Diana Ross

Diana Ross

Diana Ross is a singer and actress from Detroit, United States, born in 1944. She is associated with contemporary R&B, disco, jazz, Motown, pop and pop soul.

Early career and the Supremes

Ross begins her career as the lead singer of the vocal group the Supremes, which also includes the Primettes. The group becomes one of Motown’s most successful acts in the 1960s and one of the best-selling girl groups in history. During that period, it achieves twelve number-one singles on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Solo work

After leaving the Supremes in 1970, Ross starts a solo career with her debut album, Diana Ross. Between 1972 and 1980, she records four top ten albums, with Diana her most successful studio release. Over the course of more than fifteen years, she releases twelve top ten singles, including six US number one hits: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Touch Me in the Morning”, “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)”, “Love Hangover”, “Upside Down” and “Endless Love”. Her other major international songs include “I’m Coming Out”, “Chain Reaction”, “If We Hold on Together” and “When You Tell Me That You Love Me”.

Acting and film work

Ross also works in film and television. Her first screen role is as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues in 1972. The performance brings her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination, and she becomes the first African-American actress nominated for an Academy Award for a debut film performance. The film’s soundtrack reaches number one on the US Billboard 200. She later stars in Mahogany and The Wiz, and appears in television films including Out of Darkness, which brings her a Golden Globe nomination, and Double Platinum.

Awards and recognition

Ross receives many honours across her career. Billboard names her “Female Entertainer of the Century” in 1976. She is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 as a member of the Supremes. She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her awards also include a Special Tony Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award twice, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Since starting her solo career, she has sold over 100 million records worldwide. She also sings on eighteen number-one US singles between 1964 and 1981, and is credited with a top 75 UK hit single for 33 consecutive years from 1964 to 1996.

Albums

Her studio albums include Diana Ross, Everything Is Everything, Surrender, Touch Me in the Morning, Diana & Marvin with Marvin Gaye, Last Time I Saw Him, Diana Ross (1976), Baby It’s Me, Ross, The Boss, Diana, To Love Again, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Silk Electric, Ross (1983), Swept Away, Eaten Alive, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues, Workin’ Overtime, The Force Behind the Power, A Very Special Season, Take Me Higher, Every Day Is a New Day, Blue, I Love You, Diana Ross Sings Songs from The Wiz and Thank You.