By DyvaNaye (152.163.253.70) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 11:53 pm:

Ok... I just saw another one of the ill-fated 'Diva shows' being advertised and the ONLY Diva I saw on the lineup was PATTI LABELLE. She can do the whole darned show her self. Who picks these people? Christine Scara-lera, and all this chicken with out meat youngins skippin' and bippin' all over the place! If it were a general public concensus to pick the Diva's for the show, I beleive the young entertainer folk would pick who we know as true DIVA's...the rest are just IMAGES.

Here's My List for one of those 'blankety-blank Diva-Las-Vegas' shows:

Stephanie Mills
Melba Moore
Chaka Khan
Gladys Knight
Teena Marie
Evelyn King
Teena Marie
Denice Williams

Got any suggestions SDF?

By Linda Di. (66.67.193.82) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 12:23 am:

The VH1 Diva shows have been off the mark for most of its history. Miss Patti should have been the headliner on one of the first shows, if not the first show. I can't even believe that Jessica Simpson's name comes before Patti's on the ads. It's unspeakable, that's what it is ...

By Reese (12.15.168.160) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 11:42 am:

Gladys Knight has just been added to the upcoming VH1 Divas show. So I'm hoping she and Patti get together at least once.

I enjoyed Gladys/Patti/Dionne's SISTERS IN THE NAME OF LOVE special more than any of VH1's bloated DIVAS show which ,at the most, might contain one true diva with a bunch of wanna-bes.

By GOAT (64.228.147.195) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 11:57 am:

Annie Lennox
Aretha Franklin
Diana Ross (though I wish she wasn't)
Celine Dion

These are but a few. And Jessica Simpson is NOT!
Nice girl, dumb as dirt.

By Gary (66.73.238.5) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 12:11 pm:

Aretha
Chaka
Patti
Gladys
Nancy Wilson
Cher has diva attitude, but not a diva voice.

Diana, Celine, and Whitney may THINK they're divas, but they don't have it as far as I'm concerned. Christina, Brittany, Beyonce and Jessica aren't worth mentioning in the same breath as Aretha and Patti.

By GOAT (64.228.147.195) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 12:15 pm:

Good post Gary.

I forgot about Cher. And you are correct, her voice isn't there but her attitude is.

By passing by (63.88.160.101) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 12:41 pm:

Only one diva Maria Callus. The term Diva started out to discribe a very tempermental oper star, And now every pop singer is a diva

By joe (62.254.0.32) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 02:55 pm:

aretha
three degrees
gladis knight
donna summer

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 06:13 pm:

My favorite Divas

Diana
Patti
Madonna
Cher
Betty Wright
Chaka
Aretha
Whitney
Babs Striesand
Bette Midler

By Sudi Kamau (66.117.198.35) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 06:23 pm:

R&B Divas:
Aretha Franklin
Patti Labelle
Gladys Knight

By Edgar (200.46.13.240) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 06:26 pm:

Patti Austin

By DyvaNaye (209.212.74.216) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 08:34 pm:

Passing By: Yes orginally it was that the term DIVA was meant for the OPERA but that changed as even talk show hosts and other televsion media would term non-opera singers as DIVA's back in the 60's and 70's because the women back then carried their weight in the business, demanded respect, top billing and money. As the times changed the terminology of DIVA changed too.

Two people that I know were alive today that would certainly qualify for the DIVA shows are ELLA FITZGERALD and JUDY GARLAND...in fact LIZA MINELLI when she could still 'pipe'. She could be a choice now for a DIVA show. Better than what is out there.

Peace.
DyvaNaye

By Rodmann (12.223.170.105) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 12:47 am:

I was just watching VH1 and I see that Supermodel Tyra Banks who has just released her first single was also chosen as one of this year's DIVAS.

By Rodmann (12.223.170.105) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 06:21 pm:

Super talented vocalist Ashanti has also been chosen as one of this year's DIVAS. LMAO!

By STONEWALL (68.237.93.170) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 02:03 pm:

BARBRA STREISAND! Let's face it, B.S. is the ultimate "Diva" w/o ever asking for it. And all of the other divas know that Babs is numero uno. They have all followed post-Streisand. And Babs having won an Academy Award for acting and an Academy Award for songwriting (and she sang it) to her many credits adds to the enviable legitimacy of Diva #1. DONNA SUMMER knew 'enough' to do a duet with La Streisand as in "Enough Is Enough (No More Tears)" -- a double diva duet!! And, it went where? To #1!

By Boynextdoor (4.165.87.27) on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 11:23 pm:

There's really only one....Ms. Ross.....

By STONEWALL (68.237.93.170) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 01:23 am:

The Boy Next Door is a nice guy and......, butt was never good at math. 1+1=2 not 1. Adding DIANA to BARBRA makes two divas not one. And for sure we'd have to add CHER and PATTI. That's four; let's close the door. Oh, and ARETHA, the queen of Soul. And DONNA the Disco Queen. That's six, pick up stix. No mas! Is CELINE actually a diva? Any Canadian forum members? If so, that's seven; they will all go to heaven and we will have seven times the amount of diva entertainment and fabulous songs.

Bi the way, how many divas, if any, were on the recent "Motown-45" event?

By dot (152.163.253.70) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 01:14 pm:

its just about whose names are out there mixed wtih a couple of greats to make is seem not so fixed to pull in ratings oh yeah beyonce is coming up and can hold her own as a diva

By royaljones (166.68.134.174) on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 05:46 pm:

DIVA EXTRAORDINAIRE ms JEAN TERRELL-- oy.....I'll add my tidbit...When I was speaking with someone who knew Jean rather well, I inquired, is it true Jean didn't like 'white' people? ..the response to me was ...'I didn't know Jean liked 'any' people!'....and as far as a jazz cd goes . I'll believe it when I see it!. Her voice has grown so 'warbly'....like she's under the water...Maybe she saved her bucks and is producing her own projects now. Jean never should have signed off her royalties. She is a great assistant in the beauty parlor though. really gets that scalp good and clean. I love Jean!..I truly hope she finds her voice again.What style!

By STONEWALL (68.161.203.40) on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 07:54 pm:

Miss JONES, U really are too funny about JEAN and the beauty parlor. Does she do a little singing sideshow for the girls while they're under the dryer? MARTHA did a severe song about "dryer", remember? "I was under the dryer when the telegram came...." Name that Motown song: ____________________________!

Everyone in the office is turning around looking at me to catch a scent of what I am laughing out loud about -- still about Jeanie and the salon. FREDA PAYNE would have been so much better -- and far Supremer appearance -- as the lead of the "New" SUPREMES. Also, the fierce and powerful DARLENE LOVE. Or even THELMA HOUSTON. And what about that Motown powerhouse who should have had 'first option', BRENDA HOLLOWAY?!

By Lady P Shy (166.68.134.174) on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 01:33 pm:

re:nasty divas...stephanie mills in 1978 at Strawberries on Boylston after a disco awards party at the MUSIC HALL,
Darlene Love at her book signing, Freda Payne at her birthday party in 1978,ms Ross when I blew her a kiss and she deflected it,Maria(midnight at the oasis) Muldaur at 'folk city', whah? what was I even doing there? when all she did was sing fart songs(wrong site,sorry).....anyway skip to 2003 Freda and Darlene have been absolved of nasty divadom. both were amply pleasant at FEINTEIN's.and both were looking their best.Wish I liked GOYLS,that FREDA is one of the most stunningly captivating beauties to grace the planet and she seemed rather in touch spiritually and was gracious.in other words she had mercy on the Diva-in-waiting who is me.People change. don't waste time harboring resentment. we all have bad days.....Cissy backstage at Sweetwater's gets an honorable mention...her pencil autograph.Would it have killed her?My idol and this was way pre Whitney takeover.but then again she held my hand at the HORN of PLENTY in Manhattan.A lil Nip sat across from me as there were no other seats.I was overwhelmed by her beauty. I stared cos after all she was Cissy's kid.I may have even smiled.She was a young whipper snapper ,cute as a button and tore the hell out of 'Tomorrow' with Eltesa Weathersby and the other Zager discovery who did Cissy's back up at Reno's, and the Bottom Line etc...Even the UNCF college fund at Carnegie Hall in 1978...and the anti diva is Mavis Staples ..lovely gal! I kissed her hand but she had gloves on...and what a laugh we had.Cleotha and Yvonne were there.Pops was sick and who knows where Pervis is?..Stephi M was pre new nose and I do understand how a giant honker can weigh you down...so all is forgiven per usual..I nominate for "nicest encounter with a lovely diva" my top list is 1.Martha Reeves
2.Deniece Williams
3.Susaye Greene
4.Syreeta Wright
3.Sarah Dash
4.Betty Lavette
5.Madeline Bell
8.Baby Washington
6.Maxine Brown
10.Patti Labelle
that's it for now.....Dotti Polite

By sharpay (166.68.134.174) on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 02:09 pm:

Thursday, 8th April 2004
Martha and Jimmy sing the hits

SWEET MUSIC: Martha Reeves
IN case you manage to over indulge on the chocolate this Easter, then fear not as a Manchester theatre could have the perfect antidote.

Arriving at the Opera House on April 13 is Dancing In The Streets � Motown�s Greatest Hits, which should have you up throwing some shapes in the aisles.

Two legends from the Detroit studio�s heyday, Martha Reeves and Jimmy Ruffin, will guide you through a selection of songs from best known artists including Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops and Marvin Gaye, all backed by the Dancing In The Streets band.

So to remind yourself what the Motor City was famous for before Eminem and The White Stripes, grab this chance to once again hear a bit of that sweet, soul music.

Dancing In The Streets is on at the Opera House from Tuesday, April 13 to Saturday, April 17. Tickets are priced between £10.50 - £21.50.
Soul searching
Simon Donohue

MORALS: Martha Reeves
MARTHA Reeves doesn't much hold with all of the sexuality and nudity in the modern music industry.

It might suit Christina Aguilera to wear next to nothing and Janet Jackson to bare a be-jewelled breast at the Super Bowl, but things were done differently when Reeves led The Vandellas to a series of smash hits on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1960s.

Now the 62-year-old has a mission to bring morals back. "I know there was more respect for the public and it came from Motown," says Reeves of her halcyon days as a young soul star.

"I'm sure if anyone had developed a little lewdness, they would have been told about it." Clearly referring to the controversy surrounding Janet Jackson - although not mentioning her by name - Reeves adds: "She could have benefited from the Motown training."

Admittedly, Reeves, too, had her dark hours, including an addiction to prescription drugs, but was reborn into Christianity in the 1970s and claims that there were external influences which led her astray.

Mentored

But she insists that she never lost respect for her fans and, amazingly, is still mentored by the same Mrs Maxine Powell, now 84, who took her in hand when she went from secretary to singer and then superstar at the Motown label.

"I'm sure if we'd all had a Mrs Powell that there would be a lot more respect for the public," she adds. "There have been some hard times. But, do you know, my first real hard drug was given to me by a dentist.

"I was in hospital, not because I was ill, but because I was put there. I was broken down by the industry. There were wrong influences, people attach themselves to you when you are successful.

"But I'm still hereand a lot of my friends have gone. I have been reborn since 1977, although I have always been religious because of my grandfather's spirituality.

"I started singing when I was only three in his chapel. My peers and I earned our right to be a part of Motown folklore.

"We struggled through racial tensions and wars. We performed together on the night that Martin Luther King was shot and we went together to places like Japan and Vietnam.

"We didn't want to be 'bitches or whores' - we wanted to soothe people. Motown was about soothing people. Today's young people have their way because they don't know what they are angry about."

Hard

In stark contrast to today's Pop Idol wannabes, Reeves did it the hard way - and was discovered singing as Martha LaVaille in a Detroit club.

She landed a job as a secretary at Motown's Hitsville headquarters, providing backing vocals until finally getting her big break as a lead singer.

The famous friends she survived include Motown founder Berry Gordy's other stars, including Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye. Then there was Edwin Starr, who joined on the last Motown-inspired tour of the UK but sadly died last year.

When this tour is finished, she will return to Detroit to continue work on a fame academy of her own - teaching the same traditional values which are already fuelling some modern artists, like Norah Jones and Joss Stone.

It is a fitting tribute as Motown prepares to mark its 45th anniversary with a celebration this month. "I'm working on the development of a school of the arts in Detroit," she explains.

"We are refurbishing an old castle to serve as a base. I have set up a label and released my own CD on it and the plan is now to develop talent and bring some other people through.

"There are concert musicians who would agree with me that there is nothing like the sound of brass instruments and guitars and having musicians get together and play their music.

"Our music was basically jazz. The same guys who performed on all those Motown hits are still travelling today as the Funk Brothers. There is an alternative way of making it in the music business."

Revue

Reeves will be providing a taste of the good old days when she performs with the musical revue, Dancing In The Streets, at the Opera House in Manchester this week.

It will no doubt include airings of the hits enjoyed by The Vandellas in the 1960s. Dancing In The Street spent eight weeks in the chart in 1964 - and four weeks when it was re-released in 1969.

Jimmy Mack spent nine weeks in the chart in 1967 - and 12 weeks in the chart in 1970. Nowhere To Run first charted 1965 and became a hit for a second time in 1968.

As a testament to the girls' enduring appeal, the Vandellas were inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. She looks back fondly on her career, yet still believes she has a lot to learn.

Knowledge

When not touring, Reeves serves as a motivational speaker in Detroit or has lessons with the Motor City Lyric Opera company. "I don't have enough musical knowledge," she insists modestly.

"There is such a wide spectrum. I have had music lessons every year of my career, from the age of three when I went to my grandfather's church and won the amateur contest."

Indeed, the church is equally as important as her music. "I don't have time for a husband because I'm married to showbusiness," adds Reeves, a grandmother with three children.

"I'm not even thinking about it because of my relationship with Jesus Christ."

Dancing In The Streets is at the Opera House from Tuesday, April 13 until Saturday, April 17.