One of the most recognizable and influential voices from the Motown era is Diana Ross. She’s earned the title “Female Entertainer of the Century” many times over.
After decades as a solo act, you might forget her early years with the Supremes. Often, she’s considered the leader of the group that launched her career, but is it true?
We’re giving the history of Miss Ross a closer look to see if we can answer this question. There ain’t no mountain high enough to stop us on our quest.
Let’s hit it!
The Story of Diana Ross
Born Diane Earle Ross in 1944, life started out hard for this future star. One of six children, her mother contracted tuberculosis when Diana was only seven. To take the pressure off, their parents sent them to live in Bessemer, Alabama, with their grandmother. When they returned, the family moved into the Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects.
This was where she spent her teenage years, forming friendships with future members of the Supremes and the Temptations. At 15, she began singing with the Primettes, a sister group to the Primes. Other members included Florence Ballard, Betty McGlown, and Mary Wilson.
All the girls were in high school when they started playing sock hops and talent shows. Ross’ childhood neighbor, Smokey Robinson, got them an audition with Motown executive Berry Gordy in 1960.
Even though they’d won several major competitions by that point, he didn’t think they were ready for the big time. Instead, he told them to come back once they graduated.
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Persistence Pays Off
Never one to take no for an answer, the group kept showing up at the studio. This allowed them to contribute handclaps and background vocals on records with Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells, among others.
Gordy decided it was time to give them a chance but under a new name. Ballard chose the Supremes, and they recorded their first album in 1961.
While the group was widely successful, Ross stood out from the crowd. In fact, after five years and 17 appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show, something shifted. They were renamed Diana Ross and the Supremes in 1967, a move that set her up for an early exit. By 1970, she embarked on her solo career.
Her first single, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, topped the charts that year. And for several years after that, she released other hits like I’m Still Waiting and Touch Me In The Morning.
With over 25 studio albums and a ranking as one of the top five artists on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, she’s cemented her legacy. As a solo artist, she’s recorded with everyone from Marvin Gaye to Michael Jackson and performed for Queen Elizabeth II and several presidents.
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Diana Ross’s Best Known Songs
Once she left the Supremes, Diana Ross sang some of our favorite songs from the 1970s and 80s. Each of these tunes means something special.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Originally recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Diana Ross’ version feels like a different song. You’re probably more familiar with the bouncy pop song than this extended cut. With added lyrics, a spoken word section, and a triumphant climax, it’s a masterpiece. Berry Gordy refused to release it at first because the chorus didn’t come in until after four minutes.
Radio DJs fell in love with this version and made their own edits, which propelled it to the top of the charts. An official radio-friendly edition came out two months later from Motown, leading to a Grammy nomination.
Endless Love
Released almost a decade later, Endless Love featured a duet with Lionel Richie for the film by the same name. While the movie wasn’t very successful, the song became a hit almost immediately. In fact, by the end of the year, it was the second-best-selling single.
A departure from her previous high-energy jams, this tune overflows with drama and emotion. Almost unrecognizable, Diana Ross’ voice is breathy and tender. Listeners loved it, though, and it was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1982.
Upside Down
Upside Down started out as a mostly failed collaboration with Chic founders Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. They produced her eleventh studio album, which she hated. After going back and forth with the pair, she finally remixed the record with Motown producer Russ Terrana. Funk might’ve been popular on the charts, but Diana Ross wanted something else.
The new version, which highlighted her vocals, topped the charts for four weeks upon its release. Later, during her 1981 TV special, she did something else that made a splash. Before performing the tune, she brought out labelmate and co-star Michael Jackson to take the stage.
Was Diana Ross the Original Singer for the Supremes?
Deciding who was the original singer of the Supremes is a complicated assignment. Diana Ross was clearly the most prominent member during her final years with the group. But in the early days, there wasn’t competition between members.
Founded by Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson, the original lineup included Ross and Betty McGlown. By the time they were the Supremes, McGlown had left, and they were down to a trio. Together, they had 12 number-one singles and ranked among the greatest Hot 100 artists of all time.
Until the mid-1960s, the three vocalists traded off lead-singer duties from song to song. But, after it became clear who the real star was, Ross took over. This was partially because Berry Gordy paid particular attention to her and even renamed the group to feature her in 1967.
Diana Ross and the Supremes lasted for three years before she left, and they went back to their previous name.
Without her, the group had their final Top 20 hit, Floy Joy, in 1972. They disbanded in June 1977, finally ending their reign.
Did Diana Ross Have a Child With Berry Gordy?
As we mentioned, Berry Gordy and Diana Ross had a special connection. In fact, they started dating in 1965 while the Supremes were recording at Motown. During that time, the music executive lavished attention on the star. While their relationship wasn’t a secret, it didn’t last.
Shortly after she became pregnant with her daughter, she married Robert Ellis Silberstein. He raised her child as his own, even though he was aware of who her birth father was. At 13, Ross revealed to her daughter Rhonda that her “Uncle B.B.” was actually her biological parent.
This news came as a relief to Rhonda because she had noticed differences between her and her sisters.
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What Is Diana Ross Doing Now?
Since embarking on her solo career, Ross has made herself a household name. She’s appeared on screen, on stage, and at the top of the charts.
Besides her marriage to Silberstein, she also has a history with Smokey Robinson and Gene Simmons. She married shipping magnate Arne Næs Jr. in 1985, and they had two sons together. After their divorce in 2000, Ross stayed single, saying that he was the love of her life.
In 2007, President George W. Bush recognized her in the Kennedy Center Honors. Five years later, she received a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
But she didn’t rest on her laurels after a lifetime of chart-topping performances. Instead, she continues recording new music, most recently with her 2021 album Thank You. And in 2022, her single Turn Up the Sunshine was in the film Minions: Rise of Gru.
Even at 79, Miss Ross is headlining world tours. With her announcement in June 2023, she embarked on her Music Legacy Tour, celebrating her greatest hits. She has dates scheduled through the end of 2023, with more to come.
Still the Force Behind the Power
With one of the most iconic voices and catalogs in the music industry, Diana Ross’ recordings are legendary. Launching from a public housing complex to the world stage, her tenure with the Supremes made her famous.
Whether she was the original lead singer of the group is up for debate. What’s not, though, is her legacy as a groundbreaking vocalist and tireless performer.