“Let’s have fun again.” So stated the declaration emblazoned on the giant video screen at the Hollywood Bowl Friday night (July 25). And Diana Ross definitely delivered on that pledge during the first evening of her two-night engagement at the Los Angeles venue.
Belying her 81 years, the dynamic diva effortlessly underscored two things over the course of two hours. First and foremost: age definitely ain’t nothing but a number. And second, some six decades after The Supremes’ first No. 1 hit — 1964’s “Where Did Our Love Go” — the trio’s compelling lead singer is still “The Boss” when it comes to drawing and enthralling a packed house.
In fact, before launching into her 1980 classic “Upside Down,” Ross wasn’t shy about acknowledging her senior status. “You know I’m 81, right?” she slyly queried before being greeted with a chorus of raucous cheers in response.
Besides the audience, in lockstep with Ross throughout the evening was a top-notch band of musicians that included a violinist. All were dressed in white, as was the quartet of singers who lent their own sweet harmonizing to the proceedings. Even the piano was white. Spotted in the audience greeting friends before the show got underway was Ross’ daughter Tracee Ellis Ross.
Ross returns to the Hollywood Bowl again Saturday (July 26) before taking her Celebrating Timeless Classics – 2025 Tour to Saratoga, Calif. (Aug. 16), San Francisco (Aug. 17), St. Louis (Aug, 28), Atlantic City (Oct. 25) and Newark, N.J. (Oct. 27), among other stops and with more dates to be announced.
Here are five best moments from Ross’ opening night at the Hollywood Bowl.
No Opening Act: And one wasn’t missed — or needed as Ms. Ross got right down to business with a video presentation chronicling her career and life. “It took me a lifetime to get here, and I’m not going anywhere,” she noted in a voiceover as photos of her in performance flashed onscreen. Amid family photos and video footage featuring her parents and siblings (her dad in one clip describes Diana as “wild” growing up), Ross proclaims that “singing became my life.” The video then cut to photos of her with fellow Supremes Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard during their heyday. Other chapters in her illustrious career and life were also spotlighted from her solo work (including duet turns with Lionel Richie and Marvin Gaye) to film and TV projects to her children (“Having babies was the most magical for me”). In watching, you’re reminded of all Ross has accomplished. But as she emphasizes in the video, “Through it all, there’s always been music.”
Entrance Fit for a Diva: With audience anticipation mounting as the video presentation ended, Ross teased the crowd a bit further. Instead of walking onstage at that point, she was heard reciting the opening lines to her rendition of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”: “If you need me, call me/ No matter where you are, no matter how far.” Then as the band struck up the chords for “I’m Coming Out,” Ross strolled onstage — resplendent in a yellow gown with a sequined bodice and matching cape — as the Bowl audience stood up to pay homage.
A Sweet Supremes Tribute: Invoking Spiral Starecase’s 1969 Hot 100 hit “More Today Than Yesterday,” Ross sang about fellow Supremes Wilson and Ballard (“Let’s go back to the good old days,” said Ross ahead of the medley) as photos heralding the iconic girl group’s hitmaking career flashed across the video screen. It’s no surprise that the tribute sparked a Bowl-wide sing-along as dancing fans chimed in on gems such as “Baby Love” and “You Can’t Hurry Love” along with Ross’ quick take on “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” From there, the tribute smoothly segued into two more Supremes songbook classics, “Come See About Me” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.”
Red-Hot Second Half: Ross’ warm, angelic vocals were in full effect throughout the night, especially when she pivoted to signature songs from her solo career like “Touch Me in the Morning” and “Don’t Explain” — the latter from her Academy Award-nominated portrayal of jazz singer Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues. Taking a quick break an hour into her show, Ross returned wearing a red gown and matching cape to perform more memory-evoking songs such as “The Boss,” “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” (which garnered a sea of audience-waved phone lights) and “Endless Love.” Of the latter, a nearby fan was overheard saying he’d love to once hear Ross perform the song live with duet partner Lionel Richie.
A Ross Family Affair: Ross, who also sang “Tomorrow” from her latest album Thank You, introduced a special guest during the show’s second half: daughter Rhonda Ross. Rhonda performed a couple of songs, including one she wrote for Thank You titled “Count on Me.” After changing into a gold lamé gown accented by a golden coat, Ross sang her cover of Frankie Lymon’s “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” followed by “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)” and the still mesmerizing “Love Hangover” — after which her family, including daughters Tracee and Rhonda, plus grandchildren, joined a thankful Ross onstage. As she’d noted at the show’s start, “There’s nothing more magical than the energy onstage.”
