Diana in Vegas

[luke]

http://www.lvrj.com/neon/las-vegas-c...8.html?ref=938

[olamaebarto]

Well, we're going to Las Vegas tomorrow, but my husband already made plans with friends so we can't go. Damn it!

[supreme_lady]

Las Vegas celebrities looking forward to Diana Ross performance at Caesars

http://www.lvrj.com/neon/las-vegas-c...107436938.html

You go knock them dead Miss Ross, can't wait to see you in Vegas.

[marybrewster]

Cute article, supreme_lady. Thanks for posting.

I can't imagine Diana being anything less than sensational. This seems to be THE Diana tour.

[Motown_M_1056]

Cute article, supreme_lady. Thanks for posting.

I can't imagine Diana being anything less than sensational. This seems to be THE Diana tour.

Wonder if Mary Wilson will attend any of Diana's shows at Caesats? If so, I'd be checking that guest list to make sure my name was on it. HeheheheheheeTeehee I couldn't help myself,

[jobeterob]

After George Wallace opens for Diana Ross at Caesars Palace, he performs at Flamingo Las Vegas.
DUANE PROKOP/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL



Diana Ross

When Flamingo headliner George Wallace heard his friend Diana Ross was returning to Las Vegas, he made an offer she couldn't refuse.

"I called to say welcome back and that I'd open for free," Wallace said Friday, before Ross opened her two-night stand at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Wallace not only opened for Ross 31 years ago, "but she was the first one to bring me to Las Vegas."

He was just three years into his career and still sharing a New York City apartment with rising comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

"I worked with Miss Ross for a year and a half," Wallace said. "It's one of the only shows I've gone to where I'd get chills before she came out."

His big break in show business came about the time he appeared on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson," he said. He was opening for George Benson and Natalie Cole and they all shared the same agent. One day he got a call: "Miss Ross would like you to open for her."

Wallace said that first gig in Las Vegas was his introduction to room service sticker shock.

He was fresh from college and on the $1.99 Whopper diet. One morning he ordered raisin toast at Caesars Palace and was charged $7.25.

"I asked the lady to take $6 worth of raisins off," he said.

They did two shows a night back then, a dinner performance and a midnight cocktail show.

He's doing double duty again: After opening for Ross at 8 p.m., he'll dash across the Strip for his 10 p.m. show at Flamingo Las Vegas.

MADE IN VEGAS

The first official single from Michael Jackson's next release -- titled "Michael" -- is being celebrated at the Palms.

A duet with Akon, the single, "Hold My Hand," was recorded at the Palms recording studio during the summer of 2008. It comes out Monday.

"We're real excited," said Palms owner George Maloof. Jackson was staying at the Palms while recording the music and his children have returned to stay at the hotel since his death in June 2009.

Maloof said hundreds of recording artists have done studio work over the past five years, including Britney Spears, Celine Dion, The Killers, Kid Rock, Elton John and Eminem.

[jonc]

Well the old gal owned the Las Vegas strip last night. Miss Ross was pitch perfect the entire night and oozing charisma. We had 6th row dead center seats and the Colosseum at Caesars was one big party. Highlights for me were Reflections [[with the Supremes videos playing in the background), You can't Hurry Love, a smoking Love Child, Take Me Higher, The Look of Love, Missing You, Don't Explain, You are Not Alone, which she dedicated to all former Motowners who have passed away [[no photos tribute of Michael at the end.

MJ was the last photo in the "It's hard for Me" video tribute. I have to say that last night it really hit me why she still includes "I Will Survive" in the show. From the opening "At first I was afraid" the entire audience at Caesars Palace were on their feet.

George Wallace opened for her and told the audience Miss Ross put him on the map. Valerie was back along with Lisa and Fred who we chatted with after the show. I was with Miss Lish [[Divalicious) for martini's before the show and afterwards we joined Greggie Simon, DeMarcio and Devin.

It was a fantastic night.

[motown4ever]

Well the old gal owned the Las Vegas strip last night. Miss Ross was pitch perfect the entire night and oozing charisma. We had 6th row dead center seats and the Colosseum at Caesars was one big party. Highlights for me were Reflections [[with the Supremes videos playing in the background), You can't Hurry Love, a smoking Love Child, Take Me Higher, The Look of Love, Missing You, Don't Explain, You are Not Alone, which she dedicated to all former Motowners who have passed away [[no photos tribute of Michael at the end.

MJ was the last photo in the "It's hard for Me" video tribute. I have to say that last night it really hit me why she still includes "I Will Survive" in the show. From the opening "At first I was afraid" the entire audience at Caesars Palace were on their feet.

George Wallace opened for her and told the audience Miss Ross put him on the map. Valerie was back along with Lisa and Fred who we chatted with after the show. I was with Miss Lish [[Divalicious) for martini's before the show and afterwards we joined Greggie Simon, DeMarcio and Devin.

It was a fantastic night.

Jonc you lucky devil !!!

[simplysupreme]

Fantastic! Thanks Jon.

[jonc]

Jonc you lucky devil !!!

Both her sons were there looking dapper and extremely handsome. Miss Ross gave it her all last night. She even had 12 or so male dancers who she heaped praise on at the end.

[Motown_M_1056]

Both her sons were there looking dapper and extremely handsome. Miss Ross gave it her all last night. She even had 12 or so male dancers who she heaped praise on at the end.

Way to go, JonC!
You Vegas baller.
Sounds like it was a great show.
I also enjoyed George Wallace's story from Jobeterob.
I didn't know he was that fresh into his comedy career when he toured with Diana Ross. I saw them together years ago.

But it says a lot about Diana if Wallace was willing to open for her again, especially now that he's a fixture in Vegas- someone who lives there and actually works there.

[supreme_lady]

From another board,

I was there on Friday night. Fantastic!! Of course, it was The Colleseum, where Bette Midler & Celine Dion were. Diana looked great and sounded great. Yes, she had the video screen with pictures & film clips of The Supremes, such as her & Florence playing ping pong. It was basically the same show as what she had started the tour with, opening with "The Boss". She did the Michael Jackson tribute at the end, "Missing You/You Are Not Alone", which was the only thing that was different from when I saw her in June in San Diego, only that one didn't have the video screens. Live horns, but not strings. One big difference was the addition of DANCERS. Half a dozen men dressed in white shirts & ties, doing handstands, backflips, and other gymnastics. As for her gowns, opened with the silver & black slit up the side gown, with green wrap, then the red one, with the draped top, beautiful purple gown that I hadn't seen before, then the pink ball gown, then the x-mas tree looking one [[too bright for me), then the Egyptian looking one. Her sons were in the audience and stood when introduced. She looked like she was really enjoying being in Vegas again, after 25 years.

Another short review.

Miss Ross blew the roof off Caesars yesterday!!

Wow!! What a night! The colosseum is beautiful and very comfortable .. The
place was jammed. George Wallace opened.. Then that overture.. She opened with
the boss, then mtty, then reflections, my world, stop, where did our love go,
baby love,,,, great renditions she was in top form last night [[I liked this show
more than radio city, if that's possible.. My faves.. It's hard for me, look of
love, dont explain and anmhe.. Wow. Evan and Ross were in the next section
parallel to us.. They stood to applause.. The applause after survive wouldn't
die down until Diana came back to close with missing you/you are not alone/ then
I love you up that staircase! Wow!! Still feelin the Ross high. Her image and
that great video were on all the time in front of Caesars .. Lots of people [[on
our plane, in the elevator , at the airport) were mentioning Diana [[always with
awe). Lovely weekend so glad I came!!

http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/...aesars-palace/

[carlo]

Great reviews. Did the concert begin with that amazing intrumental lead-in and then she came out performing "The Boss"??? I love that intro. I hope she kept it in the show.

[jonc]

Yes Carlo, the show started with the amazing instrumental lead-in with the background video and then she came out performing "The Boss" followed by "More Today than Yesterday."

Her voice was top notch and she looked amazing.

[Koach]

That's great to hear!

[smark21]

Here's footage of Ross doing Stop in Vegas

[carlo]

Thanks Jon C! That intro is so amazing and exciting. The curtains drop and the video starts playing and Diana makes her entrance!! Too cool.

One thing I've noticed is that Diana's vocals have become a lot stronger, especially in comparison to 1999/2000 [[ie. RTL). When she cleaned herself up in 2003/2004...she did her comeback tour...then followed by the I Love You promotional appearances and tour. As time went on, her voice has seemed to become stronger and stronger. In the early stages of "her return", she had some shaky moments vocally [[and that's understandable)...but just listen to her now. Really amazing. I mean, just watch the video below...when she does that interlude, "DO YOU KNOW!! DO YOU KNOW!! DOOO YOOOUUU KNOOOOOWWWW!!!" At one time, she used to struggle with that. Now it's coming out so strong and clear! Plus, she just seems to be loving every minute of it onstage. She's got this new energy about her. Diana is back in a big way! This tour is amazing.

[carlo]

I really wish Diana would release a live CD and DVD from this current tour. These days, whenever I'm humming or singing a hit song of her's, it's ALWAYS the live version that she does in concert. Like "Touch Me In the Morning"...I always have that smooth jazz arrangement stuck in my head..."Mornings were blue and gold...we walked with a dream to hold...there's no tomorrow here...but we had yesterday..." Or even her salsa version of "Love Child". I love that! I also think her live version of "It's Hard For Me To Say" is just as good as the original...maybe even better. We need some recordings of these!

[supreme_lady]

A review by a fan.

This is what a Diana Ross concert is suppose to be like! After "touring" with her to different venues in her latest incarnation of a greatest hits tour, I can honestly say that Diana Ross' performance at Cesar's Palace on Saturday was the best one yet. I can only imagine how Friday's was [[I can only live it thru the reviews by other club members)! This was by far, her best vocal performance [[she was "off" on a few notes here and there but overall amazing!), her energy level was high as well. As I mentioned in another e-mail, there is something about Las Vegas that brings out the best in our girl. There wasn't anything new in her song selections [[actually there were a couple of songs that went missing...I may be wrong but I don't recall hearing Ease On Down The Road, Mirror, Mirror, a couple of Supremes song and there was no 'Reach Out & Touch' encore) but the ones she did sing sounded fresh because they was tight. Diana and her current band has create a bond at this point that they all seemed incredibly in sync with one another. I remember one concert in this tour where the drummer jumped into "I Will Survive" AFTER she sang 'You Are Not Alone' and she gave him a look which made him freeze and the rest of the band immediately segued into "I Love You." Most audience members probably didn't catch it but those who knew the sequence did. There was none of that on Saturday Night. Every song fell right into place and it gave Ms. Ross the confidence to concentrate on her vocals and even her dance moves. Although she was personal with the audience, she kept her small talk minimal [[as she has been in this tour). I won't go into the songs she sang because everyone who has been reading the reviews in this club knows the order. As mentioned, the addition of the dancers brought a new dimension to the show - but that's Vegas, baby. Performers don't just have shows - they have spectaculars! Diana Ross is no different. As mentioned, the audience mostly comprised of locals and they eagerly awaited for any attention she was willing to give them. I was sitting in the fourth row so I was able to get some amazing photos and video clips. There is something grand to be said about the view of the stage and watching Ms. Ross perform only a few feet away; but its another to sit in the middle or even the balcony to get an overview of the entire event: sometimes it can be breathtaking to see the entire arena come alive, something you can't enjoy being up close and personal. So for me, the jury is still out as to where it is best to sit in one of her shows. As I said, her vocals were simply amazing and stunning. This is the first time I heard her sing 'It's Hard For Me To Say' comfortably. At the beginning of her tour, I felt she was struggling to reach some notes in this song, but on Saturday Night, the lyrics came out of her naturally. She definitely nailed the song as she did with most of the others. However, toward the end of the show, I noticed a few notes sung off-key but even then, she was able to correct herself. When the show was over and I was heading out the door, I overheard one lady telling her friend that she even though she couldn't be Diana Ross, she wanted to, at least, have her clothes! They're still stunning regardless how many times I've seen them. I have to mention a magical trick, a Las Vegas illusion, that this show successfully staged by having George Wallace open the show for her. He covered one common ailment of Ms. Ross current show...her ability to get on the stage on time! LOL. The majority of shows that I attended, had Ms. Ross on stage 15 to 25 minutes after the printed start time.

The following night, I did go to see Human Nature perform again across the street from Cesar's at the Imperial Palace. And again I was placed at a table directly in front of the stage where I could see the sweat pour from their faces. A couple of them smiled at me because they were acknowledging the fact that I was wearing a Diana Ross T Shirt in tribute to 'the Motown Sound'. I've mentioned that their show was stunning but this time around, I was concentrating more on their intricate dance movements that they've learned from the Four Tops, Temptations and other Motown acts. They're timing was impeccable and down-right haunting. I saw Motown flash before my eyes! When they sung "You Can't Hurry Love", they called it their favorite Motown song because it was fun to sing.

Unfortunately I didn't run into any Diana Ross fans that I knew and I'm too shy to go up and say anything to anyone even though I know all of them came for Diana Ross. To read all these reviews of the different club members that were in attendance made me wish I was more outgoing so that I could have met some of them. Maybe next time. But it was still a magical weekend, when I arrived at my hotel, "I'm Coming Out" was playing in the casino and when I left to check-out today, one of the hotel staffers suddenly broke out into song, singing 'Ease On Down The Road'. Very odd.

But let it be said that Diana Ross should really consider a permanent gig at Las Vegas. I know she was offered it before and last weekend was a testament to her ability to draw in a crowd [[Saturday's show wasn't sold out but it certainly felt that way). However a commitment to bring her show to Vegas permanently may scare her because, IMHO, it will prevent her from traveling across the nation and the world where I feel she likes to bring her talents to. I also think she might be afraid that she may not be able to draw people to her show the way somebody as flamboyant as Bette Midler, Barry Manilow & Cher could [[IMO, her feelings might have stemmed from the Return to Love Tour - which affected her big time). Hopefully, this weekend would put any fear she may have had to rest. She could be the new Queen of Las Vegas entertainment if she put her mind to it. There ain't nothing this lady can't do.

[supreme_lady]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010...daughter-cele/

[supreme_lady]

Another great review with the best photos of the Supreme Diva herself, if you click on link, you will see the photos.

http://www.shulmansays.com/archives/...Us-Hanging-On/

[supreme_lady]

Diana Ross epitomizes what true Las Vegas entertainment is meant to be


http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/...egas-entertai/