It was exactly 2 years ago that we wrote a story telling you about DIANA ROSS touring the UK, then a pandemic struck and her tour, and scheduled appearance at Glastonbury was scrapped.
The not so good news at the time, was that she had no dates in the diary to bring her to South Wales.
Well, after what we hope was a bit of a ‘Chain Reaction’ Diana has now announced some 2022 dates and we get to see her right in the heart of the city at Cardiff Castle.
For Welsh favourites ONLY MEN ALOUD this is also going to one incredible day as they have been announced as Ms Ross’ support act.
Ten is a bit of a magic number for the TEN members of the choir as it’s TEN years since they won the BBC series Last Choir Standing, and if you hadn’t noticed, the concert with Diana Ross is on the 10th June.
The guys have been around far longer than that however. Since forming in 2000 they have pretty much every major event you can think of. In 2010 they performed at the Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort. 2012 saw them delivering an unforgettable performance at the Olympics opening ceremony and of course they managed the Royal Variety Performance too.
This time it’s Motown royalty and right here in the heart of South Wales, we suspect it couldn’t really get much better for them.
CRAIG YATES is a member of the choir……
“This opportunity is huge for the group, appearing in an iconic Welsh landmark, and supporting one of the most successful recording artists of all time, we’re honoured to have been invited to perform.”
The show has joined a fantastic line up of gigs put together by Orchard Live and FKP Scorpio including Jess Glynne, Bryan Adams, Gerry Cinnamon & Lionel Richie amongst others.
Pablo Janczur is from promoters Orchard Live and told us….
‘‘it’s a dream come true to get an artist of Diana Ross’ calibre to play Cardiff Castle. We’re absolutely thrilled and can’t wait to welcome her to Cardiff.’’
The tour has been renamed to fit the tile of current album, the title track, THANK YOU, was a huge summer favourite last year and was very much a message to her fans for sticking with her through the years.
Diana actually co-wrote and curated every song on the album with a message about gratefulness. Diana worked with songwriter and producer Jack Antonoff, alongside Jimmy Napes, Tayla Parx and Spike Stent.
The track ‘Count on Me’ was written by her daughter Rhonda Ross.
It’s easy to throw words like legendary, iconic, superstar and diva around, as far as DIANA ROSS is concerned, she is all of those and so much more. Diana began her career as a member of The Supremes – who, with their unique Motown pop sound, became one of the most successful groups of the 1960s.
Following the group’s break-up, she struck out as a solo artist, achieving a number one single in 1970 with Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. Since then, she has notched up a string of hit albums and singles including Endless Love, Why Do Fools Fall in Love and Chain Reaction.
As a solo artist, Diana is one of the most successful female singers of the rock era. If you factor in her work as the lead singer of the Supremes in the 1960s, she may be the most successful. With her friends Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and Barbara Martin, she formed the Primettes vocal quartet in 1959. In 1960, they were signed to local Motown Records, changing their name to the Supremes in 1961.
Barbara then left, and the group continued as a trio. Over the next eight years, the Supremes(renamed “Diana Ross and the Supremes” in 1967, when Cindy Birdsong replaced Florence) scored 12 number one hits.
After the last one, “Someday We’ll Be Together” (October 1969), Diana launched a solo career. Motown initially paired her with writer/producers Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson (as in the song – SOLID), who gave her four Top 40 pop hits, including the number one “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (July 1970). Diana branched out into acting, starring in a film biography of Billie Holiday, Lady Sings the Blues (November 1972). The soundtrack went to number one, and Diana was nominated for an Academy Award.
As we’re listening to her music, writing this piece and looking at some of the old pictures, you can’t help but think how trailblazing the Supremes were. Maybe there wouldn’t have been a Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child?
Actually, two years ago, Beyoncé serenaded Diana at her 75th birthday bash and by all accounts was incredible.
The arena tour will see Diana perform in London, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham. Now a Cardiff Castle date is added on Friday 10th June. So far this is the only open-air gig, although we understand her previously scheduled Eden gig could well be back on.
Tickets are now on sale, prices are around £96 with hospitality tickets weighing in at around £261.
Diana has however asked that a mandatory charitable donation has been added to the ticket price so that £1 after tax goes to a UK charity of her choice.
At the moment the best places to get them seems to be here – DIANA ROSS.
The rest of the tour schedule looks like this…..
Tue June 14 2022 – MANCHESTER AO Arena
Wed June 15 2022 – LEEDS first direct Arena
Fri June 17 2022 – GLASGOW SSE Hydro
Sat June 18 2022 – LIVERPOOL M&S Bank Arena
Mon June 20 2022 – BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena
Thu June 23 2022 – LONDON O2 Arena
Fri June 24 2022 – LONDON O2 Arena