Diana Ross - An Appreciation
Tomorrow Diana Ross will debut on the Billboard album chart with her 41st solo charted album in the US titled I Love You. While it is by all accounts not her best effort, the release of the new album does bring to mind her phenomenal career as a pop/r&b artist.
As a member of Motown girl group the Supremes, Diana Ross appeared on 12 #1 pop hit singles. After leaving the Supremes in 1969, she appeared more than 25 additional times in the pop top 40 as a solo artist, 6 of those #1 hits. She is one of the very few artists to release successful albums using her first and last names as one-word titles. Diana Ross was a female pop pioneer, and it took other stars such as Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston decades to catch up.
Some of my favorite moments from Diana Ross' illustrious career:
- Diana Ross' farewell performance with the Supremes of "Someday We'll Be Together" - Watch Video
- The wistful #1 hit "Theme From Mahogany" - Watch Video
- Diana Ross' return to the top of the charts with soul disco on "Upside Down" - Watch Video
- The touching tribute after the shocking death of Marvin Gaye on "Missing You" - Watch Video
Album cover © Motown
Comments
Thank you for the article on a pop legend. 5 decades in the recording business. While she has had her share of problems in the media over the past few years, she has maintained her dignity and still has the “pipes” to carry off the songs on her latest album. While some say Aretha Franklin is the queen of soul, I’d have to give that title to Diana Ross. Glad to see she is back.
Diana Ross has been greatly missed. Her musicality, and powerfully graceful presence is still in full effect. The burnish of her voice has deepened and is displayed beautifully on her new I Love You CD; Especially on the song What About Love (from The Color Purple musical), Right now, her sensual take on I Want You and The Look of Love are on my personal morning playlist, along with the peppy More Today Than Yesterday. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait years for her next CD release.
so now Diana Ross has a new album out!! that’s pretty cool!!
I grew up listening to her music, both solo music and the stuff she did with the Supremes!
As always, I purchase all new releases from Diana Ross and so far, including the newest and I have never been disappointed. My favorite on her newest CD is her new release, “I Love You.” This song is worthy of Ms. Ross. I thank all of you for the kind words that have precceded mine.
I love, Diana Ross’ “I Love You” CD. It proves that you can’t keep a good Diva down. It is also safe to say that after debuting at #32, with a bullet on the Billboard Hot 200 chart, “I Love You” is a hit CD. I hope more people will discover this gem of a project.
Bravura, La Diva!! God Bless You, Diana and thanks for spending the last 5 decades in our hearts! You’ve been missed.
It’s December 23, 2009. So where is her next album. We’ve waited too long. Maybe in 2010 there will be a surprise.