Diana Earnestine Earle Ross was born in Detroit in 1944. Known for a breakthrough musical career as lead singer of the Supremes, which in the 1960s was the group that helped Motown Records, a black owned business, gain strength and success. It’s important to remember that The Supremes rivaled the Beatles for global popularity before Civil Rights in the United States. Diana Ross and the Supremes helped pave the way for future Black artists.
Born to a school teacher mother and Army dad, Diana’s early life was busy with school. At the age of 8, the family moved to the Brewster Douglas housing projects and young Diana was ready for the world. Diana graduated High School one semester early, attending a magnet school in Detroit, was part of the swim team, had many extra curricular activities, and also held a part time job.
Once signed to Motown, it took 2 years of hard work and practice, but it took a long time before a hit came. Diana finally broke through in the charts with “Where Did Our Love Go” and then the rest is history. Diana Ross is one of the most iconic performers in history, with incredible international success. What took a little longer was to be recognized with a Grammy, her first and only given in 2012 for Lifetime Achievement Award.
In between came:
2 songs Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 1 star Hollywood Blvd, 1 inauguration into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1 Central Park Playground named after her, 22 solo albums, 33 albums with The Supremes, 5 movies, 100 Million Records sold, Billboard Magazine “Female Entertainer of the Century”, 1 Golden Globe and 1 Oscar Nomination for “Lady Sings the Blues”, 1 Broadway play, 1 performance at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, and a Kennedy Center Awards held at the White House for Career Achievements
With tours in 2010 and 2013, bringing her to the age of 69 and continuing to work, you show us how beautiful perseverance can be.