Inside Diana Ross’ Dramatic Rise To Fame
Over the years, Motown Records has given us some of the greatest musical acts of all time. None, however, were more significant than Diana Ross. A once-in-a-lifetime talent with a voice to match, Diana shattered the glass ceiling of a male-dominated industry and flipped popular music completely on its head — all just by singing. Yet the seminal songstress wasn't always one of music's biggest names; in fact, Motown didn't even want her at first. Through years of struggle, Diana gradually started making her way to the top, though she had to make some dramatic moves to prove to the world that there really ain't no mountain high enough to stop her.
A defining mistake
Right from the start things weren't exactly smooth sailing for the future musical legend. Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1944, the superstar-to-be was actually given the name "Diane Ross" at birth. However, an easily-avoidable error with the paperwork resulted in her name being recorded as "Diana." The same typo was then repeated throughout her life — on both her high school yearbook and in the liner notes of The Supremes first album. Her friends reportedly still use her given name, but professionally, 'Diana' is her preferred moniker. Interestingly enough, though, music wasn't her first choice when it came to her future.
Where it all began
Before her passion for music really took hold, a young Diana took an early interest in fashion design. Despite going on to become an undisputed fashion icon, a career in the clothes industry just wasn't what fate had in store for the talented teen. Diana began her foray into music at 15 when she joined the Primettes, a sister group to the all-male Primes. Alongside neighborhood friends Florence Ballard, Betty McGlown, and Mary Wilson, Diana and the Primettes soon became one of the most popular acts in Detroit.
Come back when you're older
After winning competitions, Diana convinced another neighborhood friend, William "Smokey" Robinson, to let the Primettes audition for his Motown label. The founder, Berry Gordy, reportedly "stopped in his tracks" at the sound of Diana's voice. "They had come into Motown and were singing in the lobby when I walked by. Their singer, Diana Ross, had this whiny voice. They put so much into the song and were so young and cute that I asked them to sing it again." But even though Gordy was impressed with the youngsters' talent, he refused to sign them. The producer simply didn't want to be the reason that any of the then-seniors dropped out of their studies.
Another way in
But Diana was persistent, and at 16 she joined Motown — just not in a musical sense. Not one to be deterred by Gordy's refusal, a level-headed young Ross took a job there as a secretary instead. And as luck would have it, the job gave her and the Primettes the perfect excuse hang around the label and make themselves known. On occasion they even volunteered as backup singers for other artists. Their persistence would pay off, too, as big things were on the horizon for the group.
