You made my night, PJ. I had just finished watching The Wiz so I'm currently in a Ross Rush.
Those were some of the most stunning costumes ever. Loved her Eliza and her Fanny. There will never be a diva as fabulous and talented as Miss Ross. Simply spectacular.
Every time somebody screams that Diana Ross stole Florence Ballard's career out from under her or that Mary Wilson was equally as talented, should stop and watch this for a minute.
No, vocally, She's not a Merman or a Streisand but she does everything she possibly can with the voice she was given. Her phrasing is completely unique and refreshing and insanely musical.
Her poise and sense of presentation is spectacular.
And…the charisma drips off her.
Florence Ballard could never have gotten through this medley and worse – we wouldn’t have lasted 3 minutes watching her
"There's no damn business like show business - you have to smile to keep from throwing up." - Billie Holiday
This was Diana's big solo spot from a 1969 special she did while she was still with The Supremes. It was called G.I.T. On Broadway and co-starred The Temptations
I always thought she had a very pleasant voice, one that hits the ear just right.
I love her phrasing.
I don't WANT to live in what they call "a certain way." In the first place I'd be no good at it and besides that I don't want to be identified with any one class of people. I want to live every whichway, among all kinds---and know them---and understand them---and love them---THAT's what I want! - Philip Barry (Holiday)
"Florence Ballard could never have gotten through this medley and worse – we wouldn’t have lasted 3 minutes watching her"
I don't agree with that. Ballard and Ross were two very different types of singers. Gordy decided to go with the lighter, sexier sound of Ross. It is documented that in Supremes concerts, Ballard always took the lead on the song "People". Had Gordy put as much time and attention into Ballard as he put into Ross, Ballard may have achieved a level of stardom reached by Aretha Franklin. Even in the musical Dreamgirls, the most known song is given to the Ballard character.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
This clip is my new obsession. My boyfriend is looking at me with this astonished look on his face and asking, "AGAIN?!?!?" To which I responded: "HELLS YEAH!!!"
You thought that was foul - then bite down on this.
Florence Ballard had a nice big voice…as do thousands of others girls ..
She had no interesting sense of phrasing and her musicality is weaker than Ross. Her version of “People” is competent. Nothing more.
On top of it, Florence loved her food (Which Diana never did) and that never leads to superstardom.
On top of that, Florence had no charisma.
On top of that, her attitude sucked. "Yes, Florence you choose the name "The Supremes" - yes we know!" They would all say, rolling their eyes. (much like everyone does to Pal Joey)
Berry never had any intention of making Ballard a star…ever….
There is no comparison to Aretha who possessed one of the greatest female voices of hers or any other generation.. Aretha was courted by recording companies from the age of 13 on due to her Father and his religious and show business connections.
DreamGirls turned Florence into a myth that simply did not exist and was not really true at the time or now.
Name a Vandella other than Martha…exactly…
Florence Ballard is not Effie. Never was. Had she been, she'd be alive today.
Pal Joey…it’s time to change your depends, dear..
Rarrrgggggghhh
"There's no damn business like show business - you have to smile to keep from throwing up." - Billie Holiday
And it's not because anyone loves Florence Ballard that much. You set her up as a straw-man and then attacked her as if the point of the thread was to defend her and you were the sole voice of reason to rail against her inadequacies.
No, the reason no one will read what you write is that your relentless compulsion to come onto a thread like this and negate what other are saying is icky and creepy.