Originally Posted by
RanRan79
I don't think so Ollie. I once opined that Tammi would've been the perfect replacement for Diana in the Supremes had she not been ill. I still believe that to be true. She possessed all those qualities you listed. However, in the event Diana had decided enough was enough, become disillusioned and moved into the next phase of her life, leaving music behind, I don't think Tammi would've gotten that attention for two reasons.
First reason being, after all the work Gordy put into molding Diana and placing her in position to keep moving up in the world of entertainment, to suddenly have her quit would've disillusioned him. I know a lot of people buy into the story that Gordy always had his eyes on moving into the big time clubs, the Vegas crowd, the superstar that transcends all. I don't buy it. I don't think he really thought that far ahead until he realized what Diana, and by extension, the Supremes could do. I know some have said he looked at doing that for Mary Wells, but where's the evidence? I think Ross' talent lit a spark in Gordy that caused his dream to soar beyond records that crossover. So having that dream suddenly evaporate, I think Gordy would've thrown himself back into the actual business of making records. It would've been like having a long lasting love affair that becomes your everything, and then one day having your significant other walk out the door, giving you the finger. People have killed themselves for less, so you can imagine how devastating something like that could've been. I don't think he would've had the heart and energy to begin to mold anyone else, at least not for many years. Maybe he would've turned that attention to Michael Jackson in the wake of Diana leaving, since that would be the easiest avenue for his dreams, plus he was a kid, and on top of that a male, so it would've been different. But that's best case scenario. I really think Gordy would've just stuck to records.
The other reason is Tammi's "off the field" life. We all know Gordy had his hands full for years with Diana and some of the wild shit she got herself into. Tammi was supposedly 10 times as worse. Factor in that she somehow always seemed to end up with volatile men who didn't hesitate to physically abuse her, and that's a whole lot of drama that Gordy would have to attempt to control. Remember, Gordy came into Diana's life when she was about 16. He took an early interest in her, encouraged her, made sure she knew that he believed in her talent, which was something Diana never felt that her own father was ever willing to do. So there was a fatherly complex that was present in their relationship from the very beginning. By 1970 Tammi was what, 24, 25? Gordy could've certainly have taken on a role of mentor in her life, but I doubt he would've ever been able to control her [[sexual relationship or not, because there was also that element of Gordy's "control" in regards to Diana) the way that he did Diana. Gordy couldn't risk his #1 star ending up in the tabloids or being photographed with black eyes and bruises.
So my answer no, Tammi would not have been the lady Gordy put all his money on.
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