By John Katsilometes Las Vegas Review-Journal
August 6, 2022 - 8:25 pm



The Raiders turned it upside-down, and inside-out, for Cliff Branch on Saturday night in Canton, Ohio.

Diana Ross was the surprise superstar headliner at the team’s party honoring Branch at Quarry Gold Club. Ross’s performance capped the team’s boffo Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend honoring the late, great receiver.

Ross sang a medley of “I’m Coming Out,” “My World is Empty Without You,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Stop! In The Name of Love,” “Upside Down” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” her cover of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and an encore of “Thank You.”

Singing live to recorded tracks with a pair of backing singers, Ross halted “The Theme From Mahogany” in favor of “Ain’t No Mountain High.”

Ross performed for about 40 minutes for the 400 or so invited VIPs. Marcus Allen, Fred Biletnikoff, Tim Brown, Jim Plunkett, Charles Woodson, Lester Hayes, Ted Hendricks, Art Shell, Mike Haynes, Ron Mix, Dave Casper and Raymond Chester were some of the Raider alumi on the scene.

The recording legend was decked out in a red gown and silver belt, often cooling herself with a matching fan for the high humidity in the outdoor venue.

Raiders owner Mark Davis said Branch was a big fan of Ross. “We saw Diana perform several times together in Vegas,” the owner said a couple of hours before Ross took the stage.

The owner declined to say how much Ross commanded for the appearance. “What happens in the Raiders locker room, stays in the Raiders locker room.” But industry standard for a Ross appearance at such an event would be between $1 million to $1.2 million.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/entert...party-2619306/

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