Griffin Speaks

MY CONNECTION TO DIANA ROSS

While studying at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law for my first law degree I had the opportunity to attend a Diana Ross concert. It would prove to be an experience that I would consider being one of the highlights of my life. There before my very eyes was one of the greatest entertainers in the world.

Vince Day a very close friend and classmate at Pitt purchased the tickets for me and a female friend named Andrea Kelsey. Vince’s claim to fame is that he played football at Yale with Stone Phillips. The three of us attended the concert and enjoyed every second even though we were sitting so far from the stage we almost needed binoculars to see Diana Ross. At first I was upset with Vince for purchasing such horrible tickets, but Diana was so good I forgave his misdeed.

Diana Ross grew up in the housing projects of Detroit Michigan. A true rags to riches story. She may have never actually been ragged, but she was definitely far below the status that she would eventually reach later in her life.

The legendary singer and actor became the most successful crossover artist known. She tied with Elvis Presley with number #1 hit records. Only the Beatles surpassed them. At the concert we were among only a handful of minorities in attendance. I surmised that the low minority turnout was due to the high cost of tickets.

Diana Ross is an incredible mother. She has five children, three daughters and two sons who love her dearly. She was also a devoted daughter and actively cared for her mother until she passed.

My connection to Diana Ross stems from my close friendship with the Gardner family in Birmingham, Alabama. Tom Gardner, Mrs. A. G. Gaston’s nephew was married to Diana Ross’s sister. He had a son that ended up living inside Diana Ross’s home along with his grandmother. In 1986 I would have the opportunity to meet Diana Ross backstage in Birmingham, Alabama. I was looking forward to hanging out with the star and polishing her up. This never happened because I had a major conflict in my schedule when she performed at the Birmingham Civic Center.

Diana Ross has several relatives living in Bessemer, Alabama. It is rumored that she was planning a family reunion in Bessemer until everyone pulled out because she wanted the relatives to pay their share of the reunion expenses.

When Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson signed with Motown, the year was 1961. They were still high school students. It took them four years before they would have their first big hit. They started out as the Primettes and became the sister act to the Primes, who would later be called the Temptations.

Diana Ross’s life is so incredible it would be almost impossible for me to write down all of her accomplishments in this short column. Diana amazingly raised five beautiful, well-adjusted children and that my friend in my opinion is her greatest achievement!

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by logging on to his web page at www.gregggriffin.com