Diana Ross
Diana Ross was born in 1944. Emerging from the housing projects in Detroit to become an international superstar, she gained prominence first as a member of the supremes, then as a solo artist. The mention of her name evokes the indelible image of the broadly smiling diva, the long hair, sequined gowns, etc.
Ross first recorded on the small lupine label in 1959, as a member of the Primettes. The group signed to Motown in1961, and later changed their names to the supremes. In 1963, all the singles released by the supremes featured Diana Ross as the lead singer. That year they first hit the top 40 with “when the love light starts shining through his eyes”.
In 1964 the supremes single “ where did our love go” began a run of five consecutive #1 singles. Thereafter where a series of #1 hits such as, “the happenings”, “baby love”, “ stop! in the name of love”, “ you can’t hurry love”, and you keep me hanging on”. Someday well be together was Ross’ last hit with the supremes before going solo.
Ross moved to California to launch her solo career. Her reworking of the Ashford and Simpson standard “ain’t no mountain high enough” became their first #1 hit as a solo artist. In 1971, Her first child Rhonda was born later announced as berry Gordy child (the founder of Motown).
Ros married her first husband, Robert Ellis Siberstein, a union that produced two children, Tracee (from girlfriends) and Chudney Ellis. In 1972 Diana Ross made her first debut portraying the late jazz singer Billie holiday in “ lady sings the blues”. The film was successful, and Ross was received an Oscar nomination for her performance.
You know she's a Jackson. And you know she's a singer. Of course, you know the girl can dance. You know she's a leading lady in Hollywood. And maybe you still think of her as a cute little girl with a famous last name and big , bright eyes. Do you think she's what she was yesterday? Better think again. As many of her other fans and followers already know, the only label that fits her is… Janet.
The group ranged from ages nine to fourteen. They group was brought to Berry Gordy’s attention by Bobby Taylor of the Vancouver. Berry Gordy fell in love with Michael. He sang his songs with so much feeling and inspiration and pain. It was like he had gone through everything he was singing about. Right off top, they exploded onto the pop and R&B charts in the 1969 with “I Want You Back”. Diana Ross played a big part in the Jackson 5’s debut. She allowed them to be an opening act for herself and the Supremes concert in Los Angeles, California in 1969. A few day later the group was on their way to stardom. Four chart-topping releases followed over the next eleven month with songs “ABC”, “The Love You Save”, and “I'll Be There”. That made Jackson 5 only group to have its first four records reach number 1 on the charts. This group captured the hearts of young people and a lot of other people ranging from different ages with their talent and charm. It was the youngest Michael in the group that was the lead singer and who stood out the most to the people. Years later, Berry Gordy recalled the group as a determination to succeed in his autobiography. He wrote their hard work was unconditional, and they were willing to sweat to
Faith Evans was born on June 10, 1973, and grew up in Newark, NJ, where she began singing in church at the mere age of two. A high school honor student, she sang in her school's musical productions before winning a full scholarship to Fordham University. After just one year, though, she left college to put her jazz and classical training to use in the field of contemporary RB. It didn't take her long to find work and over the next few years, she sang backup and wrote songs for artists like Hi-Five, Mary J. Blige, Pebbles, Al B. Sure, Usher, Tony Thompson, and Christopher Williams. Thanks to her work on Blige's 1994 sophomore effort, My Life, Evans met producer/impresario Sean "Puffy" Combs, who signed her to his Bad Boy label. In 1995, Evans released her debut album, Faith, which went platinum on the strength of the hit RB singles "You Used to Love Me" and "Soon as I Get Home." The same year, she met fellow Bad Boy artist the Notorious B.I.G. (some accounts say at a photo shoot, others a phone conversation) and married him after a courtship of just nine days; shortly thereafter, she guested on a remix of his smash single "One More Chance."
The couple wrote over 100 chart hits together, including the Chiffons' "One Fine Day," the Monkees' "Pleasant Valley Sunday," the Drifters' "Up on the Roof," the Cookies' "Chains" (later covered by the Beatles), Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman" and the Crystals' controversial "He Hit Me (and It Felt like a Kiss)."
She and their first baby died during childbirth. Johnson then went on the road. Robert traveled all over the Midwest and all the way down to Mississippi and Arkansas. He married Calletta Craft during his travels. She died only a few years later while Robert was on the road.
The founder of Motown records was Berry Gordy. He founded the company in 1959. The label was located in Detroit Michigan. It got shortened to Motown because Detroit was known for the nickname of the motor and town. The music that Motown created, symbolized coming-of-age and celebration and how it is timeless and how it was still important to most people. Berry Gordy wanted to create a sound that anyone would like. Most of the music and artists
Cholly Atkins stared his dance carrier when he was inspired by a primary school teacher who performed variety shows. This inspired Atkins to start dancing. He started out as a street performing and then got a job as a dancing and singing waiter before world Cholly Atkins war two. He married Dottie Saulters in 1922 and in the 1930s his son was born, Charles Stlvan Atkinson. He then moved on to touring with stars like Count Base and Louis Armstrong. After the war he teamed up with Coles.
Motown’s first #1 hit was “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes in 1961. The song stayed on the Top Ten charts for 1 week, which was typical for this time period. Gordy, then signed Mary Wells to his flourishing music label. Mary Wells has a string of pop songs that reached on the Top Ten charts. The Distants were signed to his label in 1961 but you might recognize them as The Temptations. Also in 1961, Gordy signed Marvin Gaye, whose most famous song was Let’s Get It On. Gordy signed many artists like The Supremes, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy and David Ruffin, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Commodores and The Jackson 5.
The Marvelettes, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, The Drifters, The Temptations, The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Spinners, Aretha Franklin
One of the most colorful music legends of the 1960's was Janis Joplin. Blues legend Janis Lyn Joplin was born on January 19th 1943, the eldest child of parents Seth and Dorothy Joplin. Janis was born and raised in the small Southern petroleum industry town of Port Arthur, Texas. Her father was a canning factory worker, her mother a registrar at a local business college. Her non-aberrational upbringing coupled with the atmosphere of Port Arthur at the time; generally restrictive, intolerant, and unnurturing must've made even Janis' early childhood difficult. By all accounts, however, Janis seems to have been a "normal" and happy child, who fitted society's usual definition of "pretty". It was in Janis' adolescence that the hang-ups and hassles that were to affect the path of the rest of her life. In a sense, her rigid upbringing played a large part in making Janis who she was. This would never have been admitted at the time, but, predictably, the "Port Arthur" ethic created a fire inside Janis and kept it burning until her death. Janis' troubles began, when she was a teenager with her "good looks" gradually began to disintegrate, her soft blonde hair turned into an unruly brown mane. She also developed severe acne, which would scar her mentally as well as physically. Hence, Janis became something of a loner, as was named the ugly girl. She soon began avoiding mirrors, and her anxiety about her looks was made worse by the constant taunts by peers, who rejected her and often made fun of her. When Janis found that society had rejected her, she rejected it.
Araminta Ross was born in 1822. She was one of eleven children of Harriet and Benjamin Ross.
Billie Holiday was an African-American and she was born in April, 7, 1915 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She had no formal music education when she was step into the stage of the club platform to sing. She had an amazing voice and several producers appreciated her talents and promoted her to become a recognition jazz singer. Her addiction of drugs and alcohol ultimately damaged her liver and heart. She was pledged to guilty in court when the police found a possession of an illegal substance in her New York City apartment. She passed away in the hospital near the Upper East Side due to liver failure.
Aretha Louise Franklin also known as the Queen of Soul was born on March 25, 1942 in Memphis Tennessee. She is known for being a solo singer, and also a very talented pianist. Soul, R&B, Jazz, and Gospel are genres that she sings. Throughout her career she signed with Colombia Records, along with some others, and has released many popular singles that would now be considered classical. Aretha was the first female artist to be introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. She also had to grow up sooner than many other girls because she had her first child at a very young age. Up until this day Aretha is still alive living at age seventy-two and has won many Grammy awards and is considered one of the most honored artist.
At the age of fifteen she was given an offer to join a group of young girls known as The Primettes. They were unable to sign a record deal until the year of 1961. The girls were signed by Motown Records and Lu Pine Records. Diana had graduated from Cass Tech during this time at the age of seventeen. The group consisted of four girls Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and Barbara Martin, including Miss Ross. In 1967, they group was renamed, Diana Ross and The Supremes. Soon, Florence removed herself and was replaced with a new girl, Cindy. They started off doing local talent shows and progressed from there. Diana and the Supremes performed and released pop, rock, and R&B soul music. In 1964 the Supremes group had released eight singles. None of the eight songs even made it in the category of top 20. They did not give up even if it meant late night studio sessions. Eventually, in the late...
Britney Spears was born on December 2, 1981. She lived in Kentwood, Louisiana and was constantly performing in front of people and always wanted to be on 'Star Search'. Britney tried out for the New Mickey Mouse Club at age 8 and then again at 11 and made it. Then she went solo because her talent was evident and she wanted more (A & E Television Networks, 2011).