Ive been told a Mary Wilson can actuallywalk on water.
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Ella Fitzgerald.
The beautiful Nancy Wilson.
And Ian Levine is a dirtbag.
Ian didn't have money to pay many who had never got much for what they did but ranks higher than the Queen of Soul for ethics
If Mary walks on water Diana can fly
Aretha, I've heard both good and horrible stories about her. I often feel she suffers from bipolar disorder, the death of her mother and the struggles of living under the watchful eye of a minister father who himself was running amok sleeping with women - and occasionally molesting teenage girls [[one of which gave birth to one of his "illegitimate" children) and then getting turned out at 13 by the guy who ended up fathering her first child. Aretha never got a chance to be a kid and was forced to grow up rather early. Bettye LaVette recalls smoking weed and drinking with Aretha when they were young. The stories of her telling Mahalia Jackson that "b*tch you ain't so grand" after Mahalia refused to help her father [[for the 1,567th time) after he got busted for weed possession in Miami, or when she refused to talk to Mavis Staples for a time because Mavis brought up how Aretha's mother abandoned her [[which technically wasn't true; it's just that her father refused to let his children live with her in Buffalo so instead of living in Buffalo, the Franklin children had to make conjugal visits during the summer prior to Barbara Franklin's death when Aretha was 10).
Sometimes hardships can harden someone. Doesn't make one evil but they're sure difficult to deal with at times. Aretha also developed a stubbornness that co-aligns with her Aries side [[much like Marvin) that continues to this day.
Anyway, this is not about Mary Wilson. Stop it.
Kids settle down. It's not that serious
ANYWAYS, like I said, most celebrities, especially the really talented ones like Diana, Aretha, Patti, etc., are complex individuals. We shouldn't look at one side of their personalities and disregard their legacies. Unfortunately being difficult comes with the territory. Even the seemingly nice ones can be difficult to someone in their lives. It just happens.
the first ever artist i worked for was Blondie - Deborah Harry..she was the sweetest kindest lovely lady..I had to look after KD Lang for a day once and she was the same just a nice normal lady..Rupaul was great to work for he has a big heart...the worst I had to deal with ? Spice girls Mariah carey and yoko ono..a truly awful vile woman
Divas are complex people. Artists are complex people. Writers are complex people. Doctors are complex people. Athletes and politicians and scientists and all of us. IMO we are all called to live by the golden rule.
I had not thought of Nancy Wilson in reference to my question, but what a nice addition to the discussion. I would hope she is as sweet as she is talented.
You guys are getting frisky with your discussions of the not-so-nice ones, but I can see your points in most cases. Still no one has guessed the lady I was thinking of but maybe that is my fault. Perhaps I misled you by using the term "mega star" in my original post, because the lady I have in mind might not really meet that criteria, although she certainly is a known recording artist.
I will give you a hint...........remember the sweet smile that I mentioned and also she was a guest on Dionne's TV show once. Not Solid Gold, but the later one that I think was entitled Dionne and Friends. I think it only lasted part of one season. Does that help?
Hmm... I might need more clues than that? I got blanks lol
I know Mica Paris, and she is as lovely as she is talented but i somehow don't think it is Mica who daviddsepar was refering to. I didn't see the Dionne tv show as it was not shown in the UK so that doesn't give me any clues. We could go on guessing all day. I met Thelma Houston earlier this year and she was delightful. Could it be her?
Stephanie Mills?
You're right about the "My Love is Your Love Tour". At the Universal Ampitheater date, the first 5 songs went well....but, she became increasingly distracted. A fan had given her a big beautiful bouquet of flowers, as she ascended the stairs she tossed that bouquet down with a vengeance. It was horrifying to experience. You may remember she canceled the San Francisco date the next day though there was no sign of illness at the Universal Ampitheater date. Of course, anything could have happened later that evening. However, though I was in a bit of denial....it was at the beginning stages of her illness [[addictions).
Woahh, I've been away for 3 days and this 2-page thread has appeared out of nowhere, LOL!!
I have never met or talked to any of these artists, and I have no idea what they are/were like in person, so I can probably contribute very little to this thread, hehe!
On the matter of Ian Levine, well, I have never met him either. I have great respect for him recording all the former Motown artists, and I don't think he could have paid them because Motorcity didn't make much money from its releases...? Edwin Starr and Frank Wilson seemingly became good friends with him, although Mary Wilson not so much...
She is lovely Ollie. I had already told Diana about how talented Mica was, and in 1990 i took Mica to meet Diana. I had given Diana a copy of Mica's debut cd which she loved and the look upon Mica's face when Diana told her which were her favourite songs was priceless. As you rightly say Mica should have become a superstar but she was very unhappy with her 3rd album "whisper a prayer" which i thought was a fine album, but it was too slick and polished for Mica's liking and sheparted company with her label when they wanted her to record a similar themed follow up album. Her "black angel" album is well worth checking out. Love my girl Mica!
Miki Howard talks about Whitney Houston:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AQLp7g-Ta4
Brenda Holloway is a very nice lady, as is Kim Weston [[I hope she's doing well). Kim is absolutely hilarious, btw!
Thank you so much more sharing that Bluebrock. Do you recall which songs Diana happened to like best from mica's debut album and did they get on?.
I am in agreement with Mica. That 3rd album for me was indeed a little to slick and rounded, although i love the song Whisper A Prayer. I have been playing "Black Angel" for years and also love her second album and "Born Again".
Sorry folks, i know this is a Motown Forum but Mica did duet with Mr Will Downing who was once signed to motown on a one album deal so there is a tentative connection....Kind of.
No arguments from me, Ollie9! I've always loved Mica's work. I agree with you, Mica, and Bluebrock about WHISPER A PRAYER; CONTRIBUTION remains my favorite, which I recently repurchased from my favorite local used CD outlet. I dug BLACK ANGEL as well. I just learned about her covers album yesterday! And don't forget "Young Soul Rebels"!
I will give it up for Vesta Williams. She was truly a sweet heart and would keep you laughing all the time. I can remember driving her around to gigs and she could just say some of the craziest stuff that would make you go......................HUH ??? Gone too soon but, definitely a star of high caliber. Rest in Heaven Vesta !!!!!
I had to think about this because all have driven me to think WTF but Vesta was unique.
IDK, but she was truly underrated as a musician. She reminded me of Phyllis Hyman because vocally she could handle any song she was given.