1969
(-)
Concert in San Francisco (unknown day & month in 1969 but probably not in January) according to Record World (Jan 25, 1969 issue). This could also refer to the concert in Oakland on February 21, 1969.
January 5
TV show “The Ed Sullivan Show”. “Love Child” is performed for the second time on this show, this time it’s a live performance (see also September 29, 1968).
January 6
Single “I’m livin’ In Shame” (version 2) released (#10 on pop charts).
January 10
- Background vocals on “MacArthur Park” at Golden World. Background vocals probably by the Andantes because of the concert in San Antonio the same day.
- Concerts at the Trinity University Earl C. Sams Memorial Center in San Antonio, TX, 2 shows at 7 & 9:30 p.m.
January 13
Recording session for “Sunshine Days” (unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
January 17
Recording session for “Why Am I Lovin’ You” (unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
January 18
Concert at the Convocation Center, Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Show at 8:30 p.m.
January 19
Concert at the University of Dayton Fieldhouse in Dayton, Ohio. Show at 8:30 p.m.
January 21
Recording sessions for “For Once In My Life – version 2” (track session, date of vocal session unknown but background vocals probably on March 20 and lead vocal around April 19 - unreleased until 2019), “Every Day People”, “Western Union Man”, “Hey Jude” and “Stormy” according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
January 23
Waterloo University’s Carnival: concert at the Kitchener Auditorium in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Highlights of the carnival are broadcast by CKCO-TV and extracts of the concert might have been broadcast on TV.
On the right: Diana Ross and the Supremes boarding in Los Angeles to Canada.
Above: performing at the Kitchener Auditorium.
Above: performing at the Kitchener Auditorium.
January 24
- Recording sessions for “Son Of A Preacher Man”, “Chained To Yesterday”, “Nothing For Nothing”, “Witchi-Tai-To” (all unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
- Concert at the Ashland College Physical Education Center in Ashland, OH. Show at 8:30 p.m.
January 25
Recording session for “I Had A Dream” and “The Onion Song” (both unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
January 26
Concert at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, MO.
January 29
Recording sessions for “Witchi-Tai-To” (second session, unreleased) and “You’re Gonna Hear From Me” according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
Jan 30-Feb 12
Engagement at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.
February 15
Recording sessions for “Memories”, “A Little Too Much” (both unreleased), and second session for “For Both Of Us I’ll Be Concerned” (version 2 - unreleased – see also August 19, 1968) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
February 17
February 20
Single “I’ll Try Something New” released (with the Temptations) (#25 on pop charts).
February 21
Concert at the Oakland Coliseum, CA. (first Bay Area concert appearance since October, 1967).
February 22
Concert at the Anaheim Convention Center, CA (show at 8:30 p.m.).
February 24
Recording sessions for six songs for the album “Together” with the Temptations) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” but the booklet of “Joined Together: The Complete Studio Duets” confirms it’s the recording of the tracks (actually 7 and not 6) and not the vocal sessions.
February 27
Recording session for “The Paper Said Rain”, unreleased according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”. This is actually the working title of “No Matter What Sign You Are” and the booklet of “50th Anniversary: The Single Collection” confirms it’s only the recording of the track and not the vocals (see also April 17).
Jan-May
Engagement at the Copacabana in New York according to Record World (June 14, 1969 issue) and Ribowsky (“The Supremes, A Saga…” p.361) but it’s most probably mistaken with the engagement at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York (May 14-31). The article in Record World shows a picture of Diana Ross after the show credited as being at the Copa but Cash Box shows a picture taken during the same event credited as being at the Waldorf-Astoria (Cash Box June 7, 1969 issue). The article in Record World also says that Smokey Robinson & the Miracles opened the Copa on June 5 so the engagement of Diana Ross & the Supremes would be situated before – probably between March & May) but again, two major engagements in the same city in such a short laps of time is very unlikely.
March 7
Concert at the Indiana State University (ISU) Arena in Terre Haute, IN, (show at 8:00 p.m.).
March 8
- TV show “The Hollywood Palace” hosted by Diana Ross (and the Supremes). See December 28, 1968 for other information).
- Concert at the Assembly Hall in Champaign, IL.
March 9
Concert at the KRNT Theater in Des Moines, IA (show at 8:00 p.m.).
Note: this ticket is labeled “The Supremes” and not “DR&S”.)
Note: this ticket is labeled “The Supremes” and not “DR&S”.)
March 10
Concert at the Pershing Auditorium in Lincoln, NE (show at 8:00 p.m.).
March 13-16
Engagement at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, IL. (show at 8:30 p.m on Thursday 13 & Friday 14, two shows at 7 & 10 p.m. on Saturday 15 and one show on Sunday 16 at 7:30 p.m.)
Feb – March
Diana Ross and the Supremes perform for the Chicago chapter. They are also presented a special award. This is maybe the same event as above.
March (-)
Diana Ross & the Supremes are presented a plaque award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) during the NARAS awards dinner at Chicago’s Drake Hotel.
March 18
March 19
Lead vocals on “You’re Gonna Hear From Me”.
March 20
- Lead and background vocals on “Ain’t Nothing Like Real Things” (only Diana Ross and the Supremes vocals, Temptations parts recorded later). Lead vocals on “For Better Or Worse” (with the Temptations).
- Recording session for “Discover Me” and rerecording of “The Beginning Of The End Of Love” (see also March 20 & 26, 1968) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
- Background vocals on “You’re Gonna Hear From Me”. Last studio track for Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong for the group Diana Ross & the Supremes (except for later studio recordings with the Temptations).
March 22
Benefit dinner at the Beverly Hilton in Berverly Hills, CA, to pay off Bobby Kennedy’s campaign debts. The evening is emceed by Andy Williams, with Carol Burnett, Rosey Grier and Diana Ross headlining the entertainment (and among the entertainers in the audience: Cary Grant, Dean Martin, Paul Newman and Alfred Hitchcock).
Erroneously in April in Mary Wilson "Dreamgirl" and Ribowsky "The Supremes A Saga..." p. 350.
Erroneously in April in Mary Wilson "Dreamgirl" and Ribowsky "The Supremes A Saga..." p. 350.
March 24
Recording session for “Why (Must We Fall In Love)” with the Temptations according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” but the booklet of “Joined Together: The Complete Studio Duets” confirms it’s the recording of the tracks and not the vocal sessions. (see also May 2)
March 27
- Single “The Composer” released (#27 on pop charts). (Erroneously March 25 in Diana Ross’s “Secret Of A Sparrow”).
- Benefit concert in behalf of the Urban League at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, IL (bill shared with Chuck Jackson and Willie Tyler).
- Diana Ross and the Supremes are awarded by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). The award plaque is presented by Kenny Solderblom, president of the Chicago chapter of NARAS.
April 1
Recording session for “Most Of It” (unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
It’s unclear if this song was assigned to Diana Ross or the new Supremes. This also applies to all the subsequent unreleased songs referenced in Mary Wilson’s book after March 20, 1969 as Mary and Cindy stopped recording as Diana Ross’s backup singer at that date.
It’s unclear if this song was assigned to Diana Ross or the new Supremes. This also applies to all the subsequent unreleased songs referenced in Mary Wilson’s book after March 20, 1969 as Mary and Cindy stopped recording as Diana Ross’s backup singer at that date.
April 3
Concert at the Orlando Sports Stadium in Orlando, FL. (show at 8:30 p.m.) with Gladys Knight & the Pips as opening act.
April 4-13
Engagement at the Deauville Hotel in Miami, FL, two shows nightly (9 & 12 p.m.).
All Motown artists performing on April 4 are asked to interrupt their performance to pay tribute to Martin Luther King for this first commemoration of his death.
All Motown artists performing on April 4 are asked to interrupt their performance to pay tribute to Martin Luther King for this first commemoration of his death.
April 4
See April 13 for information about “Like Hep! Special”.
April 7
Recording sessions for “I'm Just A Little Bit Nothing When Love Falls” (or titled: "I'm Just A Little Bit Nothing When Night Falls") and “Love What Have You Done To Me” (both unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” but it’s unlikely a vocal session because of the concert in Miami.
April 10
Recording sessions for “Since You Came Back” (unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” but it’s unlikely a vocal session because of the concert in Miami. (recorded by Syreeta Wright).
April 11
Diana Ross & the Supremes star the annual dinner-dance sponsored by the Suburban League at the Deauville Hotel (during the Deauville engagement).
April 13
TV show “Like Hep! Special”.
This is the first Diana Ross performance on TV without the Supremes (rebroadcast on Friday, April 3, 1970). Erroneously credited on April 4 by J. Randy Taraborrelli in “Diana” and Diana Ross’s “Secret Of A Sparrow” (April 4 could be its recording date but it would be in conflict with the engagement in Miami).
This is the first Diana Ross performance on TV without the Supremes (rebroadcast on Friday, April 3, 1970). Erroneously credited on April 4 by J. Randy Taraborrelli in “Diana” and Diana Ross’s “Secret Of A Sparrow” (April 4 could be its recording date but it would be in conflict with the engagement in Miami).
April 17
Lead vocals on “No Matter What Sign You Are” (version 1) (see also February 27 & April 19).
April 19
- Lead vocals on “Canadian Sunset”, “Autumn Leaves”. Lead vocals on “No Matter What Sign You Are” (version 2) (see also April 17).
- Recording session for “Will I” (unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
April 21-26
Engagement at the O’Keefe Center for the performing arts in Toronto, Canada.
Excerpts of the concerts and or interviews of the Supremes might have been broadcast on TV and or radio.
Excerpts of the concerts and or interviews of the Supremes might have been broadcast on TV and or radio.
April 28
Lead and background vocals on “Stubborn Kind Of Fellow”, “The Weight” (Paul Williams’ lead recorded May 1) (see also May 2) (all songs with the Temptations).
April 29
Lead and background vocals on “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” (with the Temptations) (see also May 28).
May 1
Diana Ross & the Supremes perform at the Ames Armory during the Veishea annual celebrations on the campus of the Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. (Two shows at 7 & 9:45 p.m.)
May 2
Additional group vocals on “Stubborn Kind Of Fellow”, “The Weight” (see also April 28), “I’ll Be Doggone”, background vocals on “Sing A Simple Song” (see also May 6 and June 3), (all songs with the Temptations). Leads vocals on “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, “Why (Must We Fall In Love)” (see also May 7).
May 6
Mary Wilson’s lead vocals on “Sing A Simple Song” (see also May 2), “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” at studio B.
May 7
Background vocals on “For Better Or Worse”, “Why (Must We Fall In Love)” (see also May 2) (all songs with the Temptations).
May 9
Single “No Matter What Sign You Are” released (# 31 on pop charts).
May 11
- Benefit at the Waldorf Astoria in New York for the Free Southern Theater which supports workshops in black communities. Ava Gardner and Bill Cosby are co-chairmen for the benefit and Dinah Shore, Jack Lemmon, Lena Horne, Diana Ross and Duke Ellington are for the entertainment part.
May 14-31
Engagement at the Empire Room at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. Two shows nightly at 9 p.m. & 12 p.m. except on Sundays (May 18 & May 25).
Included in the set list: “TCB” (as opening number), “Big Spender”, “No Matter What Sign You Are”, Mary Wilson solo “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In”.
Included in the set list: “TCB” (as opening number), “Big Spender”, “No Matter What Sign You Are”, Mary Wilson solo “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In”.
May 19
Recording sessions for “Though Love Has Gone”, “The Unwanted” and “Look At Where We Are” (all unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” but it’s unlikely a vocal session if not recorded in New York (engagement at the Waldorf Astoria).
May 24
Billboard announces that Diana Ross and the Supremes will split in August after their concert at the Forum in LA and that she will be replaced by Rita Wright. This information will turn out to be inaccurate.
May 26
LP “Let The Sunshine In” released (#24 on pop charts).
May 28
Additional vocals on “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” (with the Temptations) (see also April 29).
May 31
- in Melody Maker (UK newspaper), Mary Wilson announces that Diana Ross’s replacement by Tammi Terrell is just a rumor.
- TV show “The Hollywood Palace” according to most biographies but this is actually a re-broadcast of the episode aired March 8, 69 according to the Express and News from San Antonio (May 18, 1969) and TV.com.
June 1
TV show “The Ed Sullivan Show”.
No performance: Diana Ross is in the audience and takes a bow.
No performance: Diana Ross is in the audience and takes a bow.
June 2-15
Two weeks engagement at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 2 shows nightly.
During this engagement, Diana’s dogs ate rat poison during the last of the Friday 6 concerts and the rest of the engagement is cancelled (June 7-15).
Note: in Taraborrelli’s “Unauthorized Biography” (p.206) and Ribowsky’s “The Supremes, A Saga…” (p.360) it’s erroneously written that the engagement is cancelled after the second night of the engagement and the event is erroneously in June 1968 in Taraborrelli’s “Diana” (p. 94).
During this engagement, Diana’s dogs ate rat poison during the last of the Friday 6 concerts and the rest of the engagement is cancelled (June 7-15).
Note: in Taraborrelli’s “Unauthorized Biography” (p.206) and Ribowsky’s “The Supremes, A Saga…” (p.360) it’s erroneously written that the engagement is cancelled after the second night of the engagement and the event is erroneously in June 1968 in Taraborrelli’s “Diana” (p. 94).
June 3
- Recording sessions for “I Wanna Go Back There Again” (version 1 unreleased - See also July 31) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” but it’s unlikely a vocal session because of the Latin Casino engagement. It’s probably the same song than “I Want To Go Back There Again” as listed in the booklet of “Lost & Found” and maybe the recording of the track on which Diana Ross recorded vocals August 27, 1973).
- Diana Ross vocals and background vocals on “Sing A Simple Song” (with the Temptations) (see also May 2 & 6). In conflict with the Latin Casino engagement.
June 7
Diana Ross flights back to Los Angeles on a 9 a.m. jet (see June 2-15).
June 10
Recording sessions for “My Heart’s On A Trip” and “Mr. Loneliness” (both unreleased, the latter recorded by Kiki Dee) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
June 30-July 6
Engagement at the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park in Washington DC. Shows at 8:30 p.m., also with Julius Wechter and the Baja Marimba Band.
July 8-12
Engagement at the Carousel Theater in Framingham in Massachusetts, with Stevie Wonder as opening act.
July 14-19
Engagement at the Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel Township, NJ, with Stevie Wonder as opening act.
July 17
Recording sessions for “Honey Take Me” and “I’m getting Married” (both unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” but it’s unlikely a vocal session because of the concert in Holmdel.
July 18
Recording session for “Another Lonely Night” (unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” but it’s unlikely a vocal session because of the concert in Holmdel. (the track “Another Lonely Night (Completes Another Empty Day)” exists by Marv Johnson, completed in August 21, 1971 according to the site “Don’t’ Forget the Motor City, but there’s no information whether it’s the same track or not).
July 21-26
Concert at the Westbury Music Fair in New York, with Stevie Wonder as opening act. Shows at 8:30 p.m. except Friday at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
July 25
Recording sessions for “Everyday For A Lifetime” with the Temptations (unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” but it’s unlikely a vocal session if not recorded in New York because of the Westbury Music Fair engagement.
July 28-Aug 2
Engagement at the Opera House in Seattle, WA, with Stevie Wonder as guest, at 8:30 p.m. + additional show at 3 p.m. on August 2.
July 31
- Recording session for “I Wanna Go Back There Again” (version 2 – unreleased – see also June 3) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” but it’s unlikely a vocal session because of the engagement in Seattle.
- UK: TV show “Top Of The Pops”. No performance, promotional clip only.
August 3
- Concert at the Coliseum in Portland, OR.
- An Ed Sullivan Show is referenced in different biographies but this date is off season (it’s a repeat from January 5, with also Johnny Mathis and Henry Mancini).
August 7
Concert at the Stampede Grandstand in Calgary, Canada. Show at 8:30 p.m. (bill shared with the Spinners and Edwin Starr).
August 9
Concert at the Winnipeg Arena, Canada. Show at 8:30 p.m.
August 11
Diana Ross hosts a party at the Daisy Club in Beverly Hills to introduce the Jackson 5. A copy of the invitation by telegram sent by Diana Ross is reproduced in Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” and is dated August 9 on the same day they are in Canada to perform. In this telegram, Michael Jackson is aged 8 so even close members of the company were kept out of the secret of Michael’s real age!
August 12&13
Engagement at the Milwaukee - Wisconsin State Fair. (2 shows each day at 6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m. – free concerts)
Other artists performing during the fair (Aug. 8-17): Pat Boone, Eddie Albert, the Baja Marimba Band, Ed Ames, John Davidson, Johnny Cash, Liberace, James Darren and the King Family.
Other artists performing during the fair (Aug. 8-17): Pat Boone, Eddie Albert, the Baja Marimba Band, Ed Ames, John Davidson, Johnny Cash, Liberace, James Darren and the King Family.
August 15
Concert at the National Orange Show Grounds at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino, CA.
August 16
- Concert at the Forum in Ingelwood, Los Angeles, CA, with the Jackson 5 as opening act. Also on the bill: Edwin Starr and the Edwin Hawkins Singers.
- Diana Ross & the Supremes are awarded a Golden Mike at the NATRA dinner held at the Hilton Hotel in Washington (they didn’t attend the event according to the fact that they were performing at the Forum).
August 17
Concert at the International Sports Arena in San Diego, CA.
August 21
Single “The Weight” released (with the Temptations) (# 46 on pop charts).
August 25
Recording session for “I’m Going Crazy” (unreleased) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl”.
August /Sept?
TV show “GIT On Broadway” is recorded shortly after the release of the single “The Weight”.
September 7
An Ed Sullivan Show is referenced in most biographies but this date is off season (it’s a repeat).
September 22
TV show “Rowan & Martin’s “Laugh-In””. Diana Ross’s second TV appearance without the Supremes.
September 23
LP “Together” released (Diana Ross and the Supremes with the Temptations) (#28 on pop charts).
September 26
Concerts at the Meehan Auditorium at the Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. 2 shows, 7:00 and 10:30 p.m.
September 27
Concerts in Curry Hicks Cage at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, MA. 2 shows: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Diana Ross & the Supremes performing at the Curry Hicks Cage, University of Massachusetts on September 27, 1969.
September 28
Concerts at the Memorial Gym, University of Maine, in Orono, ME. 2 shows: 7 p.m. & 9:15 p.m.
October 1
Concert at the Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont (show at 8:30 p.m.).
October 2
Concert at the Montreal Forum, Montreal, QC, Canada.
October 3
Concert at the Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA. 2 shows: 7:30 p.m. & 10 p.m.
October 4
Concert at the Albany Armory in Albany, NY. (2 shows at 5 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.)
October 5
Concert at Big D Show at the Bushnell Memorial in Hartford, CT. (2 shows at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.)
These are the last concerts (except the Las Vegas engagement from December 23 to January 14, 1970) of Diana Ross with Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong according to an article in the Hartford Courant (September 14, 1969 issue)
These are the last concerts (except the Las Vegas engagement from December 23 to January 14, 1970) of Diana Ross with Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong according to an article in the Hartford Courant (September 14, 1969 issue)
October 10
Recording of the TV show “The Hollywood Palace” (broadcast on October 18).
An ambassador of the Aga Khan was at the Hollywood Palace rehearsal to present her with an award for her recording of “The Happening”, the proceeds of which benefited the world's refugees. The Khan is chairman of the benefit committee. Diana's record sold a million copies in three months after the announcement of her donation.
October 14
Single “Someday We’ll Be Together” released (# 1 on pop charts).
October 18
TV show “The Hollywood Palace”. Diana Ross and the Supremes host the show. This is also the first TV appearance of the Jackson 5.
November 3
LP “Cream Of The Crop” released (#33 on pop charts).
November 5
Recording session for “These Things Will Keep Me Loving You” (on Diana’s first solo album) according to Mary Wilson’s “Dreamgirl” but this most probably the recording of the track. The website “Don’t Forget the Motor City” gives January 05, 1970 as last session (“track completed”) at the Golden World studios (Detroit) but again this is very unlikely a vocal session as Diana Ross & the Supremes were in Las Vegas for their last engagement together.
November 7
LP “G.I.T. On Broadway” (original soundtrack of the TV show) released (Diana Ross and the Supremes with the Temptations) (#38 on pop charts).
November 11
November 12
November (-)
Diana Ross recording sessions with producer Bones Howes (“Time And Love”, “Stoney End”, “The Interim” and “Love’s Lines, Angles And Rhymes”).
Those songs went unreleased until the rerelease on CD of Diana’s first solo album “Diana Ross (1970)” in 2002, except for “The Interim” which first surfaced on a promotional LP compilation by the BBC Radioplay Music Library “Girls, Girls, Girls” around 1983 according to its catalog number (TAIR 83028) and later in 1988 on CD, again by the BBC Radioplay Music Library: “The Delectable Miss D.”.
“Time And Love” and “Stoney End” were later recorded and released in 1971 by Barbra Streisand and “Love’s Lines, Angles And Rhymes” by the 5th Dimension.
Those songs went unreleased until the rerelease on CD of Diana’s first solo album “Diana Ross (1970)” in 2002, except for “The Interim” which first surfaced on a promotional LP compilation by the BBC Radioplay Music Library “Girls, Girls, Girls” around 1983 according to its catalog number (TAIR 83028) and later in 1988 on CD, again by the BBC Radioplay Music Library: “The Delectable Miss D.”.
“Time And Love” and “Stoney End” were later recorded and released in 1971 by Barbra Streisand and “Love’s Lines, Angles And Rhymes” by the 5th Dimension.
December 2
Cindy Birdsong is kidnapped.
December 14
TV show “The Ed Sullivan Show”.
No performance: Diana Ross is in the audience and takes a bow just after the Jackson 5’s performance.
No performance: Diana Ross is in the audience and takes a bow just after the Jackson 5’s performance.
December 18
- LP “Greatest Hits Volume 3” released (#31 on pop charts).
- See December 21 about the Ed Sullivan Show.
December 21
TV show “The Ed Sullivan Show”, final performance of Diana Ross & the Supremes on this show.
Erroneously credited on December 18 by Diana Ross (which might be a rehearsal date).
Erroneously credited on December 18 by Diana Ross (which might be a rehearsal date).
Dec 23-Jan 14, 70
Engagement at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.
Last engagement of the Farewell tour.
Last engagement of the Farewell tour.
