Diana Ross back in the UK charts.

[Roberta75]

Diana Ross ‘The Greatest’ album entered the UK Album chart at #24.

[carlo]

Great to hear! Diana has always done well in the UK. They have good taste. :)

[supreme_lady]

Not bad at all, way to go Ms Ross, making it her highest charting album release there since "Take Me Higher" which reached #10 in 1995. Not shabby considering Diana did no promo to support it. It even out peaked 2001's compilation "Love & Life" which only hit #28 despite having a new single on it, Going Back..... hopefully with christmas approaching fast, it would climb even higher in the charts next week:D

[Jimi LaLumia]

in the UK frequently the first week is the peak position, but with the holidays maybe this will rise..let us pray

[Roberta75]

in the UK frequently the first week is the peak position, but with the holidays maybe this will rise..let us pray

I pray for many, many things but I refuse pray for a better chart position. Surely you jest?

Roberta

[florence]

Sales look to have been around 9/9.5k.

You're going to have to pray harder though - in the first update for this week The Greatest has fallen out of the top 40.

[smark21]

I pray that Shantal Baker's Greatest Hits CD will outsell this collection by the woman Shantal replaced in the Supremes.

[dickiemint]

Diana should bring her tour to the UK and then the CD sales will rise, as it did when she toured at the time One Woman collection was released 12 years ago.

[midnightman]

The UK loves them some Miss Ross. Always has, always will. Nice showing.

[lakedistrictlad1]

It never ceases to amaze me that Diana is so enduringly popular here in Britain. We do tend to treasure our 'oldies' here. Despite her not having a single release for a few years or a U.K tour - she can still get a greatest hits in the top 30 charts. That is very impressive. Long live our second Queen!

[marv2]

It never ceases to amaze me that Diana is so enduringly popular here in Britain. We do tend to treasure our 'oldies' here. Despite her not having a single release for a few years or a U.K tour - she can still get a greatest hits in the top 30 charts. That is very impressive. Long live our second Queen!


That is sure not the case in the United States!

[selinasian]

Sales look to have been around 9/9.5k.

You're going to have to pray harder though - in the first update for this week The Greatest has fallen out of the top 40.
It wouldn't surpise me if Diana's album dropped quickly from the chart. Then, maybe re-enter somewhere nearer Christmas.
Still, she has now charted in the album chart here either solo or with the Supremes in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90,s 2000s and 2010s.

[marv2]

Here in America, she, Diana Ross has only had one single to chart in the last 27 years and that being "Take Me Higher" which got all the way up to #114 back in 1995.

[skooldem1]

At this point in time it is foolish to think Diana would have any success on the singles chart. But her detractors cling to her absence from that chart as some victory. They fail to mention her hit with Rod Stewart, her successful ALBUMS [[ILY) and BLUE.

[marv2]

At this point in time it is foolish to think Diana would have any success on the singles chart. But her detractors cling to her absence from that chart as some victory. They fail to mention her hit with Rod Stewart, her successful ALBUMS [[ILY) and BLUE.

No one under 35 would even know her musically speaking. What are you talking about ?

[skooldem1]

Wishful thinking Marv. The men love her, the women love her, and you can't stand it.... LMAO.

The charts don't lie, and Diana has done well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there a few fans on this very site who are under 35? Just wondering.

[marv2]

Wishful thinking Marv. The men love her, the women love her, and you can't stand it.... LMAO.

The charts don't lie, and Diana has done well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there a few fans on this very site who are under 35? Just wondering.

Wishful thinking? I could care less, she's not paying me whether she hits or not! LOL! But speaking of the charts......here they are! LOL!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Ross_discography


All those little tick marks under the "U.S." column, what do those mean.........?

[marv2]

Wishful thinking Marv. The men love her, the women love her, and you can't stand it.... LMAO.

The charts don't lie, and Diana has done well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there a few fans on this very site who are under 35? Just wondering.

Yeah there are some here that are under 35, but they are not typical and are very few in number. I probably should say most under 40 would not remember her being on the radio with new material.

[Glenpwood]

Unknown by the Under 35 crowd, Oh Please....

Diana Ross is a legend with enough career songs between her solo work and The Supremes years that most people under 35 on the street know who she is, if not neccessarily all her career details. Baby Love, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, & You Can't Hurry Love get tons of exposure via AC airplay and movie placement. The diana LP singles and Love Hangover got a ton of sampling in the late nineties on hit singles for MC Lyte, Puffy Daddy, Mase, Monica, Will Smith, and The Notorious B.I.G. for them to be familiar with her work. Their older family members also probably expose them to her hits [[and the rest of the Motown family) frequently as well. They may not run out and buy her greatest hits packages or wait with bated breath for Deluxe Editions from Hip-O Select but they know Diana and respect her influence on people like Beyonce and Mariah Carey.

But I suppose we needed a trash fire ignited so some folks could save on their heating bills to warm themselves by....

I guess by just turning 36 this year, I barely made the cutoff. Thank God because I would find my life less fulfilling to have never known the artistry of Diana Ross and the individual Supremes. It would suck to have to worship Rihanna instead.....;)

[simplysupreme]

Wishful thinking? I could care less,

Yeah, right! LOLOLOL

[marv2]

Unknown by the Under 35 crowd, Oh Please....

Diana Ross is a legend with enough career songs between her solo work and The Supremes years that most people under 35 on the street know who she is, if not neccessarily all her career details. Baby Love, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, & You Can't Hurry Love get tons of exposure via AC airplay and movie placement. The diana LP singles and Love Hangover got a ton of sampling in the late nineties on hit singles for MC Lyte, Puffy Daddy, Mase, Monica, Will Smith, and The Notorious B.I.G. for them to be familiar with her work. Their older family members also probably expose them to her hits [[and the rest of the Motown family) frequently as well. They may not run out and buy her greatest hits packages or wait with bated breath for Deluxe Editions from Hip-O Select but they know Diana and respect her influence on people like Beyonce and Mariah Carey.

But I suppose we needed a trash fire ignited so some folks could save on their heating bills to warm themselves by....

I guess by just turning 36 this year, I barely made the cutoff. Thank God because I would find my life less fulfilling to have never known the artistry of Diana Ross and the individual Supremes. It would suck to have to worship Rihanna instead.....;)

Stop it man, they don't! [[know Diana Ross). I live here in New York and if you ask just about any young person under 35, they'd either look at you like a fool, or they might respond something like..." Isn't she Joan from "Girlfriends" mom in real life?"! LOL!!!

[Roberta75]

Yeah, right! LOLOLOL

There isn't a day goes passed that he doesn't talk about Diane Ross but he doesn't care. Right. LOL

[Glenpwood]

I remember the hits from Upside Down forward on Detroit Top 40 radio and some of the flops radio tried to play and the songs exiled to success only on the R&B chart for the few years 87-91 after that. I also remember the Red Hot TV Special, the promo blitz with Barbara Walters for Workin' Overtime, the American Music Awards hosting gigs, appearances at the Oscars and Grammys, and the appearance as mentor on American Idol. She may not have had huge success with those album eras but she still got plenty of exposure for someone that has been forgotten......

[marv2]

Yeah, right! LOLOLOL

Seriously though. Can you explain why she has had so many many releases in in the last 30 years and most of them have tanked in the U.S. Why? I mean from what I hear from fans, she does very well in other countries. Let's discuss this phenomona with the U.S. We can even through in Mary Wilson to counter balance things LOL!!!

[simplysupreme]

There isn't a day goes passed that he doesn't talk about Diane Ross but he doesn't care. Right. LOL

Being in this thread shows "interest"! LOL

[marv2]

There isn't a day goes passed that he doesn't talk about Diane Ross but he doesn't care. Right. LOL

Oh come on Clucketta oh, I'm sorry, I meant "Roberta", free man....... You know I love Diane like I love caramel vanilla ice cream.

[simplysupreme]

Seriously though. Can you explain why she has had so many many releases in in the last 30 years and most of them have tanked in the U.S. Why? I mean from what I hear from fans, she does very well in other countries. Let's discuss this phenomona with the U.S. We can even through in Mary Wilson to counter balance things LOL!!!

Why are you wanting me to explain something you "could care less" about?

[marv2]

I remember the hits from Upside Down forward on Detroit Top 40 radio and some of the flops radio tried to play and the songs exiled to success only on the R&B chart for the few years 87-91 after that. I also remember the Red Hot TV Special, the promo blitz with Barbara Walters for Workin' Overtime, the American Music Awards hosting gigs, appearances at the Oscars and Grammys, and the appearance as mentor on American Idol. She may not have had huge success with those album eras but she still got plenty of exposure for someone that has been forgotten......

You just brought up a good point. What other artist American or not can make appearances on the following televised programs and still have their current release TANK:


The Super Bowl
The Oprah Winfrey Show
American Idol

Diana Ross appeared and performed her then lastest recordings on each of these highly viewed, very popular, nationally broadcast programs in the United States only to have her recordings completely bite it in terms of the charts and sales. How is that possible?

[RossHolloway]

Why are you wanting me to explain something you "could care less" about?

I think someone is off their medication again. It's best to just ignore them..

[Roberta75]

Why are you wanting me to explain something you "could care less" about?

Stick him on ignore simplysupreme.

[RossHolloway]

There isn't a day goes passed that he doesn't talk about Diane Ross but he doesn't care. Right. LOL


You really should just ignore the trolls, they just feed off of the attention that you give them.

[simplysupreme]

Stick him on ignore simplysupreme.

He's funny to me. Love the transparency!

[skooldem1]

The thread title alone is enough to send some over the edge. Haven't you noticed that anytime there is positive news about Diana, or about a recent "success" of hers, that people have to "balance" it?

[Roberta75]

The thread title alone is enough to send some over the edge. Haven't you noticed that anytime there is positive news about Diana, or about a recent "success" of hers, that people have to "balance" it?

LOL. So true skooldem. Especially those who have an obsession with "Diane" as the call her.

Roberta

[simplysupreme]

The thread title alone is enough to send some over the edge. Haven't you noticed that anytime there is positive news about Diana, or about a recent "success" of hers, that people have to "balance" it?

Precisely.

[marv2]

Why are you wanting me to explain something you "could care less" about?

I just find it all interesting that there can 20 different threads about her on here and yet no one ever discusses the obvious!

[marv2]

I remember the hits from Upside Down forward on Detroit Top 40 radio and some of the flops radio tried to play and the songs exiled to success only on the R&B chart for the few years 87-91 after that. I also remember the Red Hot TV Special, the promo blitz with Barbara Walters for Workin' Overtime, the American Music Awards hosting gigs, appearances at the Oscars and Grammys, and the appearance as mentor on American Idol. She may not have had huge success with those album eras but she still got plenty of exposure for someone that has been forgotten......

You help to make my point. With all that exposure, why didn't any of her recordings from the last Quarter Century plus hit the Top 100 in the U.S.?

[marv2]

According to this discography, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Ross_discography , Miss Ross has had 41 single releases since 1986 with only one, "Take Me Higher" charting in the U.S. , reaching #114 in 1995. Why?

[Glenpwood]

Quite easy to answer Marv, American Top 40 Pop Radio refuses to play artists over 40 consistently. The Brits have valued talent over youth which is why she remains higher profile chartwise there. She turned 40 in 1984 and aged out of the format. It happens to virtually all artists because of the prized 18-34 listener demo supposedly won't listen to the same artists their parents did. It's also why Madonna, Mariah, Cher, etc. have struggled struggled post 40.

[marv2]

There isn't a day goes passed that he doesn't talk about Diane Ross but he doesn't care. Right. LOL

I beg to differ. You will not find any threads that I started with Diana Ross as the subject [[ you may start your research....NOW! LOL!). In fact, it was you who started this one and others with Miss Ross as the subject matter ,which is fine with me. I am just going to enjoy discussing her just like everyone else.

[marv2]

Quite easy to answer Marv, American Top 40 Pop Radio refuses to play artists over 40 consistently. The Brits have valued talent over youth which is why she remains higher profile chartwise there. She turned 40 in 1984 and aged out of the format. It happens to virtually all artists because of the prized 18-34 listener demo supposedly won't listen to the same artists their parents did. It's also why Madonna, Mariah, Cher, etc. have struggled struggled post 40.

Ok, I can buy that and I do apreciate your response. Are there any other theories regarding this subject?

[marv2]

Quite easy to answer Marv, American Top 40 Pop Radio refuses to play artists over 40 consistently. The Brits have valued talent over youth which is why she remains higher profile chartwise there. She turned 40 in 1984 and aged out of the format. It happens to virtually all artists because of the prized 18-34 listener demo supposedly won't listen to the same artists their parents did. It's also why Madonna, Mariah, Cher, etc. have struggled struggled post 40.

I am sure we can point to some exceptions such as James Brown scoring big with his 1986 hit, "Living In America" at age 52 or 53.

[Glenpwood]

Note I said consistently.... James Brown disappeared from the pop chart after that hit and it needed a Rocky Soundtrack appearance to get noticed....

[marv2]

Note I said consistently.... James Brown disappeared from the pop chart after that hit and it needed a Rocky Soundtrack appearance to get noticed....

This is where we diverge. I wasn't asking why hasn't Diana Ross consistently hit the pop chart in the last 27 years. I was asking why did so many of her releases during that time frame miss the charts completely? Not one made the Top 100 singles chart in the U.S.

[motownlover1964]

I thought that a few her releases post-1984's "Missing You" were good songs and wondered why they didn't chart. I was a huge fan since 1964 but slowly lost interest as I felt that the albums weren't cohesive although the single releases were good. The last Ross album that, in my opinion, was excellent all the way through was the Take Me Higher collection of songs. I was really disappointed that it didn't become a huge hit.

[marv2]

I thought that a few her releases post-1984's "Missing You" were good songs and wondered why they didn't chart. I was a huge fan since 1964 but slowly lost interest as I felt that the albums weren't cohesive although the single releases were good. The last Ross album that, in my opinion, was excellent all the way through was the Take Me Higher collection of songs. I was really disappointed that it didn't become a huge hit.

Thank you Motownlover1964 for your response. I liked the song "Missing You" and I recall another song from around that time, "Telephone" that received pretty good airplay in Detroit on WJLB, a popular local Urban Contemporary station. Then, I heard that the song was being promoted only to R&B and Urban Contemporary stations. Could that also be the reason for lack of Pop Chart success?

[JohnnyB]

There are many theories regarding Diana's lack of chart success post-1986. Yes, Telephone, Dirty Looks and other late-RCA releases were promoted to R&B stations, limiting their exposure. IMO the Working Overtime project hurt her credibility. Add to this Call Her Miss Ross and Dreamgirl, plus her age, plus changing musical styles, plus Diana's marriage and the birth of her sons in 1987 and 1988. You have to agree that a lot happened to cause Diana's musical career to lose momentum.

BTW, Diana has released 13 US singles since 1986, not 41.

[JohnnyB]

Adding a timeline to my previous post, Diana married in 1985, the book Dreamgirls was released in 1986, then came the pregnancies. Working Overtime was released in 1989, followed by the Call Her Miss Ross book later that year. Another book followed in 1990, All That Glittered. Diana's image and appeal took a huge beating. I'm sure this didn't help her sales.

[marv2]

There are many theories regarding Diana's lack of chart success post-1986. Yes, Telephone, Dirty Looks and other late-RCA releases were promoted to R&B stations, limiting their exposure. IMO the Working Overtime project hurt her credibility. Add to this Call Her Miss Ross and Dreamgirl, plus her age, plus changing musical styles, plus Diana's marriage and the birth of her sons in 1987 and 1988. You have to agree that a lot happened to cause Diana's musical career to lose momentum.

BTW, Diana has released 13 US singles since 1986, not 41.


Johnny B. Thank you very much for your response as well. You make some very good points. I have a question. I arrived at the 41 as the total number of releases by just counting down the list on her discography. You say it was 13 that were released as U.S. singles. Does that mean that the other 28 releases were all foreign and if so, why? If you know the answer I mean.

[marv2]

Adding a timeline to my previous post, Diana married in 1985, the book Dreamgirls was released in 1986, then came the pregnancies. Working Overtime was released in 1989, followed by the Call Her Miss Ross book later that year. Another book followed in 1990, All That Glittered. Diana's image and appeal took a huge beating. I'm sure this didn't help her sales.

But she was on Oprah Winfrey and Oprah championed her as her role model. Surely that helped, didn't it?

[jobeterob]

How come so bitter? Did you want to manage her at one time? Did she say "no" to many things?

The answer to any naysayers is Central Park, Lady Sings the Blue, the Guiness Book of World Records, Soul Train Award of Merit, 8 American Music Awards, Billboards Female Artist of the Century, Mahogany, The Wiz which keeps on selling more and more and now is her most successful movie, Out of Darkness and on and on.

As I remember the Guiness Book of World Records citation began with .................."Widely regarded at the most successful female vocalist of all time..............."

And they all get old and they all retire, some gracefully and some throwing water at kids..............

Rejoice that they had careers and you could put your hand out and up in the air and say Stop!

[Roberta75]

How come so bitter? Did you want to manage her at one time? Did she say "no" to many things?

The answer to any naysayers is Central Park, Lady Sings the Blue, the Guiness Book of World Records, Soul Train Award of Merit, 8 American Music Awards, Billboards Female Artist of the Century, Mahogany, The Wiz which keeps on selling more and more and now is her most successful movie, Out of Darkness and on and on.

As I remember the Guiness Book of World Records citation began with .................."Widely regarded at the most successful female vocalist of all time..............."

And they all get old and they all retire, some gracefully and some throwing water at kids..............

Rejoice that they had careers and you could put your hand out and up in the air and say Stop!

And what has to be the icing on any performer's cake, The Kennedy Center Honor.

[marv2]

And what has to be the icing on any performer's cake, The Kennedy Center Honor.


Any award where you would have to watch the program to figure out what it is, is not a popular or well known award. It's not like the average Joe is going to know what a Kennedy Center Honor is or what it means. Now if you mentioned any of the following for example, they would know:

Super Bowl Ring/Vince Lombardi Trophy
Grammy Award
Stanley Cup
The Oscar
World Series Trophy
Nobel Prize

[marv2]

How come so bitter? Did you want to manage her at one time? Did she say "no" to many things?

The answer to any naysayers is Central Park, Lady Sings the Blue, the Guiness Book of World Records, Soul Train Award of Merit, 8 American Music Awards, Billboards Female Artist of the Century, Mahogany, The Wiz which keeps on selling more and more and now is her most successful movie, Out of Darkness and on and on.

As I remember the Guiness Book of World Records citation began with .................."Widely regarded at the most successful female vocalist of all time..............."

And they all get old and they all retire, some gracefully and some throwing water at kids..............

Rejoice that they had careers and you could put your hand out and up in the air and say Stop!


We're not talking about all that stuff. We are talking about record charts and you are the main guy that ALWAYS brings up the charts, mostly Billboard Charts or don't you remember? Any way, do you have your theory as for why it seems Diana cannot chart in the U.S. to save her life?

[JohnnyB]

Sadly, as RCA and Motown began to lose interest EMI continued promoting Diana. The Force Behind The Power CD from 1991 is a perfect example. Two singles were released in the US [[When You Tell Me That You Love Me and Waiting In The Wings). Five additional singles from the project were released worldwide.

I've put together a list of Diana's worldwide single releases post-86 from memory, but can only come up with 34. Several have never been released in the US even on LP!

[marv2]

Sadly, as RCA and Motown began to lose interest EMI continued promoting Diana. The Force Behind The Power CD from 1991 is a perfect example. Two singles were released in the US [[When You Tell Me That You Love Me and Waiting In The Wings). Five additional singles from the project were released worldwide.

I've put together a list of Diana's worldwide single releases post-86 from memory, but can only come up with 34. Several have never been released in the US even on LP!

Could it have been that they had already anticipated those singles failing miserably in the U.S. market so they decided not to even bother releasing them here?

[marv2]

Sadly, as RCA and Motown began to lose interest EMI continued promoting Diana. The Force Behind The Power CD from 1991 is a perfect example. Two singles were released in the US [[When You Tell Me That You Love Me and Waiting In The Wings). Five additional singles from the project were released worldwide.

I've put together a list of Diana's worldwide single releases post-86 from memory, but can only come up with 34. Several have never been released in the US even on LP!

I had heard that Motown did not know exactly how to market her music and I am guessing that RCA felt that they had a built in hitmaker with her which is why they did little to nothing to promote her. She had much more control there.

[jobeterob]

Yer swimmin up hill Marv..........the Kennedy Centre Honor is the equivalent of being Knighted by the Queen in England.

I just don't think that you can take that away from anyone; you try pullin that with Aretha and in her heyday, she'd have sat on you and refused to get up!

[marv2]

Yer swimmin up hill Marv..........the Kennedy Centre Honor is the equivalent of being Knighted by the Queen in England.

I just don't think that you can take that away from anyone; you try pullin that with Aretha and in her heyday, she'd have sat on you and refused to get up!

I don't think so! Anything given out by George Bush cannot be of much value LOL! Besides, in America it is "the Presidential Medal of Freedom" and "the Congressional Medal of Honor" are highest awards bestowed on American Citizens. Aretha did win the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 [[GW Bush notwithstanding.....LOL!)

So why do you feel Diana Ross has had more luck elsewhere than on the US Charts over the last several decades?

[dianesfan_1965]

Yer swimmin up hill Marv..........the Kennedy Centre Honor is the equivalent of being Knighted by the Queen in England.

I just don't think that you can take that away from anyone; you try pullin that with Aretha and in her heyday, she'd have sat on you and refused to get up!

Dare to dream, hon! Dare to dream.

[smark21]

Does anyone know how well Shantal Baker's latest single "Rub my belly [[Awwww Baby!)" is doing in the UK? It's the new song on her greatest hits album.

[marv2]

Does anyone know how well Shantal Baker's latest single "Rub my belly [[Awwww Baby!)" is doing in the UK? It's the new song on her greatest hits album.


It's got to be neck and neck with Diane's new record.

[skooldem1]

Billboard Charts
Date/Title/Peak Position


Jazz Albums

07/01/2006 Blue #2


Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

03/14/2009 Playlist your Way #100
02/03/2007 I Love You #16
07/08/2006 Blue #7
06/05/1999 Everyday is a new Day #47
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #38
05/07/1994 Diana Extended/The Remixes #68
01/01/1994 Forever Diana #88
11/02/1991 The Force behind the Power #66
07/22/1989 Workin' Overtime #34
06/27/1987 Red Hot Rhythm & Blues #39
11/30/1985 Eaten Alive #27



R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

03/23/1996 If you're not gonna love me right #67
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #77
10/19/1991 When you tell me that you love me #37
?1991 No matter what you do [[w/Al B.Sure) #4
09/30/1989 This House #64
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #3
07/04/1987 Dirty Looks #12
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #10
07/13/1985 Telephone #13
02/23/1985 Missing You #1



Billboard Top 200 Album Chart

02/03/2007 I Love You #32
07/08/2006 Blue #146
06/06/1999 Every Day is a new Day #108
01/14/1995 Take me Higher #114
09/28/1991 The Force behind the power #102
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #116
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #45


Dance/Club Play Songs

06/19/1999 Until we meet Again #2
05/04/1996 I will Survive #37
12/02/1995 Take me Higher #1
06/04/1994 Someday We'll be together/Remix #7
02/22/1992 You're gonna love it #24
04/08/1989 Love Hangover89 #3
06/24/1989 Workin' Overtime #11
09/09/1989 Paradise #11
03/01/1986 Chain Reaction Remix #7
11/09/1985 Eaten Alive #3





http://www.billboard.com/artist/diana-ross/5566#/artist/diana-ross/chart-history/5566

[skooldem1]

A couple of things to note with this list. Its apparent that Diana's reign as the Queen of Pop ended in the mid 80's. But by that time she had already left her mark on that decade, with the highest highs- chart wise of her career. Riding out that decade and moving into the 90's to the 2000's she found more success on the R&B charts and the Dance charts. Her success on the R&B chart dispells the idea that the black community/record buyers deserted Diana Ross. I'd also take a guess and say that her success on the Dance/Club chart means that a younger demographic does indeed know who she is. Looking at these charts you can easily see that even after her commercial peak, Diana Ross remained a presence on the Billboard charts.

[luke]

Doris Day just made top ten albums in UK too!

[Roberta75]

Doris Day just made top ten albums in UK too!

Why can't Doris chart in the US?

[marv2]

Billboard Charts
Date/Title/Peak Position


Jazz Albums

07/01/2006 Blue #2


Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

03/14/2009 Playlist your Way #100
02/03/2007 I Love You #16
07/08/2006 Blue #7
06/05/1999 Everyday is a new Day #47
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #38
05/07/1994 Diana Extended/The Remixes #68
01/01/1994 Forever Diana #88
11/02/1991 The Force behind the Power #66
07/22/1989 Workin' Overtime #34
06/27/1987 Red Hot Rhythm & Blues #39
11/30/1985 Eaten Alive #27



R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

03/23/1996 If you're not gonna love me right #67
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #77
10/19/1991 When you tell me that you love me #37
?1991 No matter what you do [[w/Al B.Sure) #4
09/30/1989 This House #64
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #3
07/04/1987 Dirty Looks #12
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #10
07/13/1985 Telephone #13
02/23/1985 Missing You #1



Billboard Top 200 Album Chart

02/03/2007 I Love You #32
07/08/2006 Blue #146
06/06/1999 Every Day is a new Day #108
01/14/1995 Take me Higher #114
09/28/1991 The Force behind the power #102
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #116
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #45


Dance/Club Play Songs

06/19/1999 Until we meet Again #2
05/04/1996 I will Survive #37
12/02/1995 Take me Higher #1
06/04/1994 Someday We'll be together/Remix #7
02/22/1992 You're gonna love it #24
04/08/1989 Love Hangover89 #3
06/24/1989 Workin' Overtime #11
09/09/1989 Paradise #11
03/01/1986 Chain Reaction Remix #7
11/09/1985 Eaten Alive #3





http://www.billboard.com/artist/diana-ross/5566#/artist/diana-ross/chart-history/5566

Nice! Now where are the Pop Charts?

[marv2]

A couple of things to note with this list. Its apparent that Diana's reign as the Queen of Pop ended in the mid 80's. But by that time she had already left her mark on that decade, with the highest highs- chart wise of her career. Riding out that decade and moving into the 90's to the 2000's she found more success on the R&B charts and the Dance charts. Her success on the R&B chart dispells the idea that the black community/record buyers deserted Diana Ross. I'd also take a guess and say that her success on the Dance/Club chart means that a younger demographic does indeed know who she is. Looking at these charts you can easily see that even after her commercial peak, Diana Ross remained a presence on the Billboard charts.

Diana Ross had her first Solo #1 Hit in 1970 and her last one in 1980. "Diana Ross 1970-80" would make a great title for a greatest hits collection in my opinion.

[marv2]

Why can't Doris chart in the US?

Maybe she's been hanging around diana ross too much?

[luke]

LOLOL. It is often said the British charts are VERY eccentric!

[marv2]

LOLOL. It is often said the British charts are VERY eccentric!

I heard, now I did not say this, but "having a hit in the U.K, is like having a hit in New Jersey!" hehehehehehe !

[jobeterob]

Is it a tough pill to swallow guys?

Now, one two three.......with some water, you can do it.........cuz it's there no matter what; now you can do it for mama

[Jimi LaLumia]

don't drag me into this, with an out of context quote....
I like you,marv2, is this a road that you really want to travel?

[marv2]

don't drag me into this, with an out of context quote....
I like you,marv2, is this a road that you really want to travel?


Wait a minute. Jimi, are you one that said having a hit in the UK is like having a hit in NJ?

[Jimi LaLumia]

in proportion to number of copies sold vs. the size of the respective population..

[marv2]

in proportion to number of copies sold vs. the size of the respective population..

Yes, it makes sense. There were regional hits in the U.S. that never made it nationally but sold more than in some foreign markets.

[ejluther]

As others have pointed out, this doesn't just happen to Diana Ross in the US - the number of established and undeniably successful artists that continue to have new hits after the age of 40 or so is a very small list indeed. And AOR [[adult orientated radio) stations that seem ideal for these artists are very resistant to new material from them - it seems they think that audiences only want to hear the old hits. And maybe they're right. Artists become "frozen" in the public's mind and that's where they stay - forever doing their greatest hits. Why does the public freeze them? I think that as many people age they simply stop buying as much new music so, for them, that's where the artist remains - in the past. And it's very difficult for any artist of a certain age to get young people interested in them. Not to mention that music sales as a whole have taken a huge downturn due to digital piracy and internet "sharing". And then there are catalog sales to consider - an artist doesn't have to have a new album out to sell music. Still, I think it's good for established artists to keep releasing new music even if it doesn't sell huge amounts - having huge hits is great but much of my personal favorite music has never been close to a hit single/album chart in its life.

PS: Having said all that, it's undeniably true that Diana's public image took a major hit during this time [[The DREAMGIRL book and Motown 25 to name two obvious examples) and people may have stopped buying her music simply because they stopped liking her as a person. And, without the Motown machine behind her, the attention to her career itself clearly faltered - without a champion like Berry Gordy behind you, anyone is going to have a tougher time of it.

I was also thinking of Rod Stewart and the irony/lesson that his late-career resurgance is due to singing old songs, too - not his own old songs - but old songs nonetheless.

[smark21]

Doris Day just made top ten albums in UK too!

With an album of newly released material...not a greatest hits set. And she did an interview with Paul McCartney to promote it. It hasn't been released in the US, I don't believe.

[smark21]

This whole thread certainly verifies a belief I have about some Diana Ross and Supremes fans. A good deal of their fandom is based on sales, chart position and popularity [[at least at one time in the past or another) of the act[[s) rather than it being mostly about the work. I think part of Ross and Supremes promotion has been about rags to riches, project to the penthouse, which some fans, who are social outcasts in their own lives, at least when they were young [[and the pain probably still hurts) deeply identified with that narrative and as a result, may put too much of an emotional investment on superficial, fleeting matters such as sales and chart position, rather than the songs. True, the success of the songs and albums at the time of release built a fanbase that endures and ensures that product is reissued, but at this point, there's just something sad about fighting over chart position, or lack thereof, in 2011. Perhaps I'm too sympathetic to the indie mindset which views sales success as evidence of selling out and lack of integrity and that's it preferable to be on the margins rather than socially acceptable?

[marv2]

As others have pointed out, this doesn't just happen to Diana Ross in the US - the number of established and undeniably successful artists that continue to have new hits after the age of 40 or so is a very small list indeed. And AOR [[adult orientated radio) stations that seem ideal for these artists are very resistant to new material from them - it seems they think that audiences only want to hear the old hits. And maybe they're right. Artists become "frozen" in the public's mind and that's where they stay - forever doing their greatest hits. Why does the public freeze them? I think that as many people age they simply stop buying as much new music so, for them, that's where the artist remains - in the past. And it's very difficult for any artist of a certain age to get young people interested in them. Not to mention that music sales as a whole have taken a huge downturn due to digital piracy and internet "sharing". And then there are catalog sales to consider - an artist doesn't have to have a new album out to sell music. Still, I think it's good for established artists to keep releasing new music even if it doesn't sell huge amounts - having huge hits is great but much of my personal favorite music has never been close to a hit single/album chart in its life.

PS: Having said all that, it's undeniably true that Diana's public image took a major hit during this time [[The DREAMGIRL book and Motown 25 to name two obvious examples) and people may have stopped buying her music simply because they stopped liking her as a person. And, without the Motown machine behind her, the attention to her career itself clearly faltered - without a champion like Berry Gordy behind you, anyone is going to have a tougher time of it.

I was also thinking of Rod Stewart and the irony/lesson that his late-career resurgance is due to singing old songs, too - not his own old songs - but old songs nonetheless.


Great post! I think you covered all the bases without getting all emotional about the subject. I understand and agree with all that you said here. Thank you Ejluther!

[marv2]

This whole thread certainly verifies a belief I have about some Diana Ross and Supremes fans. A good deal of their fandom is based on sales, chart position and popularity [[at least at one time in the past or another) of the act[[s) rather than it being mostly about the work. I think part of Ross and Supremes promotion has been about rags to riches, project to the penthouse, which some fans, who are social outcasts in their own lives, at least when they were young [[and the pain probably still hurts) deeply identified with that narrative and as a result, may put too much of an emotional investment on superficial, fleeting matters such as sales and chart position, rather than the songs. True, the success of the songs and albums at the time of release built a fanbase that endures and ensures that product is reissued, but at this point, there's just something sad about fighting over chart position, or lack thereof, in 2011. Perhaps I'm too sympathetic to the indie mindset which views sales success as evidence of selling out and lack of integrity and that's it preferable to be on the margins rather than socially acceptable?

Another great post! After reading this and other forums for years now, your theory sounds very plausible. Certain people suffer from what I call the " Nah, Nah, Nah" syndrome! The do put more emphasis on chart positions, volume sold etc ,etc when it comes to music which is "art" in my opinion! Whether some individuals were social outcasts or not, I am not sure, but they do invest a lot of emotional capital in certain artists ,while devaluing other artists that did not "score" as many number one hits! That says nothing about the art itself, but speaks volumes about their own psyche. I have always bought music that I liked and sounded good to me personally. I have never bought an album or single because it had sold a lot and went high on the charts!

[skooldem1]

This whole thread certainly verifies a belief I have about some Diana Ross and Supremes fans. A good deal of their fandom is based on sales, chart position and popularity [[at least at one time in the past or another) of the act[[s) rather than it being mostly about the work. I think part of Ross and Supremes promotion has been about rags to riches, project to the penthouse, which some fans, who are social outcasts in their own lives, at least when they were young [[and the pain probably still hurts) deeply identified with that narrative and as a result, may put too much of an emotional investment on superficial, fleeting matters such as sales and chart position, rather than the songs. True, the success of the songs and albums at the time of release built a fanbase that endures and ensures that product is reissued, but at this point, there's just something sad about fighting over chart position, or lack thereof, in 2011. Perhaps I'm too sympathetic to the indie mindset which views sales success as evidence of selling out and lack of integrity and that's it preferable to be on the margins rather than socially acceptable?


You have been on this rant for a while now. Your obsession with these type of people is just as crazy. These are music/artist fans. Discussing charts and stats is a normal thing on a music site [[you would think). You seemed to be convinced that anyone who sites stats in support of certain musical arguments somehow is not fully developed mentally. Its a pattern I have noticed over the years by many who are fans of acts who may have not been as successful. Its makes them feel better to minimize commercial success, yet if it were their favorite act, they would be shouting stats from the roof tops and don't try and act like they wouldn't. Would it be a fair comparison to say that anyone who likes "indie" music is a loser and a outcast? Would it be a fair comparison to say that anyone who likes an artist who is "unsung" or never had a commercially successful solo career is a loser as well?

In this instance, I for the first time that I can think of, compiled a list solely for the purpose of countering the absurd notion that Diana Ross has been absent and can't chart on Billboard to save her life, so it was necessary to post proof that this is wrong.

A music fan is no worse than a sport fan. When watchin football on Sundays, all you hear are stats from the broadcasters. The fans watching together in their living rooms/man caves brag about the championship and superbowl wins, and player stats. This is no different.

This is a hobby to some. Some have a favorite team, some have a favorite entertainer. Its all good. What's not good is someone that always being judgemental, and always has some snarky ass comments to make about what other people enjoy. That says way more about you than anyone who enjoys stats.

[Jimi LaLumia]

I became a Supremes fan the first time I heard "Where Did Our love Go' on the radio in the car when I was 12, it had to do with
The Motown Sound" and the way the vocals cut through the AM static, I think looked forward to each subsequent release, one more exciting than the other, there was no 'rags to riches' involved...
some people have way too much free time on their hands

[jobeterob]

There are two issues; one is "liking the music", "enjoying the sound".........and when Motown first started, it had few or no chart positions; it had to attract it's audience based on it's sound and artists; and eventually, half of it's releases were making the national trade publications charts. Without a popular base, the artists would have to go get day jobs and wouldn't be widely known.

Skooldem is right; chart stats are like hockey and football stats; they are just fun and a measure of success. And to me, it is awesome that Motown and the Beatles and Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, the Supremes and Diana Ross have so many chart statistics to quote.

However, chart positions don't mean you'll like the artist or the music. Justin Beiber and Taylor Swift and Rhianna are taking over some of the top chart positions enjoyed by Aretha, Diana, the Beatles etc. and Taylor and Justin won't be the favorites of the SD crowd. On the other hand, the young crowd has little interest in Motown beyond calling it old and assuming it means all R & B/Soul Music.

It is somewhat naive to think you would have the debates about issues amongst Supremes, Beatles and Temptations had those groups and their lead singers, Paul McCartney and Diana Ross not been amongst the most commercially successful artists of all time; nor would those people be touring to sold out performances as they near the age of 70 when no one remains at their peak vocal ability.

[Jimi LaLumia]

Supremes, Beatles, Temptations were all groups, more than one person, which always leads to drama, gossip, conflict,something that EVERYONE pays attention to, including those who say otherwise,and while the music is always the most important element, an interest in drama dates back to ancient Greece;
it's part of the human condition, if there isn't drama then we'll make some...
the current era of solo ,single superstars can't nearly be as much fun as the era of groups was, for this very reason

[marv2]

Supremes, Beatles, Temptations were all groups, more than one person, which always leads to drama, gossip, conflict,something that EVERYONE pays attention to, including those who say otherwise,and while the music is always the most important element, an interest in drama dates back to ancient Greece;
it's part of the human condition, if there isn't drama then we'll make some...
the current era of solo ,single superstars can't nearly be as much fun as the era of groups was, for this very reason


True dat! So true. Not much can be added to what you just said.

[smark21]

You have been on this rant for a while now. Your obsession with these type of people is just as crazy. These are music/artist fans. Discussing charts and stats is a normal thing on a music site [[you would think). You seemed to be convinced that anyone who sites stats in support of certain musical arguments somehow is not fully developed mentally. Its a pattern I have noticed over the years by many who are fans of acts who may have not been as successful. Its makes them feel better to minimize commercial success, yet if it were their favorite act, they would be shouting stats from the roof tops and don't try and act like they wouldn't. Would it be a fair comparison to say that anyone who likes "indie" music is a loser and a outcast? Would it be a fair comparison to say that anyone who likes an artist who is "unsung" or never had a commercially successful solo career is a loser as well?

In this instance, I for the first time that I can think of, compiled a list solely for the purpose of countering the absurd notion that Diana Ross has been absent and can't chart on Billboard to save her life, so it was necessary to post proof that this is wrong.

A music fan is no worse than a sport fan. When watchin football on Sundays, all you hear are stats from the broadcasters. The fans watching together in their living rooms/man caves brag about the championship and superbowl wins, and player stats. This is no different.

This is a hobby to some. Some have a favorite team, some have a favorite entertainer. Its all good. What's not good is someone that always being judgemental, and always has some snarky ass comments to make about what other people enjoy. That says way more about you than anyone who enjoys stats.

Well my username is Smark, so I have to be snarky and judgemental. Everyone is judgemental to one degree or another.

When I was younger, I was more into charts and felt very happy when an act I really liked scored well. But I've grown up. I don't have the need to feel validated in such a way. It's nice if an act I like does well, but it's not that important to me any longer. Marv was baiting Diana Ross fans to respond with chart info and you took the bait, big time. I think a more mature response would have been, "sure, she's not riding high on the charts like she did in the 70's, but she's come out some quality work in the last 20 years like the Take Me Higher album and her concert performances, especially when she does "Don't Explain"". If you had taken that tack, you might have changed the subject and come across as a fan who is not fixated on the charts.

In the More Hits are Here thread, BayouGuy [[I don't have the username down pat) mentioned that he's still "bitter" that Nothing But Heartaches didn't go #1 46 years ago. How can a grown man still be bitter about how a song charted in 1965? It's not as if the song was permanently vaulted and all 45's sold were recalled and destroyed and no one can hear it any longer. If you enjoy Nothing But Heartaches, enjoy it. It's a fun song, who cares how it charted or sold in 1965? And even more perverse are those who get off when an artist they don't like doesn't do well on the charts, by their standards, or becomes insecure when they do well, or more significantly, receive good reviews for their live show. I can't even begin to fathom such a mindset.

Discussing charts can be interesting and fun, but when it becomes the be-all and end all of a fan's discussion about their favorite artist, then it sends up a warning flag for me at least. A couple of years ago a friend and I were discussing Diana Ross fans and he made the observation, which has stuck with me and I've admittedly worked to death here, that die hard, hard core Diana Ross fans one finds on the internet tend to be people who come across as social outcasts and misfits. They loved Diana Ross because she was skinny, unconventional looking and did not have a big soul voice and thus was thought untalented or unworthy of success by some of her peers at Motown. But she worked her ass off and triumphed over the odds. My friend thinks these feel validated and live vacariously through her success as they too have been dismissed for who and what they are. That is why they can get very defensive and go on the attack when anyone criticizes her because they identify with her so closely. Hence when they make their arguments defending Diana Ross, they reach for the most concrete evidence out there: sales statistics and chart position. It struck a chord with me. And to be fair. die hard fans of other popular acts who appeal to marginalizes individuals also tend to put a big emphasis on sales and chart position. In contrast, I used to belong to a Frank Sinatra on line discussion group. Most of the members were older straight white males--and guess what, they rarely talked about Sinatra's sales and chart success. Because straight white males are privilged in US society, these Sinatra fans didn't need to turn to sales and chart positions to feel validated. Instead, they got their validation in the music in the stories and attitude Sinatra brought to the songs.

So Diana Ross' greatest hits debuting at #24 in the UK is nice, but that's all it is. Hopefully that means more re-issues of her classic Motown albums and vaulted material. But chart position and sales reveal nothing of whether a musician is good or not, all it means is they debut at #24. Anyway I'm starting to invade JuiceFree's turf for long posts, so I'm wrapping this up.

[jobeterob]

Interesting viewpoint and you make some good points.

High chart positions tend to indicate a CD is selling, especially since the 1990's; it's a bit of a brownie point to sell a few CDS when you are 70 years old; so I think it means a little bit more than you reached #24.

I enjoyed reading your analysis. It's hard to disagree with one general point you make.........there are some fucked up Supremes fans of all genres around. Right Ralph? Bet ya he's not lookin in on this one either.

[Bokiluis]

"Love and Life" was also certified gold and platinum in the U.K. So the chart number is not always the full picture of how well this has done.

[Bokiluis]

No, closer to the truth was by 1991, Motown Records was a shell of itself. "The Force Behind the Power" was a pop record with soul shadings. As far as promotion goes, the last strain of influence that Motown had was reserved for Urban radio. "When You Tell Me You Love Me" would never have done that well at urban/black radio even if the album was selling like hot cakes. The next thing they come with some rather underwhelming mixes on "You're Gonna Love It" that were not even strong enough to make significant impact on the club chart. Quite simply put, "The Force Behind the Power" was waaaaaaay above Motown's capabilities of marketing. EMI, on the other hand, was not very skillful at marketing R&B music, but, they did know how to market at pop radio.

Legend has it when Diana played "The Force Behind the Power" for the EMI UK brass and staff, they got it right away. They customized a brilliant marketing campaign utilizing Diana's unique opportunity to do the entire 2nd half of the Royal Variety Performance for 1991. At the record retail chains, they created a special singles box for the CD single of "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" that marketed her forthcoming appearance on the Royal Variety show. Diana also did television promo ahead of the airing appearing on Des O'Connor, etc. She also had two sold out nights at Wembley Nov. 1990 before the full release. EMI wisely did a limited release of the album to capitalize on her Wembley appearances. "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" hit the top of the charts that Christmas 1991.

She then returned in the Summer of 1992, for the full "Here and Now" tour dates. She had an additional 4 sold out nights that time. That would be 6 Wembley appearances in 6 months. That spring, EMI released the title track which hit the Top 20. By summer in time for the full tour, "One Shining Moment" would sail into the Top 10. I happened to be in the EMI UK offices when it came on BBC Radio One. It seemed almost everyone in the EMI offices had the radio turned on! They were clearly excited that they had another hit.
I saw her at Wembley that June. At the opening chords of "Change of Heart", the audience cheered. They had already known it from its limited release that previous Nov/Dec. She also did a television special in Japan at the NK studios. On one of the UK television programs she was on, they presented her with a Gold album for "The Force Behind the Power" from EMI Japan. They had aired "Christmas in Vienna" in the UK that holiday and they released "If We Hold on Together". Behind that special airing, the single just missed the Top 10 and the album was certified Double Platinum.

She also had another concert special in Australia in Perth. "When You Tell Me" was a hit there and so was the album.

In the states, they released a brilliant remix of "Waiting in the Wings", only for it to linger pointlessly. The remix should have been ideal for Urban Adult radio and the Quiet Storm stations. I don't even think they were serviced with promo copies. Meanwhile, the "Here and Now" tour dates in the states did very well despite the fact that the album was not in the stores. BET had gave ample play to both videos "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" and "The Force Behind the Power". That visibility probably helped her sell out two nights at Chastain Park in strong urban markets like Atlanta.

EMI International would release "Heart [[Don't Change My Mind) and had one last Top 40 hit as the album closed in on 3.2 million album sales worldwide primarily from Europe, Japan and Australia. It sold like 150k in the states. Had she had that album to sell while she was touring in the states, she was getting standing ovations for songs the audience was unfamiliar with......she would have sold a lot of albums at the concession stands from the tour>

[drlorne]

Great information, Thanks,
Lorne

[jobeterob]

Bokilius has some great info. Thanks.

[Jimi LaLumia]

interesting...in hindsight,she should have sought out Clive Davis instead of returning to MOTOWN..
Davis, of Barry Manilow/Rod Stewart fame, would have pushed all the right buttons, a different version
of Berry Gordy..

[jobeterob]

It fell to 43 in the second week; Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest Hits fell too; pretty common.

[wichmanne]

The Greatest album falls to 43 on the UK Album chart this week.

You may also like to know that the album is Diana's 58th album to chart in the UK.

Only four artists have more charted albums in the UK.

[marv2]

No, closer to the truth was by 1991, Motown Records was a shell of itself. "The Force Behind the Power" was a pop record with soul shadings. As far as promotion goes, the last strain of influence that Motown had was reserved for Urban radio. "When You Tell Me You Love Me" would never have done that well at urban/black radio even if the album was selling like hot cakes. The next thing they come with some rather underwhelming mixes on "You're Gonna Love It" that were not even strong enough to make significant impact on the club chart. Quite simply put, "The Force Behind the Power" was waaaaaaay above Motown's capabilities of marketing. EMI, on the other hand, was not very skillful at marketing R&B music, but, they did know how to market at pop radio.

Legend has it when Diana played "The Force Behind the Power" for the EMI UK brass and staff, they got it right away. They customized a brilliant marketing campaign utilizing Diana's unique opportunity to do the entire 2nd half of the Royal Variety Performance for 1991. At the record retail chains, they created a special singles box for the CD single of "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" that marketed her forthcoming appearance on the Royal Variety show. Diana also did television promo ahead of the airing appearing on Des O'Connor, etc. She also had two sold out nights at Wembley Nov. 1990 before the full release. EMI wisely did a limited release of the album to capitalize on her Wembley appearances. "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" hit the top of the charts that Christmas 1991.

She then returned in the Summer of 1992, for the full "Here and Now" tour dates. She had an additional 4 sold out nights that time. That would be 6 Wembley appearances in 6 months. That spring, EMI released the title track which hit the Top 20. By summer in time for the full tour, "One Shining Moment" would sail into the Top 10. I happened to be in the EMI UK offices when it came on BBC Radio One. It seemed almost everyone in the EMI offices had the radio turned on! They were clearly excited that they had another hit.
I saw her at Wembley that June. At the opening chords of "Change of Heart", the audience cheered. They had already known it from its limited release that previous Nov/Dec. She also did a television special in Japan at the NK studios. On one of the UK television programs she was on, they presented her with a Gold album for "The Force Behind the Power" from EMI Japan. They had aired "Christmas in Vienna" in the UK that holiday and they released "If We Hold on Together". Behind that special airing, the single just missed the Top 10 and the album was certified Double Platinum.

She also had another concert special in Australia in Perth. "When You Tell Me" was a hit there and so was the album.

In the states, they released a brilliant remix of "Waiting in the Wings", only for it to linger pointlessly. The remix should have been ideal for Urban Adult radio and the Quiet Storm stations. I don't even think they were serviced with promo copies. Meanwhile, the "Here and Now" tour dates in the states did very well despite the fact that the album was not in the stores. BET had gave ample play to both videos "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" and "The Force Behind the Power". That visibility probably helped her sell out two nights at Chastain Park in strong urban markets like Atlanta.

EMI International would release "Heart [[Don't Change My Mind) and had one last Top 40 hit as the album closed in on 3.2 million album sales worldwide primarily from Europe, Japan and Australia. It sold like 150k in the states. Had she had that album to sell while she was touring in the states, she was getting standing ovations for songs the audience was unfamiliar with......she would have sold a lot of albums at the concession stands from the tour>



Reading this it's like we were living in two different Worlds, on two different planets. I have a friend, Toni that was working for Motown at that time in a regional sales & marketing capacity. I remember one day I ran into her when she was in town. She always gave us samples , promos of the latest upcoming releases for Motown. I remember her asking me to take the lastest Diana Ross CD "Force" listen to it and tell her what I thought. Also she wanted opinons on the cover artwork. I told her I would do that if she also gave me the newest BoyIIMen, Latifah's "U.N.I.T.Y" and a few other current acts at that time. I can remember making the comment that it did not look like Diana Ross on the cover. Other than that, Ross made an appearance on the "Arsenio Hall Show" , which one the most popular television programs in America at that time to promote her new CD. I do not know when it formally released because I never heard anything from it on radio at the time, so it sort of just came and went without anyone being the wiser. I should say most people knowing about it or hearing it. She may have even toured the U.S. with it, but it just didn't get any play on radio.

[marv2]

interesting...in hindsight,she should have sought out Clive Davis instead of returning to MOTOWN..
Davis, of Barry Manilow/Rod Stewart fame, would have pushed all the right buttons, a different version
of Berry Gordy..


I believe Clive Davis and Arista Records had Aretha and Dionne on their roster at the time and shortly thereafter, this little unknown girl singer out of Newark, NJ by the name of Whitney Houston.

[luke]

And many artists comment on how loyal fans from some other countries are-in the USA we are much more -on to the next thing. But I also think the US fans are often sharp. Some of Diana's stuff seemed so calculated-Workin Overtime-ridiculous for a singer like her, Force behind Power-intangible..what does that mean?? I Love You-MOR boredom. She needed over the top, hooky material and an in charge producer Plus I think her private personna caught up with her public personna.

[selinasian]

Well, I just think it's nice that she has charted, no matter how high or for how long, with this release.

[florence]

No, closer to the truth was by 1991, Motown Records was a shell of itself. "The Force Behind the Power" was a pop record with soul shadings. As far as promotion goes, the last strain of influence that Motown had was reserved for Urban radio. "When You Tell Me You Love Me" would never have done that well at urban/black radio even if the album was selling like hot cakes. The next thing they come with some rather underwhelming mixes on "You're Gonna Love It" that were not even strong enough to make significant impact on the club chart. Quite simply put, "The Force Behind the Power" was waaaaaaay above Motown's capabilities of marketing. EMI, on the other hand, was not very skillful at marketing R&B music, but, they did know how to market at pop radio.

Legend has it when Diana played "The Force Behind the Power" for the EMI UK brass and staff, they got it right away. They customized a brilliant marketing campaign utilizing Diana's unique opportunity to do the entire 2nd half of the Royal Variety Performance for 1991. At the record retail chains, they created a special singles box for the CD single of "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" that marketed her forthcoming appearance on the Royal Variety show. Diana also did television promo ahead of the airing appearing on Des O'Connor, etc. She also had two sold out nights at Wembley Nov. 1990 before the full release. EMI wisely did a limited release of the album to capitalize on her Wembley appearances. "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" hit the top of the charts that Christmas 1991.

She then returned in the Summer of 1992, for the full "Here and Now" tour dates. She had an additional 4 sold out nights that time. That would be 6 Wembley appearances in 6 months. That spring, EMI released the title track which hit the Top 20. By summer in time for the full tour, "One Shining Moment" would sail into the Top 10. I happened to be in the EMI UK offices when it came on BBC Radio One. It seemed almost everyone in the EMI offices had the radio turned on! They were clearly excited that they had another hit.
I saw her at Wembley that June. At the opening chords of "Change of Heart", the audience cheered. They had already known it from its limited release that previous Nov/Dec. She also did a television special in Japan at the NK studios. On one of the UK television programs she was on, they presented her with a Gold album for "The Force Behind the Power" from EMI Japan. They had aired "Christmas in Vienna" in the UK that holiday and they released "If We Hold on Together". Behind that special airing, the single just missed the Top 10 and the album was certified Double Platinum.

She also had another concert special in Australia in Perth. "When You Tell Me" was a hit there and so was the album.

In the states, they released a brilliant remix of "Waiting in the Wings", only for it to linger pointlessly. The remix should have been ideal for Urban Adult radio and the Quiet Storm stations. I don't even think they were serviced with promo copies. Meanwhile, the "Here and Now" tour dates in the states did very well despite the fact that the album was not in the stores. BET had gave ample play to both videos "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" and "The Force Behind the Power". That visibility probably helped her sell out two nights at Chastain Park in strong urban markets like Atlanta.

EMI International would release "Heart [[Don't Change My Mind) and had one last Top 40 hit as the album closed in on 3.2 million album sales worldwide primarily from Europe, Japan and Australia. It sold like 150k in the states. Had she had that album to sell while she was touring in the states, she was getting standing ovations for songs the audience was unfamiliar with......she would have sold a lot of albums at the concession stands from the tour>


I can actually remember that special singles box of When You Tell Me.... sitting on the counter of my local record shop. A brilliant campaign indeed by EMI in the UK. It was really only the special circumstances of the death of Freddy Mercury which stopped Diana from going the extra 1 place to #1.

One Shining Moment was one of those many good LP tacks which, especially in the 70s, could be pulled from a Diana album and sail into the top 40.

It was great that the track continued to give Diana a high profile by making the top 10, however in some ways that was a disappointment given that she was touring and performed the record on Top of the Pops. It sold less than 90k though.

The Force Behind The Power was a good seller over both 1991 and 1992 in the UK finishing as the 51st best selling album both years - it also sold reasonably in 1993 giving total sales over 500k. It may very well have eventually sold 600k however there is no record of it ever being certified double platinum. [[300k is the level for a platinum album in the UK).

[tomato tom]

Cant we just enjoy the music she has given us, for Gods sake?.....Paulo xxx

[Hotspurman]

I have noticed a lot of negativity towards Diana ob this thread, but no one seems to have mentioned the one thing for which she is most guilty. As an England fan, I suffered the agonies of 1990, 1996, 1998 and 2006, and as a Tottenham Hotspur fan I’ve seen us lose a few as well, but I have to tell you Diana took the worst penalty I’ve ever seen in my life. Not only was it not on target, an unforgiveable sin from twelve yards, but it almost ruined the opening ceremony for the 1994 World Cup. Harry Redknapp’s wife Sandra would have scored [[maybe not Darren Bent), but Diana’s effort was just pathetic!

[jobeterob]

LOL.........but she did blow the goal apart!

The negativity is just a couple guys who only have an online life and no other; she booted one from a concert, the story goes...........a la Tim McGraw, Bette Midler. It's not worth paying a lot of attention to but can be entertaining.

[smark21]

Cant we just enjoy the music she has given us, for Gods sake?.....Paulo xxx

That's what I've posted before but some fans either get caught up in the drama and the controversery, or they're too much into sales and chart position.

[Constantin]

Here in America, she, Diana Ross has only had one single to chart in the last 27 years and that being "Take Me Higher" which got all the way up to #114 back in 1995.

"Take me higher" was a hit in disco's [[#1 in the US) and if I remember well a song from her 1999 cd was #2 in the dance charts [["Until we meet again").

[marv2]

"Take me higher" was a hit in disco's [[#1 in the US) and if I remember well a song from her 1999 cd was #2 in the dance charts [["Until we meet again").

I live in the U.S., in New York. Where do you live where they still have Disco's? We no longer had them here by 1995. Also, the Dance Charts, although nice, mean very little to anyone.

I stand by what I posted.

[Constantin]

I live in the U.S., in New York. Where do you live where they still have Disco's? We no longer had them here by 1995. Also, the Dance Charts, although nice, mean very little to anyone.

I stand by what I posted.

Club, disco, buh... the same.

[captainjames]

You are correct it went to # 1 Hot Club Dance Play.


"Take me higher" was a hit in disco's [[#1 in the US) and if I remember well a song from her 1999 cd was #2 in the dance charts [["Until we meet again").

[skooldem1]

Just to reiterate, Diana Ross has not been absent from the Billboard charts in the last 20 years. These are the facts.


Billboard Charts
Date/Title/Peak Position


Jazz Albums

07/01/2006 Blue #2


Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

03/14/2009 Playlist your Way #100
02/03/2007 I Love You #16
07/08/2006 Blue #7
06/05/1999 Everyday is a new Day #47
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #38
05/07/1994 Diana Extended/The Remixes #68
01/01/1994 Forever Diana #88
11/02/1991 The Force behind the Power #66
07/22/1989 Workin' Overtime #34
06/27/1987 Red Hot Rhythm & Blues #39
11/30/1985 Eaten Alive #27



R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

03/23/1996 If you're not gonna love me right #67
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #77
10/19/1991 When you tell me that you love me #37
?1991 No matter what you do [[w/Al B.Sure) #4
09/30/1989 This House #64
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #3
07/04/1987 Dirty Looks #12
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #10
07/13/1985 Telephone #13
02/23/1985 Missing You #1



Billboard Top 200 Album Chart

02/03/2007 I Love You #32
07/08/2006 Blue #146
06/06/1999 Every Day is a new Day #108
01/14/1995 Take me Higher #114
09/28/1991 The Force behind the power #102
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #116
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #45


Dance/Club Play Songs

06/19/1999 Until we meet Again #2
05/04/1996 I will Survive #37
12/02/1995 Take me Higher #1
06/04/1994 Someday We'll be together/Remix #7
02/22/1992 You're gonna love it #24
04/08/1989 Love Hangover89 #3
06/24/1989 Workin' Overtime #11
09/09/1989 Paradise #11
03/01/1986 Chain Reaction Remix #7
11/09/1985 Eaten Alive #3





http://www.billboard.com/artist/dian...t-history/5566

[marv2]

Club, disco, buh... the same.

Are you trying to say that Diana Ross was a "Dance Music Artist"?

A 50 year old plus Dance Music Artist = "Novelty Act"! LOL!

There were no hits in the United States after 1984.

[marv2]

Just to reiterate, Diana Ross has not been absent from the Billboard charts in the last 20 years. These are the facts.


Billboard Charts
Date/Title/Peak Position


Jazz Albums

07/01/2006 Blue #2


Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

03/14/2009 Playlist your Way #100
02/03/2007 I Love You #16
07/08/2006 Blue #7
06/05/1999 Everyday is a new Day #47
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #38
05/07/1994 Diana Extended/The Remixes #68
01/01/1994 Forever Diana #88
11/02/1991 The Force behind the Power #66
07/22/1989 Workin' Overtime #34
06/27/1987 Red Hot Rhythm & Blues #39
11/30/1985 Eaten Alive #27



R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

03/23/1996 If you're not gonna love me right #67
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #77
10/19/1991 When you tell me that you love me #37
?1991 No matter what you do [[w/Al B.Sure) #4
09/30/1989 This House #64
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #3
07/04/1987 Dirty Looks #12
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #10
07/13/1985 Telephone #13
02/23/1985 Missing You #1



Billboard Top 200 Album Chart

02/03/2007 I Love You #32
07/08/2006 Blue #146
06/06/1999 Every Day is a new Day #108
01/14/1995 Take me Higher #114
09/28/1991 The Force behind the power #102
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #116
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #45


Dance/Club Play Songs

06/19/1999 Until we meet Again #2
05/04/1996 I will Survive #37
12/02/1995 Take me Higher #1
06/04/1994 Someday We'll be together/Remix #7
02/22/1992 You're gonna love it #24
04/08/1989 Love Hangover89 #3
06/24/1989 Workin' Overtime #11
09/09/1989 Paradise #11
03/01/1986 Chain Reaction Remix #7
11/09/1985 Eaten Alive #3





http://www.billboard.com/artist/dian...t-history/5566


Yeah? Where are the Pop Charts?

[captainjames]

Diana has been one of the very few original Motown performers that remain visible on the charts, radio and concerts. It is amazing how her longevity continues to reach from generation to generation.

[marv2]

Diana has been one of the very few original Motown performers that remain visible on the charts, radio and concerts. It is amazing how her longevity continues to reach from generation to generation.

Whatever..........hehehehehehehe!

[skooldem1]

The years of Diana charting on the "Pop" chart is over. None of her records appear on the top 40 stations, so to continually go on and on about the one chart you know she won't chart on to bolster an arugment is silly. Her last CD charted on the top 200 album charts, in the top 40- that was a great achievement and one that many of her contemporaries would give anything for.

Just a reminder- just the facts:


Billboard Charts
Date/Title/Peak Position


Jazz Albums

07/01/2006 Blue #2


Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

03/14/2009 Playlist your Way #100
02/03/2007 I Love You #16
07/08/2006 Blue #7
06/05/1999 Everyday is a new Day #47
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #38
05/07/1994 Diana Extended/The Remixes #68
01/01/1994 Forever Diana #88
11/02/1991 The Force behind the Power #66
07/22/1989 Workin' Overtime #34
06/27/1987 Red Hot Rhythm & Blues #39
11/30/1985 Eaten Alive #27



R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

03/23/1996 If you're not gonna love me right #67
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #77
10/19/1991 When you tell me that you love me #37
?1991 No matter what you do [[w/Al B.Sure) #4
09/30/1989 This House #64
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #3
07/04/1987 Dirty Looks #12
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #10
07/13/1985 Telephone #13
02/23/1985 Missing You #1



Billboard Top 200 Album Chart

02/03/2007 I Love You #32
07/08/2006 Blue #146
06/06/1999 Every Day is a new Day #108
01/14/1995 Take me Higher #114
09/28/1991 The Force behind the power #102
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #116
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #45


Dance/Club Play Songs

06/19/1999 Until we meet Again #2
05/04/1996 I will Survive #37
12/02/1995 Take me Higher #1
06/04/1994 Someday We'll be together/Remix #7
02/22/1992 You're gonna love it #24
04/08/1989 Love Hangover89 #3
06/24/1989 Workin' Overtime #11
09/09/1989 Paradise #11
03/01/1986 Chain Reaction Remix #7
11/09/1985 Eaten Alive #3

[captainjames]

I agree with you
and I am loving it.




The years of Diana charting on the "Pop" chart is over. None of her records appear on the top 40 stations, so to continually go on and on about the one chart you know she won't chart on to bolster an arugment is silly. Her last CD charted on the top 200 album charts, in the top 40- that was a great achievement and one that many of her contemporaries would give anything for.

Just a reminder- just the facts:


Billboard Charts
Date/Title/Peak Position


Jazz Albums

07/01/2006 Blue #2


Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

03/14/2009 Playlist your Way #100
02/03/2007 I Love You #16
07/08/2006 Blue #7
06/05/1999 Everyday is a new Day #47
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #38
05/07/1994 Diana Extended/The Remixes #68
01/01/1994 Forever Diana #88
11/02/1991 The Force behind the Power #66
07/22/1989 Workin' Overtime #34
06/27/1987 Red Hot Rhythm & Blues #39
11/30/1985 Eaten Alive #27



R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

03/23/1996 If you're not gonna love me right #67
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #77
10/19/1991 When you tell me that you love me #37
?1991 No matter what you do [[w/Al B.Sure) #4
09/30/1989 This House #64
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #3
07/04/1987 Dirty Looks #12
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #10
07/13/1985 Telephone #13
02/23/1985 Missing You #1



Billboard Top 200 Album Chart

02/03/2007 I Love You #32
07/08/2006 Blue #146
06/06/1999 Every Day is a new Day #108
01/14/1995 Take me Higher #114
09/28/1991 The Force behind the power #102
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #116
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #45


Dance/Club Play Songs

06/19/1999 Until we meet Again #2
05/04/1996 I will Survive #37
12/02/1995 Take me Higher #1
06/04/1994 Someday We'll be together/Remix #7
02/22/1992 You're gonna love it #24
04/08/1989 Love Hangover89 #3
06/24/1989 Workin' Overtime #11
09/09/1989 Paradise #11
03/01/1986 Chain Reaction Remix #7
11/09/1985 Eaten Alive #3

[carlo]

Someone who receives a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is hardly a novelty act...just sayin'.

There are plenty of other artists these days who mostly only chart on the dance charts, but I would hardly consider them novelty acts. Jody Watley comes to my mind.

To me, Billboard charts are not an indicator of an artist's overall success. Diana goes so beyond all of that. The Supremes had a # 1 Dance hit with "He's My Man" in 1975. Some people at that time called them a "novelty" or "oldies" act, but I would have hardly considered them as that. There are a lot of talented artists out there who are unsigned and marketing their own music and many of them are hundreds of times more talented than Katy Perry and Britney Spears. I guess it depends on how you define success. Some people value commercial success. I personally value artistic and creative success.

[skooldem1]

I find it so funny, especially since some, in trying to support the notion that the later day Supremes were "successful" because they had a number one disco record, always mention that fact. On that subject, exactly what chart was it, what was it called back then? Was it cashbox or Billboard?

[carlo]

I find it so funny, especially since some, in trying to support the notion that the later day Supremes were "successful" because they had a number one disco record, always mention that fact.

Exactly.....

[Roberta75]

I find it so funny, especially since some, in trying to support the notion that the later day Supremes were "successful" because they had a number one disco record, always mention that fact. On that subject, exactly what chart was it, what was it called back then? Was it cashbox or Billboard?

If Mary Wilson hit the Dance or R&B Charts tomorrow you know who would be screaming her praises and making those charts the most important thing since sliced bread.

Roberta

[Constantin]

Beyond the charts and the figures, people still buy her records, talk about her [[how many threads here are devoted to her, for instance ;-), she appears on tv, in magazines, she's been photographed, she does concerts... Her contemporaries seldom do [[and I don't think of struggling acts like Mary Wilson but widely recognised singers like Dionne Warwick, Marlena Shaw, Thelma Houston, Donna Summer... much more forgotten by the general audience than Ross). She is still a major figure, even in the US, especially in the US.

[RossHolloway]

Regardless of chart positions, Diana Ross can still command an audience and sell out concerts. While there are some posters on this site who wake up every morning just to try and tear Diana Ross down, no one cares about these people and the haters have never stopped Ms. Ross from doing what she loves to do: sing and entertain. We should all be so blessed to be able to do what we love everyday and be as successful.

[Roberta75]

Cant we just enjoy the music she has given us, for Gods sake?.....Paulo xxx

The voice of reason. Amen paulo.

Roberta

[Glenpwood]

It's a little silly to go around crowing about Diana Ross lack of Hot 100 success post 1984 and expect her at 67 years old to go put out an album that would get her back there. Now, no one would love to see her beat the odds more than me but let's be realistic here, short of a Glee collaboration, a Rihanna duet, or a charity single for a natural disaster those days are finished. It's a shame that the ambition/drive/determination that made Diana Ross one of the biggest recording stars of the twentieth century also makes her the easiest target of blame for the lack of the same success for her Motown peers. Online she's treated like a pinata and everyone has a stick to bust her open with. Stevie Wonder was Motown's biggest star in terms of chart success and sales in the seventies but I don't see people bashing him saying he held back Smokey, Marvin, or Rick James from huge success in the same way posters say the sixties Supremes held back the Marvelettes and Martha & The Vandellas from constant chart toppers. There's a myriad of reasons why records succeed as well as fail and this theory that Diana sat around telling Berry to not promote other peoples records or had the weight to make that happen is ridiculous. Do you honestly think Mary Wilson is sitting somewhere at this second stewing over Red Hot barely scraping the R&B chart 33 after the fact or Diana is doing the same today about You're Gonna Love It? These women have let go of things that fan need to take a step back from. Miss Ross has taken all the bashing she gets with a grace and dignity very few people would still posess if the difficult moments of their life were played out in a public forum. It's a lesson I try to follow and wish some others would as well. Not everyone has to love Diana or The Supremes in the same way I do so for the other side of the coin I don't have to worship at the alter of say Metallica, Lady Gaga, or their Motown fave. I understand it's a personal thing when someone criticizes their act of choice. Just respect their right to not love them in the same way and avoid taking the bait. Display the dignity all the Supremes have and walk away from the foolishness. It will feel like you've removed a thirty pound sequined gown when you do.....

[marv2]

Beyond the charts and the figures, people still buy her records, talk about her [[how many threads here are devoted to her, for instance ;-), she appears on tv, in magazines, she's been photographed, she does concerts... Her contemporaries seldom do [[and I don't think of struggling acts like Mary Wilson but widely recognised singers like Dionne Warwick, Marlena Shaw, Thelma Houston, Donna Summer... much more forgotten by the general audience than Ross). She is still a major figure, even in the US, especially in the US.


You're delusional! She plays weddings and birthday parties! LOL!!

[marybrewster]

I don't know what I can add other than: it's funny how the people that dismiss Diana's #1 Dance song "Take Me Higher" have no issue reminding everyone how "He's My Man" reached #1 on the Disco charts. You can't have it both ways.

In my eyes, it's all about the music.

[marv2]

Look, Diane ain't made no good records in a couple of decades! She strayed too far from her roots. She needs Berry! hahahahahahaha.........!

[smark21]

Poor Diane.

[marv2]

Poor Diane.

Exactly! She should have never left Berry Gordy. Now you see how things turned out.

[robbert]

Marv MUST be off his medication, that's for sure. In an other thread I said Marv reminds me of a certain Tony T. I mean: why would he stir up a row again and again [[and then again) I don't know, I don't understand it and must conclude that he must be in deep psychological turmoil.

[thaperson]

I'm not taking the obvious bait. What makes me laugh is this person was complaining in the Motown 25 "Truth" thread about how some posters just come on here to incite arguments.

Pot meet kettle.

And let me say, I've taken the bait a couple of times, but they've all taken place in Diana Ross threads. I do not go into a thread that's solely on Mary Wilson and start posting negative comments because I have respect for the people on this board. I realize that she has her fans, and they have the right to talk about her.

Yes, an opinion is an opinion. But when I click on a thread about the reissue of her 1976 album, and have to read comments about Flo's death, it gets to be annoying.

[marv2]

Marv MUST be off his medication, that's for sure. In an other thread I said Marv reminds me of a certain Tony T. I mean: why would he stir up a row again and again [[and then again) I don't know, I don't understand it and must conclude that he must be in deep psychological turmoil.

You don't know me. All you know is that you love Diana Ross...... and anyone that doesn't love her [[in your opinion) must be sick! Now who is truly the sick one?

[marv2]

I'm not taking the obvious bait. What makes me laugh is this person was complaining in the Motown 25 "Truth" thread about how some posters just come on here to incite arguments.

Pot meet kettle.

And let me say, I've taken the bait a couple of times, but they've all taken place in Diana Ross threads. I do not go into a thread that's solely on Mary Wilson and start posting negative comments because I have respect for the people on this board. I realize that she has her fans, and they have the right to talk about her.

Yes, an opinion is an opinion. But when I click on a thread about the reissue of her 1976 album, and have to read comments about Flo's death, it gets to be annoying.

Thank Constantine for bumping this old thread back up for discussion........!

[atcsm]

You're delusional! She plays weddings and birthday parties! LOL!!

You need to edit your response...........

You're delusional! She [[who is a Grammy Lifetime Achievment Award Winner) plays weddings and birthday parties! LOL!!
Full disclosure.

[jobeterob]

Holy............Marv's taking an ass kicking tonight.

I would love to have a #anything dance or adult contemporary hit..........esp. love to have a #1 Dance hit in any year, but #1 Pop will take my cake. But not my cherry...........!

[marv2]

Holy............Marv's taking an ass kicking tonight.

I would love to have a #anything dance or adult contemporary hit..........esp. love to have a #1 Dance hit in any year, but #1 Pop will take my cake. But not my cherry...........!

You would love to have dance hits? and all this time I thought you were a lawyer! Ahemmmmmm.,............ LOL!!!!

[marv2]

You need to edit your response...........

You're delusional! She [[who is a Grammy Lifetime Achievment Award Winner) plays weddings and birthday parties! LOL!!
Full disclosure.

Oh yeah I needed to add she also plays Trade Shows............hehehehehehe......

[captainjames]

That is interesting Rob ~~~
Someone must have smelled like a rotten egg or acted like totally jerk to be booted from a concert.


LOL.........but she did blow the goal apart!

The negativity is just a couple guys who only have an online life and no other; she booted one from a concert, the story goes...........a la Tim McGraw, Bette Midler. It's not worth paying a lot of attention to but can be entertaining.

[marybrewster]

The last time Diana hit the Top 40 Billboard Pop chart was 1984, #10, "Missing You".

So let's take a look at her contemporaries and see how they've faired:

Smokey Robinson, 1987, #10, "One Heartbeat".
Elton John, 1997, #1, "Something About the Way You Look Tonight/Candle in the Wind '97".
Stevie Wonder, 1987, #19, "Skeletons".
Lionel Richie, 1992, #39, "Don't Wanna Lose You".
Tina Turner, 1992, #9, "Don't Wanna Fight".
Gladys Knight, 1987, #13, "Love Overboard".
Dionne Warwick, 1986, #12, "Love Power".
Aretha Franklin, 1996, #26, "A Rose is Still a Rose".
Cher, 1998, #1, "Believe".
The Temptations, 1975, #37, "Glasshouse".
The Four Tops, 1988, #35, "Indestructible".

So it's pretty safe to say, no one has had much chart action in at LEAST a decade.

[carlo]

Thanks MaryBrewster! Well said.

She's also had some recent hits in the UK with "Not Over You Yet" and "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" with Westlife.

[captainjames]

Thanks Mary for doing your homework !!!



The last time Diana hit the Top 40 Billboard Pop chart was 1984, #10, "Missing You".

So let's take a look at her contemporaries and see how they've faired:

Smokey Robinson, 1987, #10, "One Heartbeat".
Elton John, 1997, #1, "Something About the Way You Look Tonight/Candle in the Wind '97".
Stevie Wonder, 1987, #19, "Skeletons".
Lionel Richie, 1992, #39, "Don't Wanna Lose You".
Tina Turner, 1992, #9, "Don't Wanna Fight".
Gladys Knight, 1987, #13, "Love Overboard".
Dionne Warwick, 1986, #12, "Love Power".
Aretha Franklin, 1996, #26, "A Rose is Still a Rose".
Cher, 1998, #1, "Believe".
The Temptations, 1975, #37, "Glasshouse".
The Four Tops, 1988, #35, "Indestructible".

So it's pretty safe to say, no one has had much chart action in at LEAST a decade.

[jobeterob]

Excellent work Mary.

We love all these people.........the Tempts and the Tops and Aretha and Gladys and Diana. And yes, it's been a while since they've hit the big chart, the Hot 100 and not many singles get sold anyway. But most of them still hit a chart here and there and most of these people still get out there and give a few concerts here and there, probably all singing a little less well than they did 30 or 40 years ago.

And we are lucky to have them.

I see Whitney Houston also seems to have made a smart move back to films; and she's getting her most positive press in many years and the pictures from the movie appear to show her alert and strong.

These are just people, like all the rest of us; they have ups and downs. For the most part, we've certainly enjoyed them.

[Sugarchilehoneybaby]

I find it so funny, especially since some, in trying to support the notion that the later day Supremes were "successful" because they had a number one disco record, always mention that fact. On that subject, exactly what chart was it, what was it called back then? Was it cashbox or Billboard?

Actually, Skooldem you are 100% correct. FACT is, "He's My Man" isn't even listed in my Hot Dance/Disco 1974-2003 by Joel Whitburn. Not only did it not hit #1, it didn't land anywhere in the Top 20 in Billboard OR Record World. [[The Dance Chart was initially only 20 positions.)

As for Marv2, I pity you. This is all you have to do, is trip out on the fact that Diana Ross hasn't visited the Billboard Hot 100 since 1986? B F D.

[Sugarchilehoneybaby]

Actually, Skooldem you are 100% correct. FACT is, "He's My Man" isn't even listed in my Hot Dance/Disco 1974-2003 by Joel Whitburn. Not only did it not hit #1, it didn't land anywhere in the Top 20 in Billboard OR Record World. [[The Dance Chart was initially only 20 positions.)

As for Marv2, I pity you. This is all you have to do, is trip out on the fact that Diana Ross hasn't visited the Billboard Hot 100 since 1986? B F D.

Hey Skooldem, you forgot a few! Just to fill in the blanks:

Jazz Albums: 1993 Stolen Moments #10
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 1993 Stolen Moments #73
Classical Crossover Albums: 1993 Christmas In Vienna #1
Billboard Top 200 Album Chart: 1993 Christmas In Vienna #154

Adult Contemporary:

1985 Chain Reaction #25
1989 If We Hold On Together #23
1991 When You Tell Me That You Love Me #26
1996 Voice of The Heart #28
2005 I’ve Got A Crush On You #19 [[with Rod Stewart)

:p;)

[marv2]

Hey Skooldem, you forgot a few! Just to fill in the blanks:

Jazz Albums: 1993 Stolen Moments #10
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 1993 Stolen Moments #73
Classical Crossover Albums: 1993 Christmas In Vienna #1
Billboard Top 200 Album Chart: 1993 Christmas In Vienna #154

Adult Contemporary:

1985 Chain Reaction #25
1989 If We Hold On Together #23
1991 When You Tell Me That You Love Me #26
1996 Voice of The Heart #28
2005 I’ve Got A Crush On You #19 [[with Rod Stewart)

:p;)

One more time. Show me the Pop Charts. You know, the Billboard Hot 100. She hasn't placed anything on there since 1984 and her last "Solo Number One" was "Upside Down" in 1980 [[during the Jimmy Carter Administration), gasoline cost $1.25/gallon and a first class postage stamp cost $0.15 cents! It's no wonder why people under the age of 40 have never heard of Diana Ross.

[skooldem1]

Thanks Sugachilehoneybaby. I will revise the list. There are some here who hate "stats". I am not hung up on them, I just feel when people are out there trying to spin things, it is always best to just....hit em with the facts.

Billboard Charts
Date/Title/Peak Position


Classical Crossover Albums:

xx/xx/1993 Christmas In Vienna #1



Jazz Albums


07/01/2006 Blue #2
xx/xx/1993 Stolen Moments #10


Adult Contemporary:

1985 Chain Reaction #25
1989 If We Hold On Together #23
1991 When You Tell Me That You Love Me #26
1996 Voice of The Heart #28
2005 I’ve Got A Crush On You #19 [[with Rod Stewart)



Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

03/14/2009 Playlist your Way #100
02/03/2007 I Love You #16
07/08/2006 Blue #7
06/05/1999 Everyday is a new Day #47
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #38
05/07/1994 Diana Extended/The Remixes #68
01/01/1994 Forever Diana #88
xx/xx/1993 Stolen Moments #10
11/02/1991 The Force behind the Power #66
07/22/1989 Workin' Overtime #34
06/27/1987 Red Hot Rhythm & Blues #39
11/30/1985 Eaten Alive #27



R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

03/23/1996 If you're not gonna love me right #67
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #77
10/19/1991 When you tell me that you love me #37
?1991 No matter what you do [[w/Al B.Sure) #4
09/30/1989 This House #64
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #3
07/04/1987 Dirty Looks #12
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #10
07/13/1985 Telephone #13
02/23/1985 Missing You #1



Billboard Top 200 Album Chart

02/03/2007 I Love You #32
07/08/2006 Blue #146
06/06/1999 Every Day is a new Day #108
01/14/1995 Take me Higher #114
xx/xx/1993 Christmas In Vienna #154

09/28/1991 The Force behind the power #102
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #116
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #45


Dance/Club Play Songs

06/19/1999 Until we meet Again #2
05/04/1996 I will Survive #37
12/02/1995 Take me Higher #1
06/04/1994 Someday We'll be together/Remix #7
02/22/1992 You're gonna love it #24
04/08/1989 Love Hangover89 #3
06/24/1989 Workin' Overtime #11
09/09/1989 Paradise #11
03/01/1986 Chain Reaction Remix #7
11/09/1985 Eaten Alive #3





http://www.billboard.com/artist/dian...t-history/5566

[marv2]

Thanks Sugachilehoneybaby. I will revise the list. There are some here who hate "stats". I am not hung up on them, I just feel when people are out there trying to spin things, it is always best to just....hit em with the facts.

Billboard Charts
Date/Title/Peak Position


Classical Crossover Albums:

xx/xx/1993 Christmas In Vienna #1



Jazz Albums


07/01/2006 Blue #2
xx/xx/1993 Stolen Moments #10


Adult Contemporary:

1985 Chain Reaction #25
1989 If We Hold On Together #23
1991 When You Tell Me That You Love Me #26
1996 Voice of The Heart #28
2005 I’ve Got A Crush On You #19 [[with Rod Stewart)



Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

03/14/2009 Playlist your Way #100
02/03/2007 I Love You #16
07/08/2006 Blue #7
06/05/1999 Everyday is a new Day #47
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #38
05/07/1994 Diana Extended/The Remixes #68
01/01/1994 Forever Diana #88
xx/xx/1993 Stolen Moments #10
11/02/1991 The Force behind the Power #66
07/22/1989 Workin' Overtime #34
06/27/1987 Red Hot Rhythm & Blues #39
11/30/1985 Eaten Alive #27



R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

03/23/1996 If you're not gonna love me right #67
10/14/1995 Take me Higher #77
10/19/1991 When you tell me that you love me #37
?1991 No matter what you do [[w/Al B.Sure) #4
09/30/1989 This House #64
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #3
07/04/1987 Dirty Looks #12
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #10
07/13/1985 Telephone #13
02/23/1985 Missing You #1



Billboard Top 200 Album Chart

02/03/2007 I Love You #32
07/08/2006 Blue #146
06/06/1999 Every Day is a new Day #108
01/14/1995 Take me Higher #114
xx/xx/1993 Christmas In Vienna #154

09/28/1991 The Force behind the power #102
07/01/1989 Workin' Overtime #116
11/16/1985 Eaten Alive #45


Dance/Club Play Songs

06/19/1999 Until we meet Again #2
05/04/1996 I will Survive #37
12/02/1995 Take me Higher #1
06/04/1994 Someday We'll be together/Remix #7
02/22/1992 You're gonna love it #24
04/08/1989 Love Hangover89 #3
06/24/1989 Workin' Overtime #11
09/09/1989 Paradise #11
03/01/1986 Chain Reaction Remix #7
11/09/1985 Eaten Alive #3





http://www.billboard.com/artist/dian...t-history/5566

The facts are she has had no hits in America in almost two generations and from a clip I saw recently, she is not sounding too good today on stage. Just live for the memories I guess.

[Glenpwood]

Since the charts mean so much to a certain posters as the only benchmark of success, may I point out that our Lady of Parking Lots Shantel Baker has had a higher charting hit, Love Attack, on the R&B chart, than Mary Wilson had with her single Red Hot. Even Jean Terrell and Scherrie Payne had higher charting solo singles than Mary. Does this mean they are ultimately more important or successful than Mary or any other Supreme, no. I treat all the ladies on a level playing field. They are all talented wonderful individuals who deserve respect. They have all worked hard to maintain the legacy of the Supremes and keep the music alive, even if they didn't neccessarily find a way to regroup to work together in their original lineups to do so. It's this level of foolishness that "fans" and "haters" exhibit that gives the ladies plenty of reasons to stay home or solo. The internet may bring people together but it seems to give the Supremes plenty or reason to stay apart if they read some of the venom on the web. I can't say I would blame them.....

[144man]

Why don't certain Supremes fans [they know who they are] realise that all their tedious infighting is doing is tarnishing the Supremes' memory? Such an outstanding group deserves to have left a better legacy.

[jobeterob]

I so totally agree with Glen and 144Man.

So much damage has been done to the Supremes and the bulk of it has been hurled by fans.

I recall an interview in the year or two after RTL and it said all the Supremes were all damaged by the fallout but that no one was hurt more than Mary Wilson and they all suffered declining bookings and fees.

Let's hope the last 5 years have stopped that and that the ugly fans have returned to their burrows to hibernate for good.

There are about 3 or 4 mean spirited Wilson and Ross haters that chronically post to YouTube that are the prime offenders and I think they've become known to the Wilson camp at least. YAAAAAAHHHH!

[marv2]

I so totally agree with Glen and 144Man.

So much damage has been done to the Supremes and the bulk of it has been hurled by fans.

I recall an interview in the year or two after RTL and it said all the Supremes were all damaged by the fallout but that no one was hurt more than Mary Wilson and they all suffered declining bookings and fees.

Let's hope the last 5 years have stopped that and that the ugly fans have returned to their burrows to hibernate for good.

There are about 3 or 4 mean spirited Wilson and Ross haters that chronically post to YouTube that are the prime offenders and I think they've become known to the Wilson camp at least. YAAAAAAHHHH!

Mary Wilson is not suffering. You are completely out of your mind or just decided to just make stuff up! Mary Wilson performed over 100 concerts here and around the World just last year. It's funny you did not feel this way when you started that thread "Why Didn't Mary Wilson's Career Ever Take Off?" So as far as I am concern, you can go pound salt! The nerve!@

[marv2]

Why don't certain Supremes fans [they know who they are] realise that all their tedious infighting is doing is tarnishing the Supremes' memory? Such an outstanding group deserves to have left a better legacy.


I don't know who's fighting. All I am doing is stating facts!

[atcsm]

Just curious - do you dispute these "facts"?

Since the charts mean so much to a certain posters as the only benchmark of success, may I point out that our Lady of Parking Lots Shantel Baker has had a higher charting hit, Love Attack, on the R&B chart, than Mary Wilson had with her single Red Hot. Even Jean Terrell and Scherrie Payne had higher charting solo singles than Mary. Does this mean they are ultimately more important or successful than Mary or any other Supreme, no. I treat all the ladies on a level playing field. They are all talented wonderful individuals who deserve respect. They have all worked hard to maintain the legacy of the Supremes and keep the music alive, even if they didn't neccessarily find a way to regroup to work together in their original lineups to do so. It's this level of foolishness that "fans" and "haters" exhibit that gives the ladies plenty of reasons to stay home or solo. The internet may bring people together but it seems to give the Supremes plenty or reason to stay apart if they read some of the venom on the web. I can't say I would blame them.....

I don't know who's fighting. All I am doing is stating facts!

[marv2]

Just curious - do you dispute these "facts"?

Since the charts mean so much to a certain posters as the only benchmark of success, may I point out that our Lady of Parking Lots Shantel Baker has had a higher charting hit, Love Attack, on the R&B chart, than Mary Wilson had with her single Red Hot. Even Jean Terrell and Scherrie Payne had higher charting solo singles than Mary. Does this mean they are ultimately more important or successful than Mary or any other Supreme, no. I treat all the ladies on a level playing field. They are all talented wonderful individuals who deserve respect. They have all worked hard to maintain the legacy of the Supremes and keep the music alive, even if they didn't neccessarily find a way to regroup to work together in their original lineups to do so. It's this level of foolishness that "fans" and "haters" exhibit that gives the ladies plenty of reasons to stay home or solo. The internet may bring people together but it seems to give the Supremes plenty or reason to stay apart if they read some of the venom on the web. I can't say I would blame them.....

I didn't read post...sorry. All I know is that there is too much going on in the World right to even be discussing Diane Ross who hasn't a hit in over 30 years. She is basically unknown to large segments of the American public now. Sit here and argue with yourself because you cannot argue with the facts!

[atcsm]

Grammy Lifetime Acheivement Award winner Miss Ross
[[file://\\)
I didn't read post...sorry. All I know is that there is too much going on in the World right to even be discussing Diane Ross who hasn't a hit in over 30 years. She is basically unknown to large segments of the American public now. Sit here and argue with yourself because you cannot argue with the facts!

[Sugarchilehoneybaby]

I didn't read post...sorry. All I know is that there is too much going on in the World right to even be discussing Diane Ross who hasn't a hit in over 30 years. She is basically unknown to large segments of the American public now. Sit here and argue with yourself because you cannot argue with the facts!

LOL, if there's so much going on in the world, then why do you come here and respond to EVERY post about Diana Ross on this forum?

I think Diana should do a Mariah Carey remake for you: "why you so obsessed with me? boy, I wanna know..."

[Roberta75]

LOL, if there's so much going on in the world, then why do you come here and respond to EVERY post about Diana Ross on this forum?

I think Diana should do a Mariah Carey remake for you: "why you so obsessed with me? boy, I wanna know..."

LOL. Too funny but so true Sugarchilehoneybaby.

[Sugarchilehoneybaby]

LOL. Too funny but so true Sugarchilehoneybaby.

;) LOL, for real tho!

[144man]

I don't know who's fighting. All I am doing is stating facts!

I didn't even mention you. Do you have a guilty conscience? As far as "facts" are concerned, sometimes perceptions are just as important.

[marv2]

I didn't even mention you. Do you have a guilty conscience? As far as "facts" are concerned, sometimes perceptions are just as important.

Nah, I don't have a guilty conscience as I don't owe you anything. I did want to make it clear to anyone reading this OLD thread that Constantin bumped back up to the top! Someone on here talked about "venom", "haters" and all that B.S. I am only stating facts!... and in the words of Ray Parker Jr & Raydio......." and you can't change that!" LOL!

[Sugarchilehoneybaby]

Nah, I don't have a guilty conscience as I don't owe you anything. I did want to make it clear to anyone reading this OLD thread that Constantin bumped back up to the top! Someone on here talked about "venom", "haters" and all that B.S. I am only stating facts!... and in the words of Ray Parker Jr & Raydio......." and you can't change that!" LOL!

But you don't have facts. Others have posted the laundry list of charted hits on every chart except the Hot 100. And it's valid to do so, as we've demonstrated that Ross has seen ink in 4 separate albums genres and 3 different singles genres. For any R&B artist, it doesn't tell the whole story to just go by the Hot 100.

Besides, many of the fans in this forum appear to be from the UK and Europe, and Ross has had dozens of international hits - including several major hits - around the world since 1986. Matter of fact, her last Hot 100 US hit was the one that literally started a "chain reaction" :) around the world.

In the US, "If We Hold On Together" may not have been a Hot 100 hit [[although it is pretty well known, due to two generations of kids renting the Land Before Time), but in Japan, it's the 24th best-selling English-language single of all time. And "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" was a #2 hit - twice in two different versions - in the UK and Ireland.

This thread was started as "Diana Ross back in the UK charts. [[http://soulfuldetroit.com/showthread.php?4160-Diana-Ross-back-in-the-UK-charts)" anyway. So what's the US got to do with it, Tina?

Finally - and this is really the bottom line [[oops, another pun!) - there is a consensus that Ross's 90s studio albums [[Force, Higher, and EDIAND) are 3 of the finest of her entire career. Regardless of the quality of her RCA output, these 3 albums [[along with high quality specialty projects like "Stolen Moments", "When You Dream", and "Very Special Season") contain great music, no matter what the chart positions were.

[bradsupremes]

......she is not sounding too good today on stage.

Marv, I don't know what you are talking about. I went to see her two years ago when she was started her Greatest Hits tour and I thought she sounded incredible! She was on fire. Even the guys sitting next to me said that was the best show they saw of hers. The theatre was packed and she had the audience in her hands. When she sang "Don't Explain," I was in complete awe. In fact, I got to give her flowers that night! Certainly one of the best experiences I've ever had.

Also, according to Pollstar she was listed in the Top 100 North American tours of 2010. It was #66 to be exact. For a lady who began her singing career over 50 years ago, that's pretty damn impressive. The only other people with careers that lasted 50 years that also made the list were Paul McCartney, Cher, Van Morrison, and Willie Nelson. To me, that's successful. I don't know why you want to downplay her success.

[marv2]

Marv, I don't know what you are talking about. I went to see her two years ago when she was started her Greatest Hits tour and I thought she sounded incredible! She was on fire. Even the guys sitting next to me said that was the best show they saw of hers. The theatre was packed and she had the audience in her hands. When she sang "Don't Explain," I was in complete awe. In fact, I got to give her flowers that night! Certainly one of the best experiences I've ever had.

Also, according to Pollstar she was listed in the Top 100 North American tours of 2010. It was #66 to be exact. For a lady who began her singing career over 50 years ago, that's pretty damn impressive. The only other people with careers that lasted 50 years that also made the list were Paul McCartney, Cher, Van Morrison, and Willie Nelson. To me, that's successful. I don't know why you want to downplay her success.

I am going to show and tell you what I am talking about! I am NOT talking about 2 years ago. I AM talking about 2 weeks ago here in this clip. She sounds awful if you can focus on her vocals and not all that loud screaming done by the background singers. Also, she and that fat bald chick in the back need to go on diets......NOW!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvE9f83bbPA&feature=plcp&context=C3518f2bUDOEgsToPDskI5MTzG0EVigTS_QNNigDIT

[jobeterob]

Probably the Lifetime Achievement Grammy and the constant touring are sending him off the deep end; seems to be a reasonable explanation. Odd, but with the symptoms that present, it's what you expect.

[bradsupremes]

Also, she and that fat bald chick in the back need to go on diets......NOW!

Why do you always have this negativity toward Diana Ross? What did she ever do to you?

Also, she's 67 about to be 68 years old. Do you expect her to be rail thin all of her life?? I think she looks pretty damn good for her age. And I would watch what you say about those diet comments. I could easily tell you that Mary could use one herself if you expect people to be their best weight.

[Roberta75]

Why do you always have this negativity toward Diana Ross? What did she ever do to you?

Also, she's 67 about to be 68 years old. Do you expect her to be rail thin all of her life?? I think she looks pretty damn good for her age. And I would watch what you say about those diet comments. I could easily tell you that Mary could use one herself if you expect people to be their best weight.

He can't help himself bradsupremes. He says he has no interest in Diane Ross yet constantly bashes her on a daily basis, knows her tour schedule and seems to check out all of her youtube clips.

Both Mary and Diana are heavier now but heck they are almost 68 years old. Most if not all of us all gain weight as we advance in years.

There's no other way to say it other than he's just not a nice person.

Roberta

[Roberta75]

Probably the Lifetime Achievement Grammy and the constant touring are sending him off the deep end; seems to be a reasonable explanation. Odd, but with the symptoms that present, it's what you expect.

I bet he's been pretty silent on Diana's upcoming "Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award."

Didn't he used to go and on and on that she'd never get one. LOL

Roberta

[marv2]

Why do you always have this negativity toward Diana Ross? What did she ever do to you?

Also, she's 67 about to be 68 years old. Do you expect her to be rail thin all of her life?? I think she looks pretty damn good for her age. And I would watch what you say about those diet comments. I could easily tell you that Mary could use one herself if you expect people to be their best weight.

"Why do you always have this negativity toward Diana Ross? What did she ever do to you?"

Maybe you should not ask me questions about her if you don't like my responses. This is not "Diana Ross Forum", this is "Soulful Detroit Music Forum" so you should expect opposing views about her sometime!

[marv2]

I bet he's been pretty silent on Diana's upcoming "Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award."

Didn't he used to go and on and on that she'd never get one. LOL

Roberta

That's just a "pity" award that "somebody" bought because she could never win one in competition! LOL!!! They are giving that to her, she did not win it.

[jobeterob]

Well, there is one sad part to Diana receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. And that is, it pretty much seals the fate of the Supremes...........they won't get one now. And so the Grammys have sidestepped the minefield of who the Supremes are fortunately. And coming as it did when Universal compiled the singles and provided data on the numbers of songs where the Andantes overdubbed the Supremes, you can see in the posts of a couple of fans, that they needed a prescription to get over it all. How remarkable that the Supremes did this to people. And Mary has to post on her website to leave her and Diana out of it. Hard to have imagined it would come to that.

[carlo]

Also, she and that fat bald chick in the back need to go on diets......NOW!


That's really rude.

[marv2]

That's really rude.

OK, I sorry............hehehehehehe!

[dianesfan_1965]

Why do you always have this negativity toward Diana Ross? What did she ever do to you?

Also, she's 67 about to be 68 years old. Do you expect her to be rail thin all of her life?? I think she looks pretty damn good for her age. And I would watch what you say about those diet comments. I could easily tell you that Mary could use one herself if you expect people to be their best weight.

Bingo Brad. La Mervin is a bitter fucking asshole.

[jobeterob]

Join Date Aug 2010
Posts 2,531 jobeterob-

When "Someday" was released, I was just a twinkle in Daddy Brewster's eye.

To answer your question: being the foolish 12 year old I once was, I thought ALL of the backgrounds were the Supremes [[I also spent a lot of time trying to figure out which Supreme was Diana on the cover of the "Right On" LP.....).

Knowing what we do know, and having become more familiar with Mary's speaking and singing voice over the years, I know Mary Wilson is nowhere on that record.

But to me; does it really matter? Not really. Look, the music of Motown has brought so much happiness to me over the years. It mas made me laugh, made me cry, made me jump for joy. I know it's important to some to say oh, that's Marlene, that's Flo, that's Mary, that's not Mary, but to me, it's truly what's in the grooves that count.

I don't know why Mary and Cindy weren't included on some recordings: maybe it was a matter of cost, maybe it was a matter of logistics, maybe it was a matter of timing; I don't have the answers. But the image they gave; three beautiful, sparkling, fabulous goddesses weighs more than some ooh's and ahh's.

Speaking as a fan, I love Mary Wilson. I love Diana Ross. I am not obsessed with either. When I read the disgusting comments left by others geared towards either women, it pains me. It pains me because we have soldiers overseas losing their lives. We have 21 people still missing on a cruise ship that went awry. We have jobless parents and homeless children all over the United States that tonight will go to bed cold and hungry. And the best some people on this forum and others can do is call Diana Ross a drunk or Mary Wilson a bitch. It makes no sense to me. I can't imagine what has happened in their lives to make them so angry, and ugly. It makes no sense that so much time and energy can be so ill-directed. Maybe the world is filled with hateful, spiteful people. I guess I am fortunate that I don't surround myself with these people. I am fortunate that I have my health, a job, my family, a warm bed, my friends, and a little bit of money in my savings account. And because I have all of these things to be thankful for, I, in turn, am able to pay it forward. I write a check when I can. I volunteer as much as I can. I am trying to leave a footprint I can be proud of, because I believe this it IT for me. One time. One chance. I don't want to be remembered as the bitter betty that found perverse pleasure on picking on some senior citizens.

So here it is: when you call Diana Ross a drunk, remember that person in your own life that has struggled with addiction and made mistakes. Your Mom. Your sister. Your aunt. When you call Diana Ross that, you are calling all of them out. And when you call Mary Wilson a bitch, remember that person in your own life that has struggled with being abused and losing a child. Your best friend. Your cousin. Your niece. When you call Mary Wilson out, you are calling all of them out.

I used to get so angry while driving when someone would cut me off, or tail me going 100 miles an hour. But then, clear as day, it dawned on me: what if that person is in a rush to hear their spouses last breath. Or what if that person is in a rush to console their daughter who just had a miscarriage. Until you've walked a mile in someone else's shoes, where is the right to call anyone anything other than human?

Be well. That is all. Did that answer your question?

[Roberta75]

Join Date Aug 2010
Posts 2,531 jobeterob-

When "Someday" was released, I was just a twinkle in Daddy Brewster's eye.

To answer your question: being the foolish 12 year old I once was, I thought ALL of the backgrounds were the Supremes [[I also spent a lot of time trying to figure out which Supreme was Diana on the cover of the "Right On" LP.....).

Knowing what we do know, and having become more familiar with Mary's speaking and singing voice over the years, I know Mary Wilson is nowhere on that record.

But to me; does it really matter? Not really. Look, the music of Motown has brought so much happiness to me over the years. It mas made me laugh, made me cry, made me jump for joy. I know it's important to some to say oh, that's Marlene, that's Flo, that's Mary, that's not Mary, but to me, it's truly what's in the grooves that count.

I don't know why Mary and Cindy weren't included on some recordings: maybe it was a matter of cost, maybe it was a matter of logistics, maybe it was a matter of timing; I don't have the answers. But the image they gave; three beautiful, sparkling, fabulous goddesses weighs more than some ooh's and ahh's.

Speaking as a fan, I love Mary Wilson. I love Diana Ross. I am not obsessed with either. When I read the disgusting comments left by others geared towards either women, it pains me. It pains me because we have soldiers overseas losing their lives. We have 21 people still missing on a cruise ship that went awry. We have jobless parents and homeless children all over the United States that tonight will go to bed cold and hungry. And the best some people on this forum and others can do is call Diana Ross a drunk or Mary Wilson a bitch. It makes no sense to me. I can't imagine what has happened in their lives to make them so angry, and ugly. It makes no sense that so much time and energy can be so ill-directed. Maybe the world is filled with hateful, spiteful people. I guess I am fortunate that I don't surround myself with these people. I am fortunate that I have my health, a job, my family, a warm bed, my friends, and a little bit of money in my savings account. And because I have all of these things to be thankful for, I, in turn, am able to pay it forward. I write a check when I can. I volunteer as much as I can. I am trying to leave a footprint I can be proud of, because I believe this it IT for me. One time. One chance. I don't want to be remembered as the bitter betty that found perverse pleasure on picking on some senior citizens.

So here it is: when you call Diana Ross a drunk, remember that person in your own life that has struggled with addiction and made mistakes. Your Mom. Your sister. Your aunt. When you call Diana Ross that, you are calling all of them out. And when you call Mary Wilson a bitch, remember that person in your own life that has struggled with being abused and losing a child. Your best friend. Your cousin. Your niece. When you call Mary Wilson out, you are calling all of them out.

I used to get so angry while driving when someone would cut me off, or tail me going 100 miles an hour. But then, clear as day, it dawned on me: what if that person is in a rush to hear their spouses last breath. Or what if that person is in a rush to console their daughter who just had a miscarriage. Until you've walked a mile in someone else's shoes, where is the right to call anyone anything other than human?

Be well. That is all. Did that answer your question?

One of marybrewster's best postings. Sadly it will go right over his Ross obsessed head. It's really best to stick marv2 on ignore.

Roberta

[dianesfan_1965]

OK, I sorry............hehehehehehe!

Yeah you are one sorry mother fucker.


Fuck off lying asshole.

[atcsm]

Pretty impressive list of "pity" winners......bless them

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Lifetime_Achievement_Award



That's just a "pity" award that "somebody" bought because she could never win one in competition! LOL!!! They are giving that to her, she did not win it.

[jobeterob]

Feb. 11, pre Grammy, post Lifetime Achievement Award for Diana Ross.

Join us in a Soulful Detroit "Pity Party" for Marv. He will wear dark glasses to erase the tear stains from his face. Music: Red Hot non stop. Videos of RTL will run in the background featuring close ups of Lynda hugging Diane.

Purpose: To survive his night of great dread as Diana joins Ella, Aretha, Stevie, Elvis, Otis Redding, Etta James, the Rolling Stones, Curtis Mayfield, Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, Leontyne Price, Sam Cooke and others in receiving Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award.

[Roberta75]

Pretty impressive list of "pity" winners......bless them

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Lifetime_Achievement_Award

Po marv2. He's truly freaking out over Diane's Lifetime Achievement Award. LOL

Roberta

[RossHolloway]

What I don't understand is why people waste their limited time on earth engaging with marv2. If we all learn to ignore him, he will eventually go away. He/she/it brings way too much negativity to this board. Don't feed the troll and it will eventually go away.

[marv2]

Po marv2. He's truly freaking out over Diane's Lifetime Achievement Award. LOL

Roberta

YAWN...............hehehehehe!

[jobeterob]

Most people feel as you do Ross.

As long as trolls aren't dangerous, it's fine to ignore them. However they can also be amusing.

Occasionally, I wonder if it wouldn't be a dull, if more placid forum without a troll.

[atcsm]

Nice write up from the Grammy website...

http://www.grammy.com/news/lifetime-achievement-award-diana-ross




Po marv2. He's truly freaking out over Diane's Lifetime Achievement Award. LOL

Roberta

[theboyfromxtown]

Occasionally, I wonder if it wouldn't be a dull, if more placid forum without a troll.

I think you're right Rob. It certainly raises passions for the music, akin to supporting your favourite sports team. Nevertheless, there's plenty room for everyone.

With the glut of reality shows on TV, do you think it's time for a Celebrity SDF!!!

[captainjames]

It was a nice write-up and way overdue.
Way to go Diana !!!



Nice write up from the Grammy website...

http://www.grammy.com/news/lifetime-achievement-award-diana-ross

[Roberta75]

A nice article on Diana from her hometown newspaper.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...ntertainment|p [[http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120207/ENT04/202070306/Lifetime-award-Ross-correct-Grammy-slights?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Entertainment|p)

[simplysupreme]

she and that fat bald chick in the back need to go on diets......NOW!

Peeps who are on the "swoll" side themselves have NO business commenting on others' weight..

[jobeterob]

And who do you mean simplysupreme? LOL. I love that word "swoll". Uncertain if it's a big gut, a fat ass or a big head or all 3.

[simplysupreme]

And who do you mean simplysupreme? LOL. I love that word "swoll". Uncertain if it's a big gut, a fat ass or a big head or all 3.

LOL! It's to whom it may concern, Rob. And you're right, the term can be used for either/all of the above!

[dianesfan_1965]

Probably the Lifetime Achievement Grammy and the constant touring are sending him off the deep end;

Dare to dream, hon! Dare to dream.

[dianesfan_1965]

A nice article on Diana from her hometown newspaper.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...ntertainment|p [[http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120207/ENT04/202070306/Lifetime-award-Ross-correct-Grammy-slights?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Entertainment|p)

But Detroit HATES "Diane"!!!