Biography
Pop superstar Diana Ross graduated from lead singer of the most famous girl group in showbiz (The Supremes) to a solo act combining coy, feline sexuality with slick packaging. Despite obvious acting skills, however, movie stardom has eluded her thus far. She grew up in the Detroit projects, one of five children. By her late teens, she was singing in a quintet, The Primettes (distaff version of The Primes, a Motown group). In 1961, the group …
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Career Milestones
1959 | Began singing with The Primettes, a quintette in Detroit (date approxiamte) |
1960 | Two Primettes left group, and Ross continued singing with remaining two, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard |
1961 | Trio is renamed The Supremes and signed by Motown's Berry Gordy Jr. |
1964 | "Where Did Our Love Go" by The Supremes went to Number 1 on the record charts in August |
1964 | The Supremes made their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Christmas Eve |
1965 | First film appearance, with The Supremes singing two songs, including title song, in "Beach Ball" |
1965 | The Supremes appeared at The Copacabana in July |
1967 | "Love is Here and Now You're Gone", last single featuring Florence Ballard as group member, released in the spring |
1967 | Group became Diana Ross and the Supremes in the fall |
1968 | TV acting debut in guest appearance on "Tarzan"; Diana Ross and the Supremes portrayed nuns |
1969 | Made final TV appearance with the Supremes on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on December 21 |
1970 | First solo hit, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" |
1970 | Made final public appearance with the Supremes at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas on January 14 |
1971 | Performed in first hour-long TV special, "Diana", for NBC |
1972 | Made feature film acting debut in "Lady Sings the Blues", as Billie Holliday |
1976 | Death of Florence Ballard from a heart attack on February 21 |
1981 | Left Motown and signed with RCA and EMI/Capitol |
1982 | Reunited with The Supremes for NBC special honoring Motown's 25-year history |
1983 | Central Park charity concert outing scheduled for July rained out by major torrent while in performance |
1984 | Mary Wilson's autobiography, "Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme", published |
1987 | TV producing debut, the special "Diana Ross . . . Red Hot Rhythm and Blues" |
1992 | Was played by actress Holly Robinson on the TV miniseries, "The Jacksons: An American Dream" |
1994 | Made dramatic TV-movie debut, "Out of Darkness"; also executive produced |
1994 | Received the French Commander of Arts and Letters medal; France's highest arts award |
1999 | Co-starred with Brandy in the ABC TV-movie "Double Platinum" |
2000 | Headlined a concert tour with the Supremes; original group members Florence Birdsong and Mary Wilson did not participate; tour cancelled after performances in 12 cities |
2002 | Checked into Promises, a rehab center in Malibu before embarking on a summer tour; three months later cancelled tour altogether |
2006 | "Blue" a never issued album recorded in 1972, was released (June) after its discovery in the Motown vault |
Awards
1972 | Academy Award for Actress in Lady Sings the Blues |
1972 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama in Lady Sings the Blues |
1972 | Golden Globe Award for New Star Of The Year - Actress |
1973 | BAFTA Award for Actress in Lady Sings the Blues |
1977 | Tony Award for Special Award |
1994 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Out of Darkness |