Diana Ross

Singer and Actress Diana Ross

Profession: Singer and Actress

Nationality:
United States of America
American

Biography: Diana Ross rose to fame as the lead singer of The Supremes, Mototown's most successful act, and one of the most successful female groups ever.

Introduced to Motown by her neighborhood friend Smokey Robinson, Ross was one part of a teenage group called the Primettes along with Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Betty McGlown. Initially considered too young they were signed in 1961 as The Supremes by Berry Gordy, with whom she later had a relationship.

The group had their first hit in 1963 and their 1st no.1 in 1964 with "Where Did Our Love Go". The group produced a record 12 no.1 hits and became international stars.

In 1968 the group was re-titled Diana Ross and the Supremes. Ross eventually left the group in 1970 to begin a very successful solo career, with such hits as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "I'm Coming Out".

Ross also began a film career starring as Billie Holiday in "Lady Sings the Blues" (1972) before taking other roles.

Ross is the recipient of numerous awards; in 1976 Billboard named her the 'Female Entertainer of the Century'. In 2012 she was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 by President Barack Obama.

Born: March 26, 1944
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Age: 80 years old

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Aries

Married Life

  • 1986-02-01 American pop snger Diana Ross weds Norwegian businessman Arne Naess in Switzerland

Historical Events

  • 1961-01-15 Berry Gordy signs The Supremes to Motown Records
  • 1961-03-09 The Supremes release singles "I Want a Guy" and "Never Again"
  • 1964-09-17 Motown Records releases The Supremes' single "Baby Love"; written and produced by the Holland-Dozier-Holland team, it becomes their second consecutive #1 record
  • 1964-12-27 1st appearance of The Supremes on "The Ed Sullivan Show", singing "Come See About Me"
  • 1965-02-08 Motown Records release The Supremes' single "Stop In the Name of Love"
  • 1965-10-06 The Supremes release single "I Hear a Symphony"
  • 1965-10-10 The Supremes appear on the "The Ed Sullivan Show"
  • 1965-12-17 1st concert event at Houston Astrodome: Judy Garland headlines, with The Supremes as opening act
  • 1965-12-29 The Supremes release single "My World is Empty Without You"
  • 1966-07-25 The Supremes release single "You Can't Hurry Love"
  • 1967-03-20 The Supremes release single "The Happening"
  • 1968-09-30 The Supremes release single "Love Child"
  • 1968-11-21 The Supremes & The Temptations release "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
  • 1969-01-06 The Supremes release single "I'm Livin' In Shame"
  • 1969-10-09 The Supremes release single "Someday We'll Be Together", Diana Ross' last recording with the group
  • 1969-12-21 Diana Ross' final TV appearance as a Supreme on "The Ed Sullivan Show", performing “Someday We’ll Be Together", after which Sullivan announced her upcoming departure from the group
  • 1972-10-12 Paramount Pictures and Motown Productions release film "Lady Sings the Blues", very loosely based on singer Billie Holiday's autobiography, starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams
  • 1981-08-01 "Endless Love" single released by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie (Billboard Song of the Year 1981, Billboard Greatest Song Duet of All-Time)
  • 1983-03-25 Motown 25, a concert celebrating the anniversary of Motown records is taped for broadcast at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California; performers include: The Miracles; The Temptations; The Four Tops; Diana Ross and the Supremes; The Jackson 5; and Michael Jackson, who unveils his "moonwalk" dance move
  • 1983-05-16 NBC broadcasts "Motown 25", a concert celebrating the anniversary of Motown Record held in Pasadena, California in March; performers include: The Miracles; The Temptations; The Four Tops; Diana Ross and the Supremes; The Jackson 5; and Michael Jackson, who unveils his "moonwalk" dance move
  • 1983-07-21 Thunder storm cuts short Diana Ross' free concert in Central Park, NYC
  • 1988-01-20 3rd Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: The Beach Boys; The Beatles; The Drifters; Bob Dylan; The Supremes; Woody Guthrie; Leadbelly; Les Paul; and Berry Gordy, Jr.
  • 1996-04-12 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Don Henley, Diana Ross, Robin Williams, Branford Marsalis, and Kenny Kirkland