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Post by mpn1jco on Nov 4, 2016 19:03:58 GMT
Even with the full thrust of the Motown machine behind her in the 70s, Ross' album sales were not as stellar as you may think. Top ten hits can be a scam because they are not based just on sales. I heard that Berry Gordy paid to get fake placements on the charts for Ross. I also heard that Berry was doing the same around Ross' renewal in 1981. Instead it backfired, making Ross think that she was that popular.
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Post by Jean Genie on Nov 4, 2016 19:06:16 GMT
THE SUPREMES / DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES - USA ALBUM SALES
Note: Things that are not included below:
* bootlegs and/or counterfeit releases
* promotion-only and/or giveaway-only releases
* interview-only and/or spoken word-only releases unless they've been released by THE SUPREMES's record company or specifically licensed by them
* 'Various Artists' and Collaboration releases ('Supremes & Temptations, 'Supremes & Four Tops', etc)
* EP or Mini-Album releases (album must contain at least 7 SUPREMES or at least 30 minutes of SUPREMES music)
* Export Sales: albums made in USA but shipped overseas to be sold in other countries
Album titles that are underlined are those that are nearing or awaiting an RIAA award, or an award upgrade
Yr.....Chart...Last Cert....Album Title.......................................RIAA Award.....Album Sales.....Comments/Notes
Rel...Peak....by RIAA
1962....-----....none....Meet The Supremes...........................................................150,000.....M-606, 146k thru 1988 (Motown data)
1964....002....none....Where Did Our Love Go..................................................3,275,000.....M-621, 3.22m thru 1988 (Motown data), 89/19w
1964....021....none....A Bit Of Liverpool................................................................850,000.....M-623, 839k thru 1988 (Motown data), 21/0w
1965....079....none....Sing Country, Western And Pop.........................................200,000.....M-625, 178k thru 1988 (Motown data), 8/0w
1965....075....none....We Remember Sam Cooke................................................325,000.....M-629, 306k thru 1988 (Motown data), 19/0w
1965....006....none....More Hits By The Supremes............................................1,675,000.....M-627, 1.64m thru 1988 (Motown data), 37/4w
1965....011....none....At The Copa.....................................................................1,350,000.....M-636, 1.32m thru 1988 (Motown data), 54/0w, inc Pickwick
1965....-----....none....Merry Christmas..................................................................600,000.....M-638, #6 Holiday Chart
1966....008....none....I Hear A Symphony..........................................................1,900,000.....M-643, 1.89m thru 1988 (Motown data), 55/6w
1966....001....none....Supremes A' Go-Go.........................................................3,500,000.....M-649, 3.47m thru 1988 (Motown data), 60/15w
1967....006....none....Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland............................................1,525,000.....M-650, 1.52m thru 1988 (Motown data), 29/5w
1967....020....none....Sing Rodgers & Hart............................................................500,000.....M-659, 486k thru 1988 (Motown data), 18/0w
1967....001....none....Greatest Hits (Volumes 1 & 2)..........................................6,200,000.....M-663, 5.97m thru 1988 (Motown data), 85/24w
1968....018....none....Reflections...........................................................................750,000.....M-665, 724k thru 1988 (Motown data), 27w
1968....150....none....Sing And Perform 'Funny Girl'..............................................225,000.....M-672, 217k thru 1988 (Motown data), 1w
1968....057....none....Live At London's Talk Of The Town.....................................400,000.....M-676, 382k thru 1988 (Motown data), 18w
1968....014....none....Love Child............................................................................700,000.....M-670, 683k thru 1988 (Motown data), 19w
1969....024....none....Let The Sunshine In.............................................................625,000.....M-689, 602k thru 1988 (Motown data),18w
1969....033....none....Cream Of The Crop..............................................................575,000.....M-694, 566k thru 1988 (Motown data), 19w
1969....031....none....Greatest Hits, Volume 3....................................................1,275,000.....M-702, 1.22m thru 1988 (Motown data), 24w
1970....046....none....Farewell................................................................................275,000.....M-708, 2LP/1cd, 16w
1970....025....none....Right On...............................................................................225,000.....M-705, 19w
1970....068....none....New Ways But Love Stays...................................................150,000.....M-720, 17w
1971....085....none....Touch....................................................................................100,000.....M-737, 8w
1972....054....none....Flow Joy................................................................................150,000.....M-751, 14w
1972....129....none....Produced & Arranged By Jimmy Webb.................................100,000.....M-756, 11w
1974....-----....none....Baby Love................................................................................50,000.....Pickwick SPC-3383, deleted late 70's
1974....066....1986....Anthology............................................................Gold........1,100,000.....M-794, 982k thru 1988 (Motown data) 3LP, 1-disc multi
1975....-----....none....Diana Ross & The Supremes..................................................35,000.....Sessions-Audio Research ARI-5001, 3LP, TV-marketed
1975....152....none....The Supremes.........................................................................70,000.....M-852, 0w
1976....042....none....High Energy...........................................................................125,000.....M-863, 15w
1976....-----....none....Mary, Scherrie & Susaye.........................................................50,000.....M-873
1976....-----....none....Super Supremes......................................................................40,000.....Pickwick PTP-2089, 2LP, deleted late 70's
1978....-----....none....The Supremes At Their Best...................................................30,000.....M-904
1980....-----....none....Motown Superstar Series, Vol. 1.............................................30,000.....M-5101
1982....-----....none....Captured Live On Stage..........................................................50,000.....M-5278, 1970 "Farewell" album re-titled
1983....-----....none....Great Songs And Performances .............................................30,000.....M-5313
1984....-----....none....20 Greatest Hits.......................................................................30,000.....M-6073, cd-only, Command Performances Series
1985....-----....none....Greatest Hits, Volume 1.........................................................100,000.....M-5357, tape-only, good seller
1985....-----....none....Greatest Hits, Volume 2.........................................................100,000.....M-5358, tape-only, good seller
1985....-----....none....Motown Legends....................................................................125,000.....M-5361, including '93 edition
1985....-----....none....Diana Ross & The Supremes Sing Motown.............................30,000.....M-5371
1986....112....none....25th Anniversary....................................................................500,000.....M-5381, 429k thru 1988 (Motown data) 3LP (2CD), 17w
1986....-----....none....2 Classic Albums: Where Did + Symphony..............................25,000.....M-8005, 1cd
1986....-----....none....2 Classic Albums: Love Child + A' Go-Go................................25,000.....M-8021, 1cd
1986....-----....none....2 Classic Albums: Cream Crop + Sunshine In.........................25,000......M-8032, 1cd
1987....-----....none....Every Great #1 Hit....................................................................75,000.....M-9038
1987....-----....none....The Rodgers & Hart Collection.................................................20,000.....M-9074, different than the 1967 Lp
1987....-----....none....The Never-Before-Released Masters.......................................30,000.....M-9075
1987....-----....none....The Supremes: 1963-1969.....................................................180,000.....Time Life-2540, 2LP/1CD, TV/mail-order, good seller
1988....-----....none....Love Supreme: Very Best Of....................................................25,000.....Motown ZL-72701
1988....-----....none....Where Did Our Love Go...........................................................30,000.....MOTC-3719, tape-only, different to the '64 album
1989....-----....none....You Keep Me Hangin' On.........................................................30,000.....MOTC-3744, tape-only
1989....-----....none....Come See About Me................................................................25,000.....MOTC-3746, tape-only
1989....-----....none....Someday We'll Be Together.....................................................25,000.....MOTC-3748, tape-only
1991....-----....none....Greatest Hits And Rare Classics - 1970's................................25,000.....MOTD-5087
1995....-----....none....Best Of Diana Ross & The Supremes....................................125,000.....Motown 530511, 2cd
1997....-----....none....The Ultimate Collection.............................................................60,000.....Motown 530828
1999....200....none....Millennium Collection: Best Of................................................625,000.....616k-SScanApr14
2000....-----....none....The Supremes: Box..................................................................15,000.....12k-SScanDec03, 4cd/5cd versions
2001....-----....none....Anthology..................................................................................75,000.....2cd, 50 tracks, different to 1974 album
2002....-----....none....The 70's Anthology...................................................................10,000.....Motown Chronicles-44064127, 2cd
2002....-----....none....Sing Rodgers & Hart - Complete Recordings.............................5,000.....Motown
2003....072....none....The No. 1's..............................................................................500,000.....467k-SScanDec12
2003....-----....none....Best Of The Supremes: Christmas Collection...........................40,000.....20th Century Masters Series
2004....-----....none....There's A Place For Us: Unreleased & More..............................5,000.....HipO-2663, limited to 5k
2004....-----....none....The Supremes In Japan..............................................................2,000.....HipO-3184, US debut of '73 Japan LP, limited to 5k
2004....-----....none....Where Did Our Love Go - 40th Anniversary Ed........................10,000.....HipO, 2cd, limited to 10k - sold out
2005....-----....none....Gold...........................................................................................60,000.....Motown, 2cd
2006....-----....none....This Is The Story-70's Albums, Vol 1: 1970-73...........................5,000.....HipO-5938, 3cd, limited to 5k-sold out
2007....-----....none....Forever The Supremes..............................................................30,000.....Madacy Special Markets, 3cd
2008....-----....none....Let The Music Play: Supreme Rarities 1960-69........................10,000.....HipO-3263, 2cd
2009....142....none....The Definitive Collection............................................................70,000.....7k-SScanMar09
2010....-----....none....Meet The Supremes - Expanded Edition.....................................4,000.....Hip-O Select, 2cd, limited to 10k
2011....-----....none....Let Yourself Go-70's Albums, Vol 2: 1974-77..............................2,000.....Hip-O Select, 1cd, limited to 5k
2011....-----....none....More Hits By The Supremes - Expanded Ed...............................3,000.....Hip-O Select, 2cd, limited to 5k
2011....-----....none....The Singles Collection 1961-69...................................................5,000.....Hip-O Select, 3cd, limited to 7k
2012....-----....none....I Hear A Symphony - Expanded Edition.......................................2,000.....Hip-O Select, 2cd
2012....-----....none....At The Copa - Expanded Edition..................................................2,000.....Hip-O Select, 2cd + domestic US sales of foreign-pressed albums........................................................350,000
TOTAL US ALBUM SALES..................................................................................32,650,000
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Post by Jean Genie on Nov 4, 2016 19:08:30 GMT
TOTAL US ALBUM SALES For Diana Ross.................................................................................15,175,000
Yes, Whitney Houston sold more with her debut album than Diane did in her entire career.
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Post by Jean Genie on Nov 4, 2016 19:13:44 GMT
There are myths that are taken as truth. Diana Ross sold 100 million records in her career. Try 20 with worldwide sales. The Supremes singles did not sell as much as you may think. Here are the myths compared with actual sales. Don't believe all you read in Wikipedia.
100 Million Claimed Sales 50. The Who, 23.2 million Total Certified Units 49. Depeche Mode, 23.2 million Total Certified Units 48. Kiss, 26.7 million Total Certified Units 47. Tina Turner, 31.4 million Total Certified Units 46. Cher, 34.2 million Total Certified Units 45. Olivia Newton-John, 34.9 million Total Certified Units 44. Lionel Richie, 35.2 million Total Certified Units 43. Bryan Adams, 39.5 million Total Certified Units 42. The Carpenters, 40.8 million Total Certified Units 41. George Michael, 41.4 million Total Certified Units 40. Janet Jackson, 48.1 million Total Certified Units 100 Million Claimed Sales 39. Julio Iglesias, 48.2 million Total Certified Units 38. Kenny Rogers, 57.7 million Total Certified Units 37. Guns N' Roses, 61.7 million Total Certified Units 36. Britney Spears, 64.9 million Total Certified Units 35. Rod Stewart, 67.4 million Total Certified Units 34. Fleetwood Mac, 70.3 million Total Certified Units 33. Metallica, 81.2 million Total Certified Units 115-120 Million Claimed Sales 32. Neil Diamond, 63.2 million Total Certified Units 120 Million Claimed Sales 31. Dire Straits, 42.7 million Total Certified Units 30. Bruce Springsteen, 92.2 million Total Certified Units 29. Eagles, 127.5 million Total Certified Units 122-128 Million Claimed Sales 28. Chicago, 47.6 million Total Certified Units 27. Garth Brooks, 165.4 million Total Certified Units 130 Million Claimed Sales 26. Bon Jovi, 63.9 million Total Certified Units 25. Backstreet Boys, 65.8 million Total Certified Units 140 Million Claimed Sales 24. David Bowie, 22.6 million Total Certified Units 23. Barbra Streisand, 93 million Total Certified Units 150 Million Claimed Sales 22. Stevie Wonder, 29.5 million Total Certified Units 21. Frank Sinatra, 35.4 million Total Certified Units 20. Genesis, 38.6 million Total Certified Units 19. Aerosmith, 79.2 million Total Certified Units 18. Phil Collins, 82.4 million Total Certified Units 17. Billy Joel, 97.6 million Total Certified Units 16. U2, 99.2 million Total Certified Units 170 Million Claimed Sales 15. Whitney Houston, 95.5 million Total Certified Units 200 Million Claimed Sales 14. Bee Gees, 63.2 million Total Certified Units 13. The Rolling Stones, 89.5 million Total Certified Units 12. AC/DC, 99.3 million Total Certified Units 11. Pink Floyd, 110.2 million Total Certified Units
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Post by jobeterob on Nov 4, 2016 20:38:51 GMT
This is the way I understand the entire ordeal:
1) Scott Sanders (a promoter and good friend of Diana's) suggested that Diana add a Supremes "segment" to her upcoming tour featuring Mary and Cindy. Diana liked the idea and Scott took it to Arthur Fogel of TNA/SFX Entertainment (now mega-giant Live Nation) who also liked the idea. Due to the event nature of this historic Supremes Reunion, everyone involved felt they could make loads of money on this venture so they decided the tour would be of an arena-nature to maximize profits and an opportunity for all the fans to be able to see the Supremes live. The rumor mill begins and the press has a field day calling it a "full" reunion tour. I personally was beyond ecstatic! The Supremes were finally going to reunite and I could see them live for the very first time. Of course a true reunion of the Supremes could never be with the death of Florence Ballard, but Cindy Birdsong was with the group during its 1960s heyday, so it is legitimate to truly bill this show as Diana Ross and the Supremes. I had also made up my mind to see this concert more than once because I love them so much. I assume many other die-hard Supremes fans felt the same way. According to Mary, this decision was made in early summer 1999 without her being contacted. Mistake #1.
2) Months go by and Mary is still not contacted. Diana begins pre-production for the tour and oddly enough decides she want latter-day Supreme Scherrie Payne to sing backup. I have heard 2 reports that Scherrie would either sing offstage to boost Mary and Cindy's sound or that she would sing on stage in the dark with 2 other backup singers. Mistake #2
3) Scott contacts Scherrie who willingly accepts and suggests having a tour with all former living Supremes. Scott takes the idea to Diana who agrees. Mary is still not contacted. Mistake #3
4) Fogel and TNA/SFX like the idea as well and work up the talent fees. I also understand they conducted a poll to decide which of the former Supremes had the highest name recognition. I believe Cindy Birdsong came out on top since her name is so unique. Mary Wilson came in 3rd or 4th and is often confused with Mary Wells. It is decided that each former Supreme would be offered 1 million dollars for 30 shows. This figure was guaranteed no matter how many shows even if under 30. Diana was to get the lion's share of the talent fee as I believe she was named a co-executive producer of the tour and would have to fork out some of her own money for production fees. Diana creates set lists, costumes and decides (since this is going to be huge) she wants dancers and a full orchestra for 1960s "authenticity." Mary is still not contacted.
5) Mary begins an overseas tour of the UK with other Motown artists, fall 1999. The other former Supremes are contacted and Jean Terrell and Susaye Greene are somewhat hesitant because of the harsh and aggressive tone of the negotiating team. According to Susaye and Scherrie, all former Supremes are made the offer and in early December were to fly to New York to discuss the tour and a possible photo shoot. Mary (who was living in New York at the time) gets wind of the tour preparations and tells her manager to contact whomever is putting the tour together to state that she won't participate because she was not contacted within a reasonable amount of time. She also felt as a founding member, she should have had some creative say in how the show (or segment) would be put together. Diana is contacted about this and calls Mary the next day (early December). Apparently the conversation did not go well at all. Mary suggests they get together to repair their relationship and discuss the tour. Diana flat-out refuses and wants to get the business done first. Mistake #4. Mary is offended and they argue. She only wants Cindy on the tour, not the other Supremes. The call ends with Diana turning the negotiations over to TNA/SFX.
6) There is a snowstorm in New York the day all the former Supremes are to fly in to discuss the tour. Mary is away on tour. TNA/SFX try to do the discussion in Los Angeles and invite Jean Terrell, Susaye Greene, Lynda Laurence, Scherrie Payne and Cindy Birdsong to "audition" for the tour. Mistake #5. Jean is terribly offended and refuses. Susaye is also offended yet heads to the rehearsal space anyway. Scherrie and Lynda have already done their spot. No word on Cindy Birdsong, however she later stated was treated poorly by the negotiators.
7) Mary flat out refuses the 1 million dollar offer. It was later upped to 2 million. She refuses again, knowing Diana will make at least 12 million. Diana is pissed. TNA baits Mary with a "possible" offer of 3 million. Diana "supposedly doubled Mary's offer to 4 million, however that was never confirmed. Cindy Birdsong's salary remained at approximately 1 million. She sided with Mary as far as the negotiations because they basically come as a "package." Haggling continues back and forth. Diana never calls Mary again nor meets her to discuss anything regarding the tour. Mistake #6. Mary is still overseas and the final offer comes: 3 million for Mary, 1.5 million for Cindy. Diana's offer of 4 million never materialized yet she stated it on 20/20. Mary agreed that the other Supremes could be involved on some level, but she wanted a say in how the tour would be staged. Despite everything, Mary accepts the final offer at the last minute because of the deadline and Diana rejects it for reasons unknown. That means Cindy is out too.
8) Diana decides not to have the Supremes at all, but the production and promotion have already started. She decides that since Scherrie and Lynda are bona fide Supremes, they will be recruited to do the tour. Mistake #7 (and the biggest one in my opinion)
9) Now the back and forth arguing continues between Mary and Diana in the media with Mary calling it a bogus reunion while Diana insists it is authentic because of Lynda and Scherrie's Motown contracts. Since Scherrie and Lynda never sang with Diana, yet alone shared even one minute of studio time, the premise of a union/reunion is indeed bogus. Diana was trying to promote a faux or discounted product with all too real ticket prices.
10) When I found out about the intended lineup, I declined to attend as did many Supremes fans. The press cited foul, called Lynda and Scherrie scabs (which they technically were because Mary and Cindy were willing to negotiate in good faith for a fair deal) and dogged Diana for putting together such a sham.
11) The tour goes out and sells poorly. TNA also tried to force Diana into a long-term contract with the company which she refused. As much as I love Diana and feel she is one of the greatest entertainers in history, she was dead wrong in trying to pull this tour off. I place the blame squarely on her shoulders. She should have met with Mary personally to put their past issues behind them and discuss the tour privately before turning anything over to negotiators. What could have been an EXPLOSIVE reunion tour turned to mud after a few performances.
12) Nobody came out of this in a positive light. Everyone involved was utterly disappointed. Greed and ego were responsible for this mess. Unfortunately the time has come and gone for any sort of reunion. Cindy will be 73 this year and no longer performs in public. It still makes me sad. I wanted to see them together so badly. Now all we have are memories and Youtube.
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Post by Walk The Line on Nov 4, 2016 20:42:16 GMT
The tour's opening night, June 14 in Philadelphia, found 7,000 empty seats in the 16,000-capacity First Union Spectrum. On Sunday the 18,000-seat Nat Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was only one-third full.
"The black community in Detroit has an intense belief that they've been done wrong by Diana." — Susan Whitall, author of "The Women of Motown"
Sales in other markets have been similar, and observers blame the small crowds on exorbitant ticket prices — up to $251.75, not including service charges — and a feeling among longtime fans that Ross hasn't done right by former members of the legendary Motown group.
"People in this town have long memories," said Susan Whitall, a reporter for the Detroit News and author of the 1998 book "The Women of Motown." "The black community in Detroit has an intense belief that they've been done wrong by Diana."
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Post by Walk The Line on Nov 4, 2016 20:45:19 GMT
Shoulda never happened like that. From the git-go, it should have been billed honestly, as "Diana Ross, with Supremes Scherrie Payne & Linda Lawrence". Names on the marquee would have gone a long way towards legitimizing all the talents, and offering respect for the group, without necessitating equal shares of the loot. She should have pitched it as, "here's your chance to make some 21st-Century-sized tour money, and help the fans reconcile their love of the group with the bad blood I'm trying to put behind us". This would have given her license to work in more solo stuff, and justify her larger share of the pie. It was Berry Gordy who made her a star above her partners, and although the original members can blame her for being a b**** about it, they could at least see her as trying to start making it right with them and their rightful legacy. Also, dedicating a portion of the tour reciepts to causes (or a trust) that would benefit the original members in some way, would have been another fine P.R. step in the right direction. The truth is, Diana Ross was not trying to put bad blood behind them. She was playing a game of "Get Back"! She failed miserably. She doesn't tell you that she went to see the "Former Ladies of the Supremes" aka "The FLOS" in concert in Vegas in 1998 as sort of a scouting trip for her soon to be planned "Supremes Reunion" tour. That was the very first time she made an effort to catch their act. There were people there that were eyewitnesses to Diana's "recruitment" efforts. She never planned to have Mary Wilson or Cindy Birdsong on tour with her. She did all those machinations just to be able to tell the fans she tried. Actually she lied! How do you suppose that they had all the costumes and routines ready for Lynda & Scherrie just weeks before the Tour launched and Mary Wilson's offer of $4 million was turned down with a "Sorry, but the train has already left the station...."? Even Berry Gordy got involved to try to negotiate on behalf of Mary and Cindy Birdsong but those mother fuckers acting as promoters and Diana were not having it! I am so glad that they lost a lot of money and she ruined what was left of her reputation and career. For being such a major asshole, she is now just another touring Oldies act and not even a very good one! No one is interested in interviewing her or having her on television in America. Ross told ABC’s “20/20” that she desperately tried to get Wilson to go on tour with her to reunite the Supremes, but was turned down flat.
“I think if we had offered her the moon, she would not have been happy. I don’t think she’s happy,” Ross says.
“She’s coming from a place of being angry, envious, jealous – there was nothing anyone could do to kind of make her happy.”
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Post by hector on Nov 4, 2016 21:04:01 GMT
Ms Ross was only ever as good as the songwriters & producers hired to work with her. Berry Gordy always made sure she given the best, and so her music was generally excellent. Once she left Motown she managed 2 or 3 decent albums (utilizing the likes of Michael Jackson & the Bee Gees along the way) and then the game was up. Her dreadful MOR output of the 90s was inexplicably popular in the UK Diana Ross never made it to the 90s as far as the U.S. is concerned.
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Post by hector on Nov 4, 2016 21:07:01 GMT
Ross could play mid size venues 5 to 7,000 prior to RTL. So, with a fake reunion tour, she was to fill up 19,000 to 20,000 arenas? Yeah right. She now plays 1,800 venues. In order to fill up those 19,000 to 20,000 arenas, she needed Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong! People would have paid whatever price for tickets asked.
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Post by hector on Nov 4, 2016 21:17:42 GMT
The public does not like Ross first and foremost because she cannot sing. Factor in being an obnoxious cunt...wanting to be White...dating only White men afterwards. That video that was posted was the WORST thing I have ever heard. She has the range of like a half note. Amen to all of that because no one including her die-hard fans can dispute any of it! I think they make me dislike her more than I already do with all of their bullshit!
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Post by hector on Nov 4, 2016 21:21:52 GMT
O.K. Ross turned Mary Wilson's offer down flat for 4 million but she was supposed to get 20 million? She just gave the public documented proof that she is a dirt bag. Exactly! Those dueling interviews that they gave on ABC at the time showed that Mary won with having the higher number of viewers than Ross had. Diana Ross is such an idiot. Mary said during her interview on 20/20 Downtown that "There is something about Diane that I've known since we were 13 years old and that is she does not like to share. She likes everything for herself". Fast forward to that Friday night and Diana Ross' 20/20 interview and one of the first things out of her mouth was "You see she (Mary Wilson) is out there singing MY songs!". The dumb cow proved that what Mary Wilson had said was 100% true!
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