Diana Ross was born Diane Ross in Detroit, Mich. on March 26, 1944. Growing up in the housing projects of Detroit, Ross aspired to be a singer, eventually forming the Primettes with friends Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and Barbara Martin while still in high school. After Martin left the group, the Primettes signed to Motown and became the Supremes. Diana Ross was especially favored by Motown president Berry Gordy, who thought she had the vocal talent and charisma for a successful solo career. Throughout the '60s Ross was increasingly prominent in the group, culminating in a change in the trio's name to "Diana Ross and the Supremes." Finally in January 1970 Ross left the Supremes for a long-expected solo career.
Working with the songwriting team of Ashford and Simpson, Ross quickly racked up Top 40 hits, including "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Besides turning out numerous hit singles, Ross gave an Academy Award-nominated performance in the Billie Holiday biography Lady Sings the Blues, whose soundtrack reached No. 1. During the mid '70s the hits kept coming: "Touch Me in the Morning," "Do You Know Where You're Going," and "Love Hangover" were just a few. Ross continued her acting career as well, appearing in 1977's Mahogany and a 1978 film adaptation of The Wiz. In 1980 alone Ross charted with "I'm Coming Out" and "It's My Turn," returning to No. 1 the following year with, "Endless Love," a duet with Lionel Ritchie.
In 1981 Ross left Motown for RCA, beginning with Why Do Fools Fall in Love?, which immediate went platinum thanks to the Top 10 hits "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" and "Mirror, Mirror." As the '80s progressed, Ross's albums began moving fewer and fewer units, prompting her to return to Motown in 1989 with promises of increased creative control. Ross returned to her older pop style in the 1990s; though she retains a loyal fan base and continues to sell respectably.
