversatiom, she said "OK, Baby, I'll talk to you soon. I love you, Rhonda!" She was talking to her daughter blowing off steam about something that wasn't going right -- as all human beings are wont to do [and I was invading her privacy].

If in that moment she thought Jon Bon Jovi was a moron, I'll trust her judgment over his version of the story -- one calculated to depict her in an unflattering light.

From that perspective, Miss Ross was too nice by just cussing him out. If there was a hot pot of coffee brewing in the studio she should have then thrown the contents of the coffee pot in Bon Jovi's face. Then ordered her security detail to take him outside and give him a beating until he passed out, then they should have put his unconscious body in the trunk of a car and dumped his body in the Meadowlands and let him take care of himself once he returns to consciousness. That's the least one should expect for not respecting Diana Ross.

Likewise for the kids Ollie saw Diana Ross verbally abusing. After cussing them out she should have spanked them or beat them over the head with a rock until they were covered in blood. Miss Ross must be respected at all times.

And if anyone who disrespects and feels the wrath of Miss Ross dies in the process, so be it. I'm sure the courts will let her off on account of self defense and justifiable homicide. Miss Ross must be respected at all times and woe to anyone who doesn't meet her standard for respect.

[Nitro2015]

I don't agree that Diana's above any criticism for us, hardcore fans.

We know she's human and made mistakes as any normal person does. But we love her with all her complexities.

I don't think she had a healthy relationship with power and I do think Diana herself recognizes that. She was over-the-top with some demands and ways of being. But I also think she now understands why she acted the way she did.

Let's not forget Diana paid a dear price for her choices, good and bad. She paid her dues. She had extreme highs and extreme lows. Many people with questionable intentions made huge money exploring her life story, her temper and her mistakes. She even fell from grace for a brief period of time, and put herself back together with her head held up. And I'm certain that it was a time when she questioned what really mattered in life, career and relationships. I so admire her for putting herself back together after everything she went through.

So let's now celebrate this goddess, this survivor, this great superstar, this great pioneer, this amazingly beautiful woman and this great mother too. She is one in a million.

[Ollie9]

You are missing nothing, Guy. In fact, you state it perfectly. But, as we know, there are The Trolls who dedicate their lives to regurgitating anything about Diana Ross that they can, even decades-old stories like these.

Your getting sloppy. You remembered ‘The usual Trolls, but forgot to mention the Diana haters.

[Spreadinglove21]

I wonder if Miss Ross ever had a moment like this with someone like Jon Bon Jovi, or someone else who didn't give her due deference?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqM1ttqNA9k

[Spreadinglove21]

I don't agree that Diana's above any criticism for us, hardcore fans.

We know she's human and made mistakes as any normal person does. But we love her with all her complexities.

I don't think she had a healthy relationship with power and I do think Diana herself recognizes that. She was over-the-top with some demands and ways of being. But I also think she now understands why she acted the way she did.

Let's not forget Diana paid a dear price for her choices, good and bad. She paid her dues. She had extreme highs and extreme lows. Many people with questionable intentions made huge money exploring her life story, her temper and her mistakes. She even fell from grace for a brief period of time, and put herself back together with her head held up. And I'm certain that it was a time when she questioned what really mattered in life, career and relationships. I so admire her for putting herself back together after everything she went through.

So let's now celebrate this goddess, this survivor, this great superstar, this great pioneer, this amazingly beautiful woman and this great mother too. She is one in a million.

Well stated!

[RanRan79]

I think your comparison between Donald Trump and Diana Ross is disgusting and way off base. I think her most ardent fans defend her because she has been under such constant attack from her haters. Like what was the point of even starting this particular thread? It was just to stir up her base. But the fact of the matter is if you interviewed enough people you could find negative or nasty comments have been said about EVERY celebrity and not just Diana Ross. I'm sure if you interviewed enough folks in the NY/NJ/CT area you could find someone with a gripe about Jon Bon Jovi. But I guess it's more fun to take cheap shots at DR. I noticed in the telling of his story that Jon Bon Jovi never offered up an apology for entering a recording studio with a "Do Not Enter" sign on the door. I'm sure he would feel a certain way if someone had done that to him when he was recording.

This isn't about Diana Ross being human. Yes, every celebrity has horrible stories circulating about them. Guess what? So do the rest of us. Good grief, are there a few people [[and I do mean only a few:cool:) who could tell you a story or two about me that left a bad taste in their mouth. Shit, you might be able to find one or two right here in the forum. [[Just one or two, of course.) The issue is finding bad behavior okay, and that's what you and others in this thread have done.

My comparison between Trump and Ross was less about them and more about the people who believe whatever they do is fine and justifiable. Obviously Diana Ross isn't...well I won't go into what I think Trump is and the effect he has had on society in order to keep the political discussion at bay. But the two people at their core are incomparable. Diana's effect on the world has been largely positive, and I'll let that sit where it is.

But the spirit behind applauding bad behavior because of the person involved is exactly what we see with the current state of the country. Look at the Ahmaud Arbery case and how he's been vilified by a certain group of people because "what did he expect going for somebody's gun", when those same people would have called what happened "murder" had the races of the people involved been different. Right isn't right anymore, neither is wrong. It's all arbitrary depending on the cast of characters. That's fucked up.

Mary Wilson has been raked over the coals in this forum for writing two books in which she made certain allegations [[er recollections) regarding Diana that didn't always paint her in the best light. I don't recall Mary calling Diana out of her name in either book. But Diana can call some "kid" a moron and cuss him out for calling her "Diana" and opening a door he shouldn't have? That was an irrational reaction and every comment in this thread should have said "Diana was wrong. That was fucked up." Case closed.

Like I said, this thread is disgusting.

[Ollie9]

I don't think she had a healthy relationship with power and I do think Diana herself recognizes that. She was over-the-top with some demands and ways of being.

Is that a euphemism for being unkind to people?. Many folks have had incredibly hard lives or experienced tremendous set backs and difficulties. It’s never an excuse for bad behaviour and never should be. I remain a fan.....but.

[RanRan79]

I dont assume that Jon Bon Jovi was some innocent babe-in-the-woods. He is a white guy from New Jersey. I don't put much stock in his choosing to characterize his behavior as innocuous and Ross' as outrageous and rude. Most of us can discern when we are being mistreated or disrespected. Allow Miss Ross the grace to determine the tone of her own emotional reaction to the world she lives in.

I was in her presence once when she was on her cellphone seemingly reading someone for filth and I thought "wow, she's just as bad as they say." At the end of her conversatiom, she said "OK, Baby, I'll talk to you soon. I love you, Rhonda!" She was talking to her daughter blowing off steam about something that wasn't going right -- as all human beings are wont to do [and I was invading her privacy].

If in that moment she thought Jon Bon Jovi was a moron, I'll trust her judgment over his version of the story -- one calculated to depict her in an unflattering light.

He walked into a room that maybe he shouldn't have and called her by her first name, something he definitely shouldn't have done. Sorry, but neither of those things deserved what he claims her response was.

I'd like to see a show of hands of all those who believe she would have responded the same exact way had it been Frank Sinatra or somebody like that [[assuming they didn't know each other. Did Diana and Frank know each other?). If the story played out like Jon said it did, it was a clear case of "I'm somebody, you're nobody and I'm going to make sure you understand that before I'm through".

[RanRan79]

From that perspective, Miss Ross was too nice by just cussing him out. If there was a hot pot of coffee brewing in the studio she should have then thrown the contents of the coffee pot in Bon Jovi's face. Then ordered her security detail to take him outside and give him a beating until he passed out, then they should have put his unconscious body in the trunk of a car and dumped his body in the Meadowlands and let him take care of himself once he returns to consciousness. That's the least one should expect for not respecting Diana Ross.

Likewise for the kids Ollie saw Diana Ross verbally abusing. After cussing them out she should have spanked them or beat them over the head with a rock until they were covered in blood. Miss Ross must be respected at all times.

And if anyone who disrespects and feels the wrath of Miss Ross dies in the process, so be it. I'm sure the courts will let her off on account of self defense and justifiable homicide. Miss Ross must be respected at all times and woe to anyone who doesn't meet her standard for respect.

No doubt in my mind there are some who read this and, even recognizing your sarcasm, still thought to themselves "Yes, that's exactly what should have happened."

We're doomed.

[RanRan79]

So let's now celebrate this goddess, this survivor, this great superstar, this great pioneer, this amazingly beautiful woman and this great mother too. She is one in a million.

Definitely agree.

[Guy]

I'd like to see a show of hands of all those who believe she would have responded the same exact way had it been Frank Sinatra or somebody like that [[assuming they didn't know each other. Did Diana and Frank know each other?). If the story played out like Jon said it did, it was a clear case of "I'm somebody, you're nobody and I'm going to make sure you understand that before I'm through".

The pertinent question is whether Jon Bon Jovi would have referred to Frank Sinatra as "Frank" or "Mr. Sinatra."

[jobucats]

The pertinent question is whether Jon Bon Jovi would have referred to Frank Sinatra as "Frank" or "Mr. Sinatra."

Excellent point!

[SatansBlues]

This isn't about Diana Ross being human. Yes, every celebrity has horrible stories circulating about them. Guess what? So do the rest of us. Good grief, are there a few people [[and I do mean only a few:cool:) who could tell you a story or two about me that left a bad taste in their mouth. Shit, you might be able to find one or two right here in the forum. [[Just one or two, of course.) The issue is finding bad behavior okay, and that's what you and others in this thread have done.

My comparison between Trump and Ross was less about them and more about the people who believe whatever they do is fine and justifiable. Obviously Diana Ross isn't...well I won't go into what I think Trump is and the effect he has had on society in order to keep the political discussion at bay. But the two people at their core are incomparable. Diana's effect on the world has been largely positive, and I'll let that sit where it is.

But the spirit behind applauding bad behavior because of the person involved is exactly what we see with the current state of the country. Look at the Ahmaud Arbery case and how he's been vilified by a certain group of people because "what did he expect going for somebody's gun", when those same people would have called what happened "murder" had the races of the people involved been different. Right isn't right anymore, neither is wrong. It's all arbitrary depending on the cast of characters. That's fucked up.

Mary Wilson has been raked over the coals in this forum for writing two books in which she made certain allegations [[er recollections) regarding Diana that didn't always paint her in the best light. I don't recall Mary calling Diana out of her name in either book. But Diana can call some "kid" a moron and cuss him out for calling her "Diana" and opening a door he shouldn't have? That was an irrational reaction and every comment in this thread should have said "Diana was wrong. That was fucked up." Case closed.

Like I said, this thread is disgusting.
I find it interesting that folks are ready to condemn Diana Ross based on the story of just ONE person. We do not know what Diana's side of the story is. But by all means condemn Diana based on a ONE sided story. For all we know this was the second or third time JBJ had walked into the studio and interrupted the recording session. But he would never tell that part of the story would he?
And would he have just walked into a recording session if Frank Sinatra or Paul McCartney was inside recording? Something tells me he wouldn't have.

[Boogiedown]

The pertinent question is whether Jon Bon Jovi would have referred to Frank Sinatra as "Frank" or "Mr. Sinatra."

I heard after this incident, he refused to deliver a package to Cher.

[floyjoy678]

If this were an isolated incident then I'd say yeah let's see what the other side of the story was. But we've heard so many stories like this regarding Diana's behavior. I try to stay out of threads like this but some of these responses are making me cringe. Take away her star status and I bet none of you would let anyone speak to you that way. I sure as hell wouldn't.

[Boogiedown]

I dont assume that Jon Bon Jovi was some innocent babe-in-the-woods. He is a white guy from New Jersey. I don't put much stock in his choosing to characterize his behavior as innocuous and Ross' as outrageous and rude. Most of us can discern when we are being mistreated or disrespected. Allow Miss Ross the grace to determine the tone of her own emotional reaction to the world she lives in.

I was in her presence once when she was on her cellphone seemingly reading someone for filth and I thought "wow, she's just as bad as they say." At the end of her conversatiom, she said "OK, Baby, I'll talk to you soon. I love you, Rhonda!" She was talking to her daughter blowing off steam about something that wasn't going right -- as all human beings are wont to do [and I was invading her privacy].

If in that moment she thought Jon Bon Jovi was a moron, I'll trust her judgment over his version of the story -- one calculated to depict her in an unflattering light.
should certain conclusions be drawn about you because of the color of your skin and where you are from? Not a very ‘woke’ attitude there my friend.
your story is an interesting one but not sure how to apply it here ? Except that she certainly appears to be repeatedly moody.
And finally , it’s not that Diana thought
him a moron, it’s that she called him one.

[Boogiedown]

From that perspective, Miss Ross was too nice by just cussing him out. If there was a hot pot of coffee brewing in the studio she should have then thrown the contents of the coffee pot in Bon Jovi's face. Then ordered her security detail to take him outside and give him a beating until he passed out, then they should have put his unconscious body in the trunk of a car and dumped his body in the Meadowlands and let him take care of himself once he returns to consciousness. That's the least one should expect for not respecting Diana Ross.

Likewise for the kids Ollie saw Diana Ross verbally abusing. After cussing them out she should have spanked them or beat them over the head with a rock until they were covered in blood. Miss Ross must be respected at all times.

And if anyone who disrespects and feels the wrath of Miss Ross dies in the process, so be it. I'm sure the courts will let her off on account of self defense and justifiable homicide. Miss Ross must be respected at all times and woe to anyone who doesn't meet her standard for respect. oh my !

except she didn’t have security. Apparently all she had shielding her from this pimply faced errand boy was a keep out sign she had scrawled and taped to the door.
Well , hopefully it read,
“Do Not Enter
Thank you!”

[RanRan79]

The pertinent question is whether Jon Bon Jovi would have referred to Frank Sinatra as "Frank" or "Mr. Sinatra."

I'll actually allow that question. But it doesn't erase the validity of my point which is that Diana probably would not have treated Frank the same way if he had called her by her first name when they aren't familiar with one another.

[RanRan79]

I find it interesting that folks are ready to condemn Diana Ross based on the story of just ONE person. We do not know what Diana's side of the story is. But by all means condemn Diana based on a ONE sided story. For all we know this was the second or third time JBJ had walked into the studio and interrupted the recording session. But he would never tell that part of the story would he?
And would he have just walked into a recording session if Frank Sinatra or Paul McCartney was inside recording? Something tells me he wouldn't have.

I'm condemning Diana Ross' behavior based on the story Jon Bon Jovi tells, a story that suggests Diana has a pattern of bad behavior when coupled with the countless other stories told by others about her. I am not suggesting she be dragged out and strung up for it.

Earlier in the thread Reese relates his own experience as an intern which might explain why Jon, or any other intern, may have decided to interrupt the session. I'm guessing Jon Bon Jovi isn't the first or last intern/lackey/errand boy who made a mistake. The question is should they all be subjected to name calling or is it just the ones who do it in a Diana Ross story?

Enquiring minds want to know.

[RanRan79]

If this were an isolated incident then I'd say yeah let's see what the other side of the story was. But we've heard so many stories like this regarding Diana's behavior. I try to stay out of threads like this but some of these responses are making me cringe. Take away her star status and I bet none of you would let anyone speak to you that way. I sure as hell wouldn't.

No they wouldn't. They also wouldn't like it if it were their son or daughter or mother or father or sister or brother on the receiving end of Diana's "wrath". Or maybe they would. That's the interesting thing about the current climate of right and wrong being arbitrary. Even one's own loved ones aren't immune when they're on the opposite side of the deity.

[RanRan79]

For me, this thread has run it's course. I am disappointed in a lot of the responses here, but it's like that sometimes. I like to think of us as a forum family of sorts. Sometimes I have to put my foot up y'all's asses, and sometimes y'all have to get me together too. And then we move on to different topics and find our common ground again.

I'll see y'all in another thread. [[But reserve the right to respond to any future replies here.:))

[SatansBlues]

I'm condemning Diana Ross' behavior based on the story Jon Bon Jovi tells, a story that suggests Diana has a pattern of bad behavior when coupled with the countless other stories told by others about her. I am not suggesting she be dragged out and strung up for it.

Earlier in the thread Reese relates his own experience as an intern which might explain why Jon, or any other intern, may have decided to interrupt the session. I'm guessing Jon Bon Jovi isn't the first or last intern/lackey/errand boy who made a mistake. The question is should they all be subjected to name calling or is it just the ones who do it in a Diana Ross story?

Enquiring minds want to know.

I just find it interesting that we get these "stories" about Diana Ross all the time. But never about any other artist. I just find it curious.

[RanRan79]

I just find it interesting that we get these "stories" about Diana Ross all the time. But never about any other artist. I just find it curious.

A quick Google search about celebrity horror stories would put to rest your assertion that Diana Ross is the only celebrity who has them publicly aired. That Diana Ross horror stories account for more of those types of stories in a Diana Ross and the Supremes forum should surprise no one.

I'm more curious about the idea that all of these different people woke up one day and decided to make Diana Ross a punching bag, dragging her name through the mud, bearing false witness. She couldn't possibly have done any of the things she's been accused of, right?

[Ollie9]

. She couldn't possibly have done any of the things she's been accused of, right?

Lets hope not. In the words of a song from the new album, “The Answers Always Love.”
Having said that, i seem to remember an incident where Diana attacked members of the paparazzi with her spiked heels and smashed a camera. One of them was left bleeding, and the incident made headlines the next day.
But NO, I'm not even going there. Christmas is looming and our thoughts should be turned to more wholesome topics. I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the new album. :D

[Boogiedown]

Oh brother. I'd hardly call this topic traumatizing, except maybe for RanRan who's maybe due for one of his periodic emotional health breaks due to such trying discussions about.......Diana Ross!! :p:p ...for heaven's sakes. lol!

Posters are entitled to have their opinions without RanRan insisting over and over again that because they don't see things his way , they and their views are disgusting.

That these two didn't make up, Jon and Diana, I find suspicious.
I think there're some flaws to the story:


In 2000 Jon Bon Jovi recounted to UKs "Mail On Sunday" his first meeting with Miss Ross when he was errand boy at Power Station studios in the early 80s his duties included making coffee,sweeping the floors and fetching snacks for clientele.

Reading about him again .....wikipedia ..... Bon Jovi began working at The Power Station in 1977. Chic was one of the first big acts to score by using these studios. They eventually brought in Diana Ross there to do their big album with her. That would be 1979, not later, although Diana did record again there. But Bon Jovi is saying this is when he first encountered her.....so had to be 1979. And by first, it suggests that it wasn't the last, likely one of many .....so while it doesn't make for a good story, its likely the two patched things up .....both owed the other an apology, maybe a card, some candy, or homemade perfume ... the interviewer didn't press for more details.

So, Jon has been working there since 1977, that makes him two years into his handling the routines of the place. As the guy delivering things regularly , perhaps it was common practice that he was the exception to the do not enter rule....he's delivering stuff , he has to enter. He must be delivering things worthy of the process, pertinent to the recording he's "intruding".
It's more intrusive to knock, than slip in.

OR , perhaps the DO NOT ENTER, THANK YOU sign was a first for him, that wasn't a common practice, and it caught him off, being used to entering all the time. He assumed the sign didn't apply to him.

There's no way someone working in the studio for two years this way just barges in to critical recording sessions in the middle of say, Meco playing the trombone solo for I'M COMING OUT, and yells "hey, Meco here's your Trombone case ! I'll leave it over here by the control board." lol!.
Also Chic has been recording there this whole time ....Bon Jovi knows these guys. He's comfortable around them.

And I'm sure this sophisticated studio had at a very minimum a red light outside the studio indicating when a session was in progress. There could also have been windows and Jon looked in and saw her just sitting there. She was likely alone or else she cussed him out amongst others, people he worked around daily, which would have made it all the more uncool.

Wouldn't the doors have locks?? And if they didn't, or they didn't use them, maybe its because people go in and out the doors all the time [quietly].....especially people delivering stuff.
Jon is in-house, he's part of the system, not just any outside delivery guy who doesn't know the ropes. I doubt an outside delivery person would be able to get that far into the interior of the place, only the routine delivery person would. Point being he was in his element, knows the ropes. Somebody must have told him to take the package to her,[she's waiting for it?], he likely wasn't sitting around bored with nothing better to do and decided on a whim, "I know , I'll take this package to Diana, .... Miss Ross ."

All speculation , and if someone has as likely a scenario, go for it. What didn't happen [since he encounters her again] Jon Bon Jovi wasn't fired over it, .....so what he did wasn't viewed as egregious as Diana Ross made it out to be.

I have one other thought, an ironic one, and am surprised no ones brought it up .... next time.:)

correction:
since the album was released in May of 1980, its possible the entire thing was recorded in 1980. That only means Jon had worked the ins-and-outs of the place even longer.

[TheMotownManiac]

He walked into a room that maybe he shouldn't have and called her by her first name, something he definitely shouldn't have done. Sorry, but neither of those things deserved what he claims her response was.

I'd like to see a show of hands of all those who believe she would have responded the same exact way had it been Frank Sinatra or somebody like that [[assuming they didn't know each other. Did Diana and Frank know each other?). If the story played out like Jon said it did, it was a clear case of "I'm somebody, you're nobody and I'm going to make sure you understand that before I'm through".

brilliant! I hadn’t thought about it that way, but, I think you’ve nailed it. She has mentioned many times that she felt her older sister was approved of better or liked better or whatever you wanna call it. True or not, that may very well have played into the behavior we are now discussing. Later She was a victim of emotional abuse and dealt with it as best she could, although clearly not well. That interview in 1966 where she describes dreams of being torn apart by cats and never being able to relax shows how she coped. The stress must have been intolerable and I think lashing out released some steam. It’s never excusable, but there’s always reasons why some play “I’m better than you.”

My sister is exactly the same way, only worse, as she’s not added happiness to the world. She’s treated horribly by her husband and takes it out on the rest of us.

And I agree with those who discuss her quick temper, as her band members have mentioned stories of lightning fast outbursts and recoveries as if they never happened [[also lots of warm, fuzzy stuff.) Used to be I could get stories from employees at Caesars Palace or other venues. Imperious pretty much sums up the gist of them, but in the last 20 years or so, much the opposite. Maybe she’s mellowed or, looked back and not liked what she saw.

‘’anyway, no, I don’t think she’d have called Sinatra a moron.Lol.

[SatansBlues]

brilliant! I hadn’t thought about it that way, but, I think you’ve nailed it. She has mentioned many times that she felt her older sister was approved of better or liked better or whatever you wanna call it. True or not, that may very well have played into the behavior we are now discussing. Later She was a victim of emotional abuse and dealt with it as best she could, although clearly not well. That interview in 1966 where she describes dreams of being torn apart by cats and never being able to relax shows how she coped. The stress must have been intolerable and I think lashing out released some steam. It’s never excusable, but there’s always reasons why some play “I’m better than you.”

My sister is exactly the same way, only worse, as she’s not added happiness to the world. She’s treated horribly by her husband and takes it out on the rest of us.

And I agree with those who discuss her quick temper, as her band members have mentioned stories of lightning fast outbursts and recoveries as if they never happened [[also lots of warm, fuzzy stuff.) Used to be I could get stories from employees at Caesars Palace or other venues. Imperious pretty much sums up the gist of them, but in the last 20 years or so, much the opposite. Maybe she’s mellowed or, looked back and not liked what she saw.

‘’anyway, no, I don’t think she’d have called Sinatra a moron.Lol.
The flip side of the coin is do you think JBJ would have walked into a recording studio if Frank Sinatra was recording inside and called him Frank? Something tells me he wouldn't have done that to Frank Sinatra.

[Atasteofhoney]

I ageee and relate. I am pretty much the same, when I am under a lot of stress I burst out, yell at those around me and just act like a total bitch. I am proud of it? No! Neither do I think it is ok.
Diana must have been under an awful lot of stress. She has FIVE kids and is a house hold name star. But her behaviour was sometimes way off, no matter what reason. I love her, feel for her and only want the best for her, but let’s just say being rude is not a good way of solving stress and personal issues.

[marybrewster]

I always take these stories with a grain of salt. Not to discount Jon's experience, but events always have a way of becoming more dramatic over time. I just wonder what benefit there was in the year 2000 to tell a seemingly 20 year old story. Was he jumping on the RTL train?

[TheMotownManiac]

The flip side of the coin is do you think JBJ would have walked into a recording studio if Frank Sinatra was recording inside and called him Frank? Something tells me he wouldn't have done that to Frank Sinatra.


very good point…..I can see where folks might think of Miss Ross as more approachable in a casual manner - until this happens!

[nomis]

Someone asked earlier in the thread if Diana knew Sinatra - she did. Ross & Andy Warhol once attended a Sinatra concert and in Warhol's diaries Diana made a joke to him backstage after the concert that they were surrounded by men from the mafia..Diana with her fingers pushed her nose to one side to indicate the mafia..

On march 18th 1984 Sinatra headlined a charity concert at Radio City Music hall Diana also performed along with Luciano Pavarotti & Monserrat Caballe.

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[benross]

Yes, as mentioned by nomis, Frank Sinatra and Diana Ross were acquainted. On March 1 8, 1984, they joined forces with Luciano Pavarotti and Montserrat Caballe at Radio City Music Hall in a benefit concert for the centennial of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. They raised $3.5 million. This may have been the night when Mr. Sinatra raised Ms. Ross’ temperature, too, saying on stage that, with her long, narrow dress tapering down from her high, wide hairdo, she somewhat resembled a chocolate ice cream cone. The line was not well-received by many in the audience.