Last Friday I spent my 70th birthday at Diana Ross’s 75th Diamond Jubilee Birthday Celebration at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. Oh, my stars. She was fabulous. The first time many of us saw Diana Ross was back in the 60’s, on black and white TV, when she was lead singer of the Supremes. They were powerful and chic, like nothing we’d ever seen, and they became Motown’s most successful artists of that decade. The Supremes are still the best charting girl group in US history and one of the world’s best-selling girl groups of all time.
Did I tell you Diana Ross called me up to the stage because she liked my dress?
Because my Instagram followers have waited a week to see my dress—they’ve already seen one of Miss Ross’s dresses—yesterday I featured my dress and my conversation with Diana Ross on Fashion Friday. You can see it here, “Diana Ross Liked My Dress.” So now I’m sharing Diana Ross and her glamorous gowns on Brenda’s Blog.
🎼You Can’t Hurry Love… 🎵
With her big eyes and lush lashes, the great Miss Ross is girlish and gracious, a glamorous goddess who, without even trying, oozes sultry confidence. She owns the stage, but not in a prima donna way, and she radiates joy and happiness and… I think I’ve already said this, but she looks fabulous! Many of her gowns were strapless, and at 75-years-old and five children later… She and her arms are in phenomenal shape! I aspire to have her arms.
Some of her gowns were covered in beads and rhinestones, so I can’t imagine how much they weighed or how hot they were. Each gown had a matching tulle wrap that made her look like a fairy tale princess, and she had a hand fan the color of the dress. With each outfit she wore different, but dazzling, accessories. If they were real, surely there was a platoon of bodyguards backstage.
Every three or four songs she would glide offstage for an outfit and jewelry change that took two minutes, max. Each time she returned to the stage the audience cheered like it was our first glimpse of her. She is, indeed, an iconic legend, and it was thrilling to watch her perform. She still has every bit of that beautiful voice we’ve always loved. Even before she called me up to the stage, I couldn’t stop smiling.
🎼Ain’t No Mountain High Enough… 🎵
She wore the same pair of silver espadrilles with each outfit. The soles were level with the ground and about three inches tall. They looked comfortable and worked well with her glam wardrobe.
🎼Upside Down… 🎵
Remember in 2011, when Oprah went crazy over Tina Turner’s hair, and Oprah started wearing a Tina Turner wig? Well I’m still having a Diana Ross hair moment, wishing my hair curled up and out like hers. In my 20’s, I enhanced my natural curl with perms, so I had Diana Ross BIG hair, and I loved it.
🎼Endless Love with Lionel Richie… 🎵
Toward the end of the concert Diana Ross brought her daughter, actress Tracee Ellis Ross from Blackish, onstage. They have such love for one another. Tracee took pictures of her mom, onstage, and said to the audience, “Isn’t she cute?” Yes, she is, so I’ll add “cute” to the descriptive words about Diana Ross.
If you’re interested in seeing Diana Ross perform, check out her 2019 tour schedule which includes a return to the Wynn Hotel in August. I have searched, to no avail, for the names of her phenomenal sax player, guitarists, keyboard players and three backup singers. My apologies to them because they are off the charts great!
FYI, their hair is not grey. It’s a lighting illusion.
Diana Ross reaffirmed for me that my 70’s will be what I make of them. I’m taking her jubilant example to heart, traveling and writing my memoir. I hope you seize whatever age you are and MAKE LIFE COUNT. I went on this trip by myself, and I had so much fun! To all of you single women, regardless of age, don’t be afraid or self-conscious to travel alone, because you might miss out on some incredible experiences!
24 Comments
Swooning – SWOONING, over Diana Ross wardrobe & hair! A sidenote: tears sprang to my eyes when I read you went alone to the concert. I saw a vision of myself doing “something” and having fun doing it.
Arabella, Thank you for your note. It gave me great joy to think I might have influenced you to do “something” wonderful” by yourself. It’s the experience that’s the important thing. It’s criminal to deny ourselves an experience because we don’t have anyone to go with us. Yes, it would be nice to share it with someone else, but doing something alone is a mindset. If we’re excited and looking forward to something… That’s everything! I can think of times that no matter who I was with, it wouldn’t have made the event enjoyable. Even going to the movies alone… Sitting in a darkened theater, watching a movie, isn’t a social experience. It doesn’t matter if we’re there with anyone. “SWOONING!” That’s a perfect description of the audience’s reaction to Diana Ross. We swooned over her. xoxox, Brenda
I love this story and how you made it a wonderful experience.
So much positiveness….and I love women who recognize the strength and beauty in other women..
Love, blessings and Happy Birthday!!
Kim, Thank you, sweet friend. In a perfect world women of all ages would support one another, but especially as we get older it’s important. I think we appreciate the life experiences and health problems other women have endured, and we come to depend on one another for moral support and to be our cheerleaders. I love finding positive women who lift one another up, or finding a woman who needs someone to lift her up and encourage her. Much Love to You, Brenda
I still love Diana Ross as much as I did when I watched her on the black and white TV set! She is still a powerhouse and amazing! So glad you were able to go do this! Wish I could have been right there with you.I love that she is still feminine and lovely, and dresses in those fabulous gowns! Thrilled that she is back on tour and still has it! What an inspiration! Thanks for sharing this!
I’m glad you liked reading about Miss Ross. She is a feel good experience. She makes us feel good that we’ve come to see her, that we’re still here, appreciating life, and she lets us know how much she appreciates us. She has a wonderful connection with her audience. I wouldn’t have missed her for anything! xoxox, Brenda
Hi Brenda! Great article, I enjoyed it immensely. I too saw Diana Ross some fifteen years ago at a private concert and I remember all of the costume changes and the short amount of time in which she accomplished it. I remember one daffodil yellow dress that stood out from all of the rest and she was not only beautiful but gracious as well. It seems as though she hasn’t changed a bit. I still love her voice! How exciting for her to call you to the stage, that’s quite a memory for you to hold on to.
Deborah, You know what I mean about her joy and graciousness. I wasn’t expecting that because I’ve always heard she was a diva. She made each of us feel like she appreciated and loved us and understood that she owed her career to her audience. I still can’t stop smiling when I think of her. xoxox, Brenda
What a fabulous experience… She is a treasure. Happy birthday to you.
Hi Danielle, She is a treasure! A National Treasure and her joyous attitude took me by surprise. Thanks for the birthday wishes. xoxox, Brenda
I love this story and how you made it a wonderful experience.
Thank you so much. Making things a wonderful experience is a frame of mind. I believe we choose to be happy. That doesn’t mean that something sad and devastating to us can’t take precedence on our mood, but for the most part, life is what we make it. I appreciate that you left me a comment and read my post. Brenda
FIVE CHILDREN!!!!!!!!
WHO IS THE HUSBAND?
I did not know that!SUCH INTERESTING FACTS YOU GIVE US!
NOW let’s CHAT ABOUT THAT PINK BALLERINA TULLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!OH MY GOSH SO SIMPLE AND NO SEWING!!!!!!!!!!
OFF TO BUY BOLTS AND CREATE THE WRAP FOR THE CAFTANS!!!!!!!!
MY SAFEWAY SUPERMARKET WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AFTER I JETE ACROSS THE ENTRANCE!!!!
I LOVED HER AS A KID STILL DO!!!!!!!
WHAT A BEAUTY!
XX
Elizabeth, Her children have three different fathers. I couldn’t tell how the edges of her tulle wraps were finished but I think they were gathered because they were bunched and really full. xoxox, Brenda
Happy Birthday Brenda! What an awesome experience and I am green with envy over your willingness to travel alone. You are marvelous and inspirational! Big hugs from one of your biggest fans.
Hello Dear Kona! What a sweet note. How are you? “Willingness… ” It’s more than being willing. Willing sounds like “Yes, I’ll try a piece of liver even though I don’t like it.” I’ve always been eager to go places and that hasn’t changed now that I don’t have a spouse. I want to experience life and see places. The very thought excites me! xoxox, Brenda
I saw Diana Ross in the 1970s. It was thrilling. It was decades before I saw another show that impressed me as much. Thank you for this, and for the overall message of living life to its fullest.
Thank you TOF! Diana Ross in the ’70’s! Oh my stars! That must have been the best experience ever!! How exciting! Even if we’re physically disabled or don’t have the money to travel, there are ways we can “live life to the fullest.” We can get involved with a church or a woman’s group, mentor younger women, foster a dog or a cat until a permanent home can be found for them, meet friends regularly. Anything to get outside of ourselves, connect with others and have new experiences. My mother never got that, but then I think she liked being a victim. I once told her she was just marking time until she died, but she took that to heart and clung to it. Poor lady. xoxox, Brenda
Thanks for sharing your wonderful birthday experience. I love to see her gorgeous gowns. She does look amazing and obviously has the stamina to pull off such a concert.
I loved your choice of outfit Brenda. I’m not surprised she picked you out from the crowd! I’m afraid I don’t have that talent of pulling things together like that. Oh well, I do my best LOL
A birthday you will cherish for a long time to come.
Jeannette, I was inspired by Diana Ross, that’s for sure, and so happy I made the decision to go see her. Doing our best with the help of some tips you pick up along the way will work just fine! Thanks for reading and leaving me a note. I appreciate it and always love seeing you here. xoxox, Brenda
Brenda,
How very exciting it must have been to meet such a mewsical legend! Diana Ross is one of my favorite Motown artists. I appreciate your visit and interest in joining the Monday’s Mewsic Moves Me (4M) dance floor but in the future should you participate you’d love to have some actual songs to boogie to instead of just song titles. In the spirit of mewsic love and because I love your last name ‘Coffee’, I kept this link in place but labeled it at NO MUSIC because the people playing along with the 4M crew are looking to boogie to the sounds of great mewsic. We’d love to have you share some of your favorites next time with ‘your choice song picks’ week. 😉
Have a boogietastic week & I hope to see you on the dance floor on Monday!!
Hi Cathy, Thanks for giving me the rules! I didn’t know. Brenda
Oh, Brenda! Yes! Our 70s (60s coming for me next year) will be what we make of them! #Truth And I love that you went by yourself and had such fun. Good for you! You have lived a wonderful life, or at least it seems so. xo
Leisa, I’ve lived a wonderful life, and I’m grateful. It’s had the lowest of lows and some real highs and the fact that I’m 70 and without a spouse isn’t going to stop me from living. I went to see Michael McDonald last week by myself. This week I’m going out of town, alone, to see the Rolling Stones, and next month I’m going out of town, alone, to see Lionel Ritchie, and the following month I’m going to England by myself for two weeks. Yes! My life will be what I make it and what God blesses me with. xoxox, Brenda