The Boss, Diana Ross, Is Surprise Guest At Las Vegas Raiders Party
Diana Ross is still Supreme, and she is showing no signs of slowing down. Saturday night in Canton Ohio, The Las Vegas Raiders turned it upside-down, inside-out, and heard a…
R&B singer Diana Ross was a member of the 1960s group The Supremes, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. Their hits include “Stop! In the Name of Love” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.” One of her children, Tracee Ellis Ross, has become a well-known, Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated actress, currently starring in the ABC comedy series “Black-ish.” She and her mother are reportedly close and even play tennis together.
Emma McIntyre/Getty ImagesDiana Ross is still Supreme, and she is showing no signs of slowing down. Saturday night in Canton Ohio, The Las Vegas Raiders turned it upside-down, inside-out, and heard a symphony for Cliff Branch.
Diana Ross was the surprise superstar headliner at the team’s party honoring Cliff Branch at Quarry Gold Club. Her performance topped off the team’s Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend honoring the late, great receiver.
Why Diana Ross? Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis said Cliff Branch was a big fan of hers. Davis didn't say how much Ross was paid for the appearance. “What happens in the Raiders locker room, stays in the Raiders locker room.” But Diana Ross does not work cheap. Industry standard for a Diana Ross appearance would be between $1 million to $1.2 million!
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.” Ross sang live to recorded tracks with a pair of backing singers.
I was lucky enough to see Diana Ross again live (I saw her 20 years prior) about four years ago, at The Wynn Resort, and she did not disappoint! Her voice and presence are as big as they ever were, She still sounds amazing, belting out all of those Supremes classics, her solo hits, and everything in between.
Diana Ross still embraces everything about her early days growing up in "The Brewster Projects" in Detroit, her early Motown years with Berry Gordy and company, all the while being one of the most beautiful, original divas.
Diana Ross is definitely still "The Boss!" If you ever have the chance to see her - stop in the name of love, and do it!
-Carla Rea
Lamont Dozier: 15 Songs He Co-Wrote That Everyone Knows
Detroit didn’t just put the world on wheels; it also made the world head to the dance floor thanks to Motown Records. Many of those hits that made the world dance were written by the songwriting trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland.
Made up of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland, Holland-Dozier-Holland were paired together by Motown founder Berry Gordy in 1963. Over the course of five years, the amount of hits they wrote is almost obscene.
For The Supremes alone, Holland-Dozier-Holland wrote nine #1 hits. The songwriting trio also penned massive hits for The Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye and more.
Dozier died yesterday (August 8) at age 81. In tribute, here are 15 songs written by Holland-Dozier-Holland everyone knows.
Martha and the Vandellas - 'Heat Wave'
"Heat Wave" peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Linda Ronstadt would cover the track in 1975. Her cover would peak on the Billboard Hot 100 at #5.
Marvin Gaye - 'Can I Get a Witness'
"Can I Get a Witness" was Gaye's third top 40 hit in his career.
The Supremes - 'Where Did Our Love Go'
"Where Did Our Love Go" was the Supremes' first #1 hit to top the Billboard Hot 100.
The Four Tops - 'Baby I Need Your Loving'
"Baby I Need Your Loving" was the Four Tops' first single. It would peak at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Supremes - 'Baby Love'
"Baby Love" was the Supremes' second #1 hit in their legendary career.
Marvin Gaye - 'How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)'
"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. It would go on to be covered by James Taylor in 1975.
The Supremes - 'Come See About Me'
"Come See About Me" was The Supremes' third consecutive #1 hit.
Martha and the Vandellas - 'Nowhere to Run'
"Nowhere to Run" would peak at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Supremes - 'Stop! in the Name of Love'
"Stop! in the Name of Love" was The Supremes' fourth consecutive #1 hit.
The Four Tops - 'I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)'
"I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" gave The Four Tops their first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Supremes - 'I Hear a Symphony'
"I Hear a Symphony" was the Supremes' sixth #1 hit to top the Billboard Hot 100.
The Isley Brothers - 'This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)'
A top 20 hit for The Isley Brothers, "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" would later be covered by Rod Stewart in 1975. Stewart would re-record the track with Ronald Isley in 1989 and release it as a single. The track hit #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Supremes - 'You Can't Hurry Love'
"You Can't Hurry Love" gave The Supremes their seventh #1 hit single.
The Four Tops - 'Reach Out I'll Be There'
"Reach Out I'll Be There" also hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The classic track would later be covered by Diana Ross, Gloria Gaynor and Michael Bolton.
The Supremes - 'You Keep Me Hangin' On'
"You Keep Me Hangin' On" was the Supremes' eighth #1 hit single. It would go on to be a hit two more times. Vanilla Fudge released their cover in 1967, and Kim Wilde would release her cover in 1986.
