Randy Taraborrelli Interview

[marv2]

Joan Rivers interviews Randy Taraborrelli "Call Me Miss Ross" author

[marv2]

This interview, also from the 80s provides a nice contrast to the Mary Wilson interview from "American Black Journal" in my opinion.

[marv2]

Does anyone know whatever happened to him? Is he still writing?

[lakeside]

Does anyone know whatever happened to him? Is he still writing?

http://jrandytaraborrelli.com/

[marv2]

http://jrandytaraborrelli.com/

Oh ok, so he is still writing. Do you know if Diana Ross ever sued him for his book "Call Her Miss Ross"?

[milven]

Oh ok, so he is still writing. Do you know if Diana Ross ever sued him for his book "Call Her Miss Ross"?

[midnightman]

Actually Berry Gordy sued J. Randy Taraborrelli for libel and invasion of privacy following the release of the book on...

...Michael Jackson.

https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/ed...i-j-randy-1956

True, Diana did not like how she was portrayed in Call Me Miss Ross [[and Smokey Robinson was pretty blunt against it in public a few times) but she never sued him. And has never sued Mary Wilson, nor Mark Bego, nor Mark Ribowsky, nor Tony Turner, for their books on her and the Supremes.

I mean if we're gonna keep it 100, let's get the facts straight.

[marv2]

Actually Berry Gordy sued J. Randy Taraborrelli for libel and invasion of privacy following the release of the book on...

...Michael Jackson.

https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/ed...i-j-randy-1956

True, Diana did not like how she was portrayed in Call Me Miss Ross [[and Smokey Robinson was pretty blunt against it in public a few times) but she never sued him. And has never sued Mary Wilson, nor Mark Bego, nor Mark Ribowsky, nor Tony Turner, for their books on her and the Supremes.

I mean if we're gonna keep it 100, let's get the facts straight.

I wonder why she didn't sue anyone. She always claimed she was a fighter and she certainly is not nice. So why not sue? Hmmmmm........... let me think about that for a moment! LOL!!!!

[Roberta75]

I wonder why she didn't sue anyone. She always claimed she was a fighter and she certainly is not nice. So why not sue? Hmmmmm........... let me think about that for a moment! LOL!!!!

Wonder why you care and spend so much time focusing on a woman you dont care much about. You seem real obesessed with Diana Ross. Dont you have any kinda life outside of this here forum? Hmmmmm........... let me think about that for a moment! LOL!!!

[Zantellor]

Roberta, I do not post much but may I ask you why you are always so nasty to Marv?

[marv2]

Roberta, I do not post much but may I ask you why you are always so nasty to Marv?

I can't see what he is posting. I put him on ignore over 3 years ago. Ralph will have to tell me......

[Roberta75]

Roberta, I do not post much but may I ask you why you are always so nasty to Marv?

Im actually not but best you stay out of it my dear Zantellor.

[midnightman]

I wonder why she didn't sue anyone. She always claimed she was a fighter and she certainly is not nice. So why not sue? Hmmmmm........... let me think about that for a moment! LOL!!!!

I mean maybe she didn't think it was worth it. Aretha Franklin also didn't sue [[though she threatened to) David Ritz for his book on her [[which is what he originally wanted to work with her on but she refused to delve into her personal life to anyone she thought was a stranger). Marvin Gaye's estate didn't sue for some of the fables told in the books on him [[in particularly how MG III was born). Some folks just decided lawsuits are not necessary. Even MARY and Florence's estate could've sued for what Tony Turner wrote about them [[and Tony wasn't particularly nice about Mary so why didn't Mary sue? She would've had every right to do so).

[marv2]

I mean maybe she didn't think it was worth it. Aretha Franklin also didn't sue [[though she threatened to) David Ritz for his book on her [[which is what he originally wanted to work with her on but she refused to delve into her personal life to anyone she thought was a stranger). Marvin Gaye's estate didn't sue for some of the fables told in the books on him [[in particularly how MG III was born). Some folks just decided lawsuits are not necessary. Even MARY and Florence's estate could've sued for what Tony Turner wrote about them [[and Tony wasn't particularly nice about Mary so why didn't Mary sue? She would've had every right to do so).

That's what I'm saying. Oh in regards to Mary not suing Tony. Didn't his book come out around the time her second book came out? Didn't she fire him? Wasn't it Berry Gordy that threaten to sue him which prevented him from releasing his 3rd book? Makes me wonder if Mary didn't have to get at him to make him leave "the scene" LOL! Any way. I don't like to, but I have sued people before. Sometimes they leave you no choice. Miss Ross, if she felt all these people lied on her in all of these books [[including those by Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Bettye LaVette and on and on and on....) she should have sued them to clear her name........that's if none of it were true.

[RanRan79]

That's what I'm saying. Oh in regards to Mary not suing Tony. Didn't his book come out around the time her second book came out? Didn't she fire him? Wasn't it Berry Gordy that threaten to sue him which prevented him from releasing his 3rd book? Makes me wonder if Mary didn't have to get at him to make him leave "the scene" LOL! Any way. I don't like to, but I have sued people before. Sometimes they leave you no choice. Miss Ross, if she felt all these people lied on her in all of these books [[including those by Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Bettye LaVette and on and on and on....) she should have sued them to clear her name........that's if none of it were true.

I actually like Diana's approach, which is the way most famous folks do it. Unless you claim something extraordinarily horrible, like Tony Turner did with his proposed third book claiming that Berry Gordy molested him as a youth, and of which Gordy promptly went into legal attack mode, as he should've [[assuming it was false), you let people say whatever they want and you pay them no mind. The things that have been claimed against Diana Ross have been nothing of the sort that should've made her run to her lawyers about anything. Only a few people like yourself who seem overly invested in the goings on in the life of a 75 year old woman who was in her twenties when most of the gossip usually takes place seem to really care about what is said about her. For everything a few people say negatively about her, she keeps pressing on. The proof is in the fruit that she bore, and that would be her children and grandchildren. If you wanna gauge the happiness of a woman of Diana's age, check out the relationship to the children. I've seen it in the women I know personally my whole life. The elderly women who were shitty mothers, you can tell. The good ones? You can tell that too. I suspect that as long Diana Ross has a family that love and respects her and doesn't care what anyone has to say about her, she give you and everyone else nothing as the books are written and the Soulful Detroit posts are created. Never underestimate the love of family. It will outweigh all even when the whole world is against you.

[3677danielr]

Diana said in a Larry King interview that her lawyers advised her that it was best not to sue because she would have to sit through long depositions and it would be time consuming but she regretted that she did not sue.

[jobeterob]

Randy updated Call Her Miss Ross, deleted what was questionable and turned it into the definitive Diana Ross book. - and it really was a work obviously admiring someone he was writing about

And of course he wrote many other books and is on Facebook

His writing was a notch above Mary’s and a light year above Mark Bego

[marv2]

Randy updated Call Her Miss Ross, deleted what was questionable and turned it into the definitive Diana Ross book. - and it really was a work obviously admiring someone he was writing about

And of course he wrote many other books and is on Facebook

His writing was a notch above Mary’s and a light year above Mark Bego

Mary sold much more books than he..........

[jobeterob]

Mary sold much more books than he..........

You obviously have no clue how many books he's written and on who. But then he doesn't write trash books.

[drlorne]

Interesting, last night at her Q&A portion of her show, she said she avoids gossip, focuses on being positive, meditates and loves her family. From what Andy and George have said about her feedback on the Expanded Editions, she’s always been pleased, and nice. It’s working for her.
She came across as very humble and sincere when she thanked the audience for attending. You could tell she loves what she does.

[vgalindo]

Wonder why you care and spend so much time focusing on a woman you dont care much about. You seem real obesessed with Diana Ross. Dont you have any kinda life outside of this here forum? Hmmmmm........... let me think about that for a moment! LOL!!!

Thank you Roberta. His obsession with Diana Ross is kinda scary and so sad! Lol

[Roberta75]

Thank you Roberta. His obsession with Diana Ross is kinda scary and so sad! Lol

In all seriousness im real glad Miss Ross got good security around her. Ya never know when folks are this obsessed. It only takes something to put them over the edge.

[luke]

JRTs book was loaded with footnotes and highly researched. He spent much of the introduction of the updated edition extending an olive branch to Mary Wilson and expressing his respect for her.

[midnightman]

JRTs book was loaded with footnotes and highly researched. He spent much of the introduction of the updated edition extending an olive branch to Mary Wilson and expressing his respect for her.

Randy is a huge Supremes fan or I reckon he is.

[jobeterob]

I actually like Diana's approach, which is the way most famous folks do it. Unless you claim something extraordinarily horrible, like Tony Turner did with his proposed third book claiming that Berry Gordy molested him as a youth, and of which Gordy promptly went into legal attack mode, as he should've [[assuming it was false), you let people say whatever they want and you pay them no mind. The things that have been claimed against Diana Ross have been nothing of the sort that should've made her run to her lawyers about anything. Only a few people like yourself who seem overly invested in the goings on in the life of a 75 year old woman who was in her twenties when most of the gossip usually takes place seem to really care about what is said about her. For everything a few people say negatively about her, she keeps pressing on. The proof is in the fruit that she bore, and that would be her children and grandchildren. If you wanna gauge the happiness of a woman of Diana's age, check out the relationship to the children. I've seen it in the women I know personally my whole life. The elderly women who were shitty mothers, you can tell. The good ones? You can tell that too. I suspect that as long Diana Ross has a family that love and respects her and doesn't care what anyone has to say about her, she give you and everyone else nothing as the books are written and the Soulful Detroit posts are created. Never underestimate the love of family. It will outweigh all even when the whole world is against you.

Smashingly good post Mr R

[midnightman]

That's what I'm saying. Oh in regards to Mary not suing Tony. Didn't his book come out around the time her second book came out? Didn't she fire him? Wasn't it Berry Gordy that threaten to sue him which prevented him from releasing his 3rd book? Makes me wonder if Mary didn't have to get at him to make him leave "the scene" LOL! Any way. I don't like to, but I have sued people before. Sometimes they leave you no choice. Miss Ross, if she felt all these people lied on her in all of these books [[including those by Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Bettye LaVette and on and on and on....) she should have sued them to clear her name........that's if none of it were true.

Not too many stars think of suing, most rather move on. It could state that what these people said was true or they might not bother because it's a private thing. Bettye LaVette also could've been sued for saying she and Aretha for instance smoked weed and drank liquor together and that Ted White was a pimp but either she shrugged it off or didn't know. You just never know how celebrities, especially ones who rise to the top, feel when a lot of stuff is said about them, true or not.

[midnightman]

I actually like Diana's approach, which is the way most famous folks do it. Unless you claim something extraordinarily horrible, like Tony Turner did with his proposed third book claiming that Berry Gordy molested him as a youth, and of which Gordy promptly went into legal attack mode, as he should've [[assuming it was false), you let people say whatever they want and you pay them no mind. The things that have been claimed against Diana Ross have been nothing of the sort that should've made her run to her lawyers about anything. Only a few people like yourself who seem overly invested in the goings on in the life of a 75 year old woman who was in her twenties when most of the gossip usually takes place seem to really care about what is said about her. For everything a few people say negatively about her, she keeps pressing on. The proof is in the fruit that she bore, and that would be her children and grandchildren. If you wanna gauge the happiness of a woman of Diana's age, check out the relationship to the children. I've seen it in the women I know personally my whole life. The elderly women who were shitty mothers, you can tell. The good ones? You can tell that too. I suspect that as long Diana Ross has a family that love and respects her and doesn't care what anyone has to say about her, she give you and everyone else nothing as the books are written and the Soulful Detroit posts are created. Never underestimate the love of family. It will outweigh all even when the whole world is against you.

Tony also claimed Marvin Gaye was, well, gay, as well as Eddie Kendricks. He has NO credibility.

[captainjames]

Interesting interview but I like Randy. However, I am always suspicious when there are only two people involved like his story about Michael and Diana sitting on the couch talking and Diana leaves for a moment to find Michael at her makeup mirror. I would love to know who told him that story........... Michael or Diana since they were the only two in the room. I read things like this when there are only two or sometimes just one individual present but obviously someone is able to write about because there was a GHOST in the room.

[RanRan79]

Interesting interview but I like Randy. However, I am always suspicious when there are only two people involved like his story about Michael and Diana sitting on the couch talking and Diana leaves for a moment to find Michael at her makeup mirror. I would love to know who told him that story........... Michael or Diana since they were the only two in the room. I read things like this when there are only two or sometimes just one individual present but obviously someone is able to write about because there was a GHOST in the room.

It would probably be hearsay. JRandyT would just assert that a source told him that Diana told the source what happened. Let's say the story is real. I can imagine Diana maybe having to tell somebody what she walked in on. She may have thought that story was too wild to sit on, even for her.

[3677danielr]

Cindy Birdsong may have told him the story. According to the book Diana shared the story with her.

[Albator]

Tony also claimed Marvin Gaye was, well, gay, as well as Eddie Kendricks. He has NO credibility.

Quincy Jones did the same

[captainjames]

My first observation from the Turner book after reading it and then trashing it was "Why are there no pictures of him and Flo" ? Surly, they had cameras back then right ? I could have wrote the same book and talked about meeting Flo and then Diana and then Mary. The whole thing was odd and felt dirty.

[Roberta75]

My first observation from the Turner book after reading it and then trashing it was "Why are there no pictures of him and Flo" ? Surly, they had cameras back then right ? I could have wrote the same book and talked about meeting Flo and then Diana and then Mary. The whole thing was odd and felt dirty.

BAM Captain. Bam. Not ONE single photo that struck me as real odd as well. That said Tony Turners a liar and a fraud but his books were real funny and made me LOL cause I know 90% of what he wrote was fake. LOL

[JohnnyB]

Captainjames, thank you for mentioning that one point! I have asked myself countless times why Flo’s confidant, biggest supporter, hero and almost-like-family friend NEVER seems to have taken a moment to pose with her for a photo...

[midnightman]

Quincy Jones did the same

Yeah. In regards to Marvin. That was lowdown outing him since he is not here to refute it. Being an uber famous celebrity is scary because your whole life becomes an open book.

[midnightman]

Exactly. These folks would spend a lot of money in legal fees fighting every single thing alleged about them, and they mostly wouldn't be able to prove that someone is lying. Could you imagine Diana trying to prove that something is a lie from 1965? Nearly impossible. It's usually one person's word against another.

Exactly. It's a waste of money. Suing for hearsay is never good.

[midnightman]

It would probably be hearsay. JRandyT would just assert that a source told him that Diana told the source what happened. Let's say the story is real. I can imagine Diana maybe having to tell somebody what she walked in on. She may have thought that story was too wild to sit on, even for her.

That is wild though. Imagine a 11 year old kid in your house wearing your clothes and imitating you and he's an artist on your label. Talk about "Wacko".

[Laurent]

We all know that those biographies contain stories that are not always factual. It is really the question of the credit can we give to an interview given by someone involved: the story is always distorted by the interviewed person and its own interests. But how to know how distorted it is? To know who close to the subject the interviewed person is, and his sides [[real friend or rival…) of course helps but that information is usually hard to get [[and when the sources are mentioned, they are at the end of the book… well, it’s really not practical to go back and forth while reading…)
As Captainjames rightly points out, related stories involving only two persons whom which we know none of them would tell about it to a journalist are necessarily a recreation that most probably comes from a third party. And Taraborrelli’s biographies are full of that [[or, does he have the ability to transform into a fly? - oh! that’s only in Harry Potter only – sorry).

Most of us here know how the read between the lines, and it’s also the reason why I wrote in a former website I created on Diana Ross, about Taraborrelli’s “Call Her Miss Ross”, that it made me love her more [[probably because it depicted Diana Ross in a more human way than only an ultimate Goddess – or maybe just because I didn’t believe everything I read - lol). But some things I read or hear in interviews still get me on my nerves, I can’t help it!
It’s also one of the main reasons I created a factual Timeline about Diana’s career that can help to put some perspective to some stories and to correct the too numerous inaccuracies that we can found in those books [[and alas also in the booklet of the expanded edition).
http://dianarosssupremes.free.fr/
Laurent
[[RanRan79; love your post on Diana’s approach, I couldn’t have say it better)

[sup_fan]

let's also look at the time period in which CHMR was written. in the 80s, the style of celebrity writing was tabloid-ish. sensational revelations were the hit thing. Supposedly the ghost writers and publishers encouraged Mary to amp things up too. "tell alls" and intimate secrets sold not only books but magazine and tabloid newspapers.

While some of this is still around today [[TMZ anyone?) it appears as though the biographies being written are toning things down somewhat. in 1987 the word "diva" was sort of new and almost offensive. Nowadays, anyone can be a diva.

I believe that's why Randy opted to released the latest Diana biography which is MUCH more even handed with the material.

[midnightman]

Yeah Randy's revised bio on Diana got rid of the tabloid stories.

[bradsupremes]

Randy is a great guy and his revised Diana Ross biography from 2007 really is the definitive biography on her. He’s been involved with all the expanded editions and he is one of the authority voices on the Supremes/Ross history. He also has written some incredible books on the Kennedys.

[Bluebrock]

Randy is a great guy and his revised Diana Ross biography from 2007 really is the definitive biography on her. He’s been involved with all the expanded editions and he is one of the authority voices on the Supremes/Ross history. He also has written some incredible books on the Kennedys.

Yes he is a nice enough guy.I have not always seen eye to eye with him on everything, but for the most part he is thoroughly decent guy. I enjoyed his books on Marilyn and Sinatra amongst others. He has a real flair to his writing and is not afraid to admit to previous mistakes.

[PeaceNHarmony]

Yes he is a nice enough guy.I have not always seen eye to eye with him on everything, but for the most part he is thoroughly decent guy. I enjoyed his books on Marilyn and Sinatra amongst others. He has a real flair to his writing and is not afraid to admit to previous mistakes.

I had a brief e-mail exchange with Randy when he was between books and I was impressed with him. I think he truly regrets CMMR and has worked to redeem himself as a popular, but serious, biographer.

[marv2]

I think Joan and Randy T. were a bit strong in stating that no one liked Diana Ross. Just because they audience was frowning doesn't mean they did not like Ross, right?

[sup_fan]

some of his early books are great too - his first DR biography and motown: hot wax, cool city, solid gold

[marv2]

I think it was rather sad and embarrassing that Randy T. would reveal on television how jealous Diana Ross was of Whitney Houston. I mean, she had like a 20 year head start on Whitney and was old enough to be Whitney's mom.

[J. Randy Taraborrelli]

Just wanted to pop in and thank you folks for some of the nice comments here. What I've learned is that if you're in the public eye and you're around long enough, eventually your old TV appearances will pop up to mortify you over and over and over again.

What can I say about that Joan Rivers appearance? I remember it well; it was my first national TV show and, boy... what a day. I remember sitting in the make up room getting a nice varnishing on my face of what seemed like all the amber waves of grain rolled into one coat of paint when Joan walked in. "First time on TV, kid," she said. "Nervous?" she asked me. I scoffed. Me? Nervous? That'll be the day, I thought. "Heck, no," I told her, full of confidence. "I'm just gonna be myself." She looked aghast. "Oh my dear," she said, shaking her head. "You will have to be SO MUCH MORE that just yourself!" Okay... I thought, NOW I'm nervous.

So much craziness happened that day. My friends know all the stories; one day I'll write about them, maybe.

Indeed, what can I say about this show and all of the others relating to Call Her Miss Ross? I was barely 30... dumb in so many ways... giving it my best shot... hoping to not look like an idiot... you know... a heady experience and pretty much what you'd expect for a guy who, prior to this time, could barely afford to eat spaghetti and Ragu with his best friend, George Solomon [[and, believe me, for the two of us, that was a big night; we probably had a collective fifty cents to our names.)

Call Her Miss Ross holds an assortment of bittersweet memories for me. My first New York Times best seller, it's still my most popular title even though it's been out of print for something like 25 years. [[It's that cover! What a cover!) I've had 14 New York Times best sellers since that one, but none can compare to the impact CHMR had on me, my audience [[and on Miss Ross, too, I dare say.) I've had dozens of opportunities to re-issue that book over the years - as recently as last year, actually - but have always declined. Why? Because as someone here so wisely opined, it was of a very specific time and place back in the 1980s, and it will always belong there, frozen for all eternity. Yes, I admit, I do cringe when I read a lot of it. I had always wanted a re-do. And I had that opportunity 12 years ago when I wrote a third Diana biography and was able to clean up all the ... well... naivete, I guess [[trying to be kind to myself here)... of CHMR. That said, I'm still proud of CHMR; a lot of people over the years have said it made them love Diana more, not less. My friends and family know how I feel about her and about all of the Supremes. Of course they do, and I think my readers do, as well.

It's been many years now since I have had the chance to write about any of my childhood heroes, and I really miss those days. I look at this wide-eyed youngster on this video and I think, kid... you don't have a freakin' clue, do you? You don't know a thing about life... about love... about how complicated relationships are...about anything actually. But I know you're doing the best you can with what you have to work with - just maybe don't smile so much when telling these terrible stories, alright? :-)

So, yeah... 30 years later, when these things pop up out of nowhere, I have to smile and acknowledge the incredible journey I've had. YouTube keeps you humble, that's for sure, but also grateful.

Thank you for posting this little slice of my history and reminding me of what was then... and what's now. Also, I want to thank you guys - any of you who have supported me since I was a kid and watched me grow up with the passing of one decade after another... after another. I think after all this time, you know my heart. For sure, I know yours, too. And as for Miss Ross and all of the Supremes. How lucky have we been?! How truly LUCKY have we been to have been able to live in this world ... with them?

[Bluebrock]

Just wanted to pop in and thank you folks for some of the nice comments here. What I've learned is that if you're in the public eye and you're around long enough, eventually your old TV appearances will pop up to mortify you over and over and over again.

What can I say about that Joan Rivers appearance? I remember it well; it was my first national TV show and, boy... what a day. I remember sitting in the make up room getting a nice varnishing on my face of what seemed like all the amber waves of grain rolled into one coat of paint when Joan walked in. "First time on TV, kid," she said. "Nervous?" she asked me. I scoffed. Me? Nervous? That'll be the day, I thought. "Heck, no," I told her, full of confidence. "I'm just gonna be myself." She looked aghast. "Oh my dear," she said, shaking her head. "You will have to be SO MUCH MORE that just yourself!" Okay... I thought, NOW I'm nervous.

So much craziness happened that day. My friends know all the stories; one day I'll write about them, maybe.

Indeed, what can I say about this show and all of the others relating to Call Her Miss Ross? I was barely 30... dumb in so many ways... giving it my best shot... hoping to not look like an idiot... you know... a heady experience and pretty much what you'd expect for a guy who, prior to this time, could barely afford to eat spaghetti and Ragu with his best friend, George Solomon [[and, believe me, for the two of us, that was a big night; we probably had a collective fifty cents to our names.)

Call Her Miss Ross holds an assortment of bittersweet memories for me. My first New York Times best seller, it's still my most popular title even though it's been out of print for something like 25 years. [[It's that cover! What a cover!) I've had 14 New York Times best sellers since that one, but none can compare to the impact CHMR had on me, my audience [[and on Miss Ross, too, I dare say.) I've had dozens of opportunities to re-issue that book over the years - as recently as last year, actually - but have always declined. Why? Because as someone here so wisely opined, it was of a very specific time and place back in the 1980s, and it will always belong there, frozen for all eternity. Yes, I admit, I do cringe when I read a lot of it. I had always wanted a re-do. And I had that opportunity 12 years ago when I wrote a third Diana biography and was able to clean up all the ... well... naivete, I guess [[trying to be kind to myself here)... of CHMR. That said, I'm still proud of CHMR; a lot of people over the years have said it made them love Diana more, not less. My friends and family know how I feel about her and about all of the Supremes. Of course they do, and I think my readers do, as well.

It's been many years now since I have had the chance to write about any of my childhood heroes, and I really miss those days. I look at this wide-eyed youngster on this video and I think, kid... you don't have a freakin' clue, do you? You don't know a thing about life... about love... about how complicated relationships are...about anything actually. But I know you're doing the best you can with what you have to work with - just maybe don't smile so much when telling these terrible stories, alright? :-)

So, yeah... 30 years later, when these things pop up out of nowhere, I have to smile and acknowledge the incredible journey I've had. YouTube keeps you humble, that's for sure, but also grateful.

Thank you for posting this little slice of my history and reminding me of what was then... and what's now. Also, I want to thank you guys - any of you who have supported me since I was a kid and watched me grow up with the passing of one decade after another... after another. I think after all this time, you know my heart. For sure, I know yours, too. And as for Miss Ross and all of the Supremes. How lucky have we been?! How truly LUCKY have we been to have been able to live in this world ... with them?

Glad to see you have joined the forum. It is good that you will be able to see first hand some of the comments about Ms Ross. As you can see there is one particular member who is very vocal in his hatred for Diana. Maybe he will draw his horns in a little now he knows you are watching.
Enjoy the forum!

[PeaceNHarmony]

Just wanted to pop in and thank you folks for some of the nice comments here. What I've learned is that if you're in the public eye and you're around long enough, eventually your old TV appearances will pop up to mortify you over and over and over again.

What can I say about that Joan Rivers appearance? I remember it well; it was my first national TV show and, boy... what a day. I remember sitting in the make up room getting a nice varnishing on my face of what seemed like all the amber waves of grain rolled into one coat of paint when Joan walked in. "First time on TV, kid," she said. "Nervous?" she asked me. I scoffed. Me? Nervous? That'll be the day, I thought. "Heck, no," I told her, full of confidence. "I'm just gonna be myself." She looked aghast. "Oh my dear," she said, shaking her head. "You will have to be SO MUCH MORE that just yourself!" Okay... I thought, NOW I'm nervous.

So much craziness happened that day. My friends know all the stories; one day I'll write about them, maybe.

Indeed, what can I say about this show and all of the others relating to Call Her Miss Ross? I was barely 30... dumb in so many ways... giving it my best shot... hoping to not look like an idiot... you know... a heady experience and pretty much what you'd expect for a guy who, prior to this time, could barely afford to eat spaghetti and Ragu with his best friend, George Solomon [[and, believe me, for the two of us, that was a big night; we probably had a collective fifty cents to our names.)

Call Her Miss Ross holds an assortment of bittersweet memories for me. My first New York Times best seller, it's still my most popular title even though it's been out of print for something like 25 years. [[It's that cover! What a cover!) I've had 14 New York Times best sellers since that one, but none can compare to the impact CHMR had on me, my audience [[and on Miss Ross, too, I dare say.) I've had dozens of opportunities to re-issue that book over the years - as recently as last year, actually - but have always declined. Why? Because as someone here so wisely opined, it was of a very specific time and place back in the 1980s, and it will always belong there, frozen for all eternity. Yes, I admit, I do cringe when I read a lot of it. I had always wanted a re-do. And I had that opportunity 12 years ago when I wrote a third Diana biography and was able to clean up all the ... well... naivete, I guess [[trying to be kind to myself here)... of CHMR. That said, I'm still proud of CHMR; a lot of people over the years have said it made them love Diana more, not less. My friends and family know how I feel about her and about all of the Supremes. Of course they do, and I think my readers do, as well.

It's been many years now since I have had the chance to write about any of my childhood heroes, and I really miss those days. I look at this wide-eyed youngster on this video and I think, kid... you don't have a freakin' clue, do you? You don't know a thing about life... about love... about how complicated relationships are...about anything actually. But I know you're doing the best you can with what you have to work with - just maybe don't smile so much when telling these terrible stories, alright? :-)

So, yeah... 30 years later, when these things pop up out of nowhere, I have to smile and acknowledge the incredible journey I've had. YouTube keeps you humble, that's for sure, but also grateful.

Thank you for posting this little slice of my history and reminding me of what was then... and what's now. Also, I want to thank you guys - any of you who have supported me since I was a kid and watched me grow up with the passing of one decade after another... after another. I think after all this time, you know my heart. For sure, I know yours, too. And as for Miss Ross and all of the Supremes. How lucky have we been?! How truly LUCKY have we been to have been able to live in this world ... with them?

Hi Randy, and welcome. I'll pass on your mortifying appearance and start anew! As you may have seen there are several [[!) level-headed posters here who will welcome your information. And yes, what a wonderful world it has been to have witnessed the Supremes and to remain witnessing the once-in-a-lifetime Diana Ross. I wish you well and look forward to your biographies.

[marv2]

One of the most telling stories that came out of this interview was about that Las Vegas security guard that helped Miss Ross only to be refused help from her when he needed it. Kind of reminds of that time back in her Supremes days when she collapsed on stage in Boston from exhaustion and Florence took care of her and made sure Mr. Gordy cancelled the remaining shows so that Ross could be hospitalized.

When Florence became ill, Miss Ross exclaimed "Oh she is not sick, lazy is more like it". Sad because Florence really was sick.