Diana Ross @ Central Park 1983 - show opening

[TheTimeless11]

I remember watching this on tv with my boyfriend, he took his shirt off for me and YES he had muscles!! He was hot...

[karelleimena]

@TheTimeless11 share it with us ;-)

[TheTimeless11]

@karelleimena LOL, only in my mind!

[Kevin198898]

when she said in the rain that Thursday July 22nd 1983 They were saying in her ear to get off the stage they were worried about her being electricuted she said it took her a life time to get there she isn't going anywhere she was very worried of the fans it was dark the lights on her and them too keep them from pushing and sholving and hurting one another i honor her for being there for fans princess Diana Ross am always her number 1 fan

[Kevin198898]

@Kevin198898 i meant Thursday July 21st 1983

[UTFan666]

Not sure if anyone knows, or remembers, this, but she did a make up concert because of the rain and donated, I think, about 10k to the city as well.

That means she put on almost 2 free concerts and paid out of her own pockets to help the city and with the park clean up.

You don't find that kinda of class in celebrates anymore.

[letronthedivo]

SO INSPIRED OMG!!! SOOO AMAZING!  CLASS ACT!

[vinobody]

@letronthedivo u sound like Simon Cowell

[sammy7819]

You go Ms. Diana Ross, Love Her!!!

[nebbscorner]

I mom was at this concert.

[lewisstretch]

I was there. I had on my batman binoculars. lol We partied hard that day. So much fun.

[444Bam]

oooh yeah -I was there

[offdahook2]

Diana Ross is a fcuking QUEEN!!!!!!!!!! Love her!

[bigblatino]

I remember this day like yesterday. I was 18 years-old and lived in Manhattan, not too far from Central Park. I went and camped out at the park the night before. There were hundreds of other people with the same idea. That day was magical and the concert, until the rain, was great. Even after the rain I didn't want to leave. I was right up front and didn't have to look on the screen to see her. Long live Diana Ross!

[warrens67]

@ mistercrazylegs im with you on that. Even tho i wasn't actually there the concert stay with me. I mean this amazing woman in front of a sea of roaring people. While a tropical storm races towards the great lawn, she stands to challenge of it for her devoted fans who refuses also to leave the park. A "GODDESS" indeed to behold, theres no other like her.

[warrens67]

@ mr.jeffw223 yesssir the opening of the show hearing the sounds of the crowd and then she graces the stage. "OH WOW" what an amazing memory that i'll never forget. I wanted so bad to go, i was a junior in high school in New Jersey. But i caught news footage highlights i remember it like yesterday watching an amazing "GODDESS". She says to hundreds of thousands "HELLO NEW YORK" and then the crowd responds so passionately. This is by far the most awesome concert i've ever seen before.

[warrens67]

@ keezie27 without a doupt the best indeed. The Original Queen Of Entertainment "DIANA ROSS" truely the "BOSS" yup! Yup!

[warrens67]

@ jumpstreet1983 you is so rite. Ignorance unfortunately will always be around, Queen Miss Ross is simply one of a kind. Exquisite talent like hers is hard to come by, Whitney Houston is another one inspite of her drug problems. These women are truely the "ULTIMATE SUPREME DIVA'S" they can't be denied the best of female entertainer's.

[SoniaFromCypressBx]

I WAS THERE AND IT WAS NICE UNTIL THE RAIN!

[Kevin198898]

i wish we can have all parts of day one Diana Ross Central Park Concert

[SpazChat]

AND THIS WAS FREE??!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!

[Maatization]

THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER. SHE IS A MINDBLOWER. WHAT TALENT AND PRESENCE. OPRAH SAID THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT SHE COULD PAY DIANA IS THAT "HER CHILDREN ADORE HER". I THINK THEY ARE IN AWE OF HER LIKE THE REST OF US. I LOVE HER.

[RikanFlavah]

I was there to that concert, it was unique and special, but it got cancel DUE A STORMY POURING RAIN and she anonce a 2nd day at central park for FREE. IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE IT WAS OVER CROUDED AND PPL GOT HURT, BUT THE NEXT DAY IT WAS BEATIFUL AND IT WAS FULLLLLLL. LUV IT, THIS BRING ME SO MUCH MEMORIES, i WAS 17 AT THE TIME, VERY NATIVE AND HUNGRY OF LEARNING...LUV HER!

[daonly]

I remember watching this a a kid live on showtime as a kid first concert I ever watch! and I got the chance to meet and talk to her as a normal person.. lol

[JumpStreet1983]

I was born in 1983, and I wish I could have been there when this happened. Many books love to point out the shortcomings of the Queen, but she's human (as we all are). However, her inner fire overshadows her minor mistakes. Her greatest accomplishments are behind her: there's nothing left to prove. She can relax now and perform for sport, and continue to reign in musical excellence.

[AlovesMJ]

she looks amazing

[DJPAULETTEREAL]

I remember this being on Tv and wishing i was old enough to be there in the crowd. Beautiful moment whrn it rains later and she purses her lips and blows sexily on the crowd to dry them. There is only on Miss Ross! Happy birthday you beautiful, inspiring lady!!!

[Keezie27]

Diana is the best! THE BOSS love her

[RenMarieAustinMusic]

She's the baddest!

[RenMarieAustinMusic]

This can never be topped!

[Tritano]

@RenMarieAustinMusic you know what you might be right. I was just sitting here remembering when i watched this on TV as a kid and I can't recall anyone doing anything quite like that since :-)

[nancydrew5]

I was there in my moma's womb! Yeah me! :)

[AlovesMJ]

@nancydrew5 cool :D

[MrJeffw223]

The roar of the crowd when she appears from under the feathers was out of this world

And the entire New York city all hailed the boss !

[MisterCrazyLegs]

I was 14, and my Moms brother and his lover took me to this show...how do you forget something like this? I remember this opening like it was yesterday. The tribal vibe from the dancers was kinda surreal and showed another side to Diana..I remember the smell of weed...I recall how LOUD the crowd was. I remember seeing drag queens by the hundreds..I SAW DUSTIN HOFFMAN AND RICHARD GERE!!. And it was the first and last time I ever saw Diana Ross. I wouldnt sell my memory of this show, for ANYTHING.

[michaeld5]

@MisterCrazyLegs Were you attacked by the roving packs of youth that assaulted crowd goers after the concert had been called because of the rain??

[MisterCrazyLegs]

@MisterCrazyLegs  No, but I do remember seeing the Latin Kings, there. I never saw so much black and gold, before. My uncles' lover was a HUGE dude...6'7", easily 240 lbs or so. I was on his shoulders until the rain came. So, I felt safe. Sitting on his shoulders, I saw EVERYTHING. For whatever reason, I didnt see the gang members doing anything wrong. That dont mean they didnt, but I didnt see anything. The most illegal thing I saw was some snorting coke and pot smoking.

[kdrayf01]

was there really 800000 people there because it dosent look like like it . but she is so good she would attract that many people

[bigblatino]

Her body was fucking amazing!!!! But yes, that was rain dance. I was there both days. Long live Diana Ross!

[macuser5555]

3 words. SIMPLY AMAZING LADY!!

[MrJeffw223]

100% Legendary performer. No one can dethrone her then or now.

[tofelt]

MANNNNNNNNNN. I WAS THERE. BOTH CONCERTS!!!!!!!! OMG. you dont know what it was like: THAT ERA. not just DR, but the CITY, NEW YORK, bursting with ENERGY, CREATIVITY. it was truly a MAGNIFICENT time to be ALIVE. and she took it all to ANOTHER LEVEL. im NOT living in the PAST, i am INSPIRED by it to do what i MUST DO TODAY. ALLLL GLORY TO GOD ALMIGHTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LeoBiker67]

I was there in the rain. My cousin was one of the african dancers opening the show. The journey out of Central Park to the subway and back home in all of that rain was an experience i'll never forget and so was that concert. Watching her sing in the rain, and the crowd loving it all was amazing.

[whatigot2say]

Whitney Houston, mariah Carey, Beyonce, or whoever else was supposed to have detrhroned Diana Ross as the ultimate Diva couldn't even come to close to pulling something like this off. Diana Rains (reigns) Supreme

[atomicnumber78]

Diana - Just Bad! Gotta Love her. What a performer.

[Loumademe]

That was a straight up rain dance. LOL! Awesome opening. Thanks, L.

[xSiouXBoix]

I wonder if everyone in the audience bought a copy of the ROSS album.

[konumers]

I've thought long and hard on this but I think Diana hit her peak in beauty in that orange beaded jumpsuit with wrap.  When the clouds darken and the wind is blowing her hair and the wrap...absolutely majestic

[saalihah]

one of my most cherished memories

[ederrick987]

ONE OF THE GREATEST OUT DOOR CONCERT OF ALL TIME..... WHEN A LONE SINGER CAN HOLD THE ATTENTION OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITHOUT ALL THE OTHER STAGE GIMMICKS THAT TODAY'S ENTERTAINERS USE, CLEARLY CATAPULTED DIANA ROSS INTO THE STRATOSPHERE OF SUPER STARDOM AND LEGION ....

[Damein]

that body .. that hair .. that voice .. bow down

[doug5574]

I met a girl at this concert who I married in the park 2 years later and who is sitting here watching this with me 27 years later. Thank you, Diana!

[offdahook2]

@doug5574 that's a beautiful thing......diana makes magic happen all the time. bless you guy and continued happeness!

[mikel3363]

There is something so beautiful in Diana's soul that goes beyond all the petty human judgements of her mistakes, her temperament and her limitations. This woman was born to perform and to communicate, which is a loving gift she has given generously for many decades now. She has shown by example the virtues of hard work, vital energy, perseverance, setting goals & creating dreams, beautiful values and personal transformation. Let's honor Diana Ross and hold her up to the Light with Love***

[NilesNL69]

@mikel3363 - beautifully put, thank you for your observation.

[SpazChat]

@mikel3363 Don't worry about those that put her down and make silly and ignorant accusations. It's only the losers that don't like her and the wonderful musical and creative talent she has been. There's never been anyone like her, and there hasn't been anyone since.

[gabbis]

@mikel3363 She´s just a African-American woman in it for the money, just as Madonna is an Italian-American woman who is just the same, what is the different...

Well they were both very driven from the beginning...

[supremester2]

@mikel3363 I'm 56 and have been with Miss Ross since 1964 - 47 Years! The last 12 months have been the worst 12 months of my life, but one bright spot - VERY bright spot is Diana Ross. Whatever she is to whoever, she has been a source of energy for me since I first heard Baby Love on the radio that fall evening in my room. I loved what you wrote-much more eloquent and succinct that my words- but exactly my thoughts. Her force, more fierce than ever, will be cross country this fall - bring it on!

[SpazChat]

@mikel3363 Now if she would only learn how to drive a car, she'd be perfect

[Aboutjohn747]

I seen Diana Ross Live at the Weshter Premier Thater in Tarrytown NY. She was great. But I also seen Sammy Davis Jr. 3 times in Manhatten. I still fell Sammy was the best entainer in the world,went from rock bottom to the top.

[knightd12]

@Aboutjohn747 And exactly what does this video have to do with Sammy Davis Jr?

I`m just asking. :)

[masc6feet1man]

The First Lady of Music

[fmh1965]

Miss Ross was indeed a QUEEN in this video. True control and sophistication.

[italoman9]

GAWD she was weird during this era...but really at the peak of her beauty and voice, for sure! I admire how she held things together and came back for a second day.

[caligirlmiami]

That was the best two days of my life, and I was watching it from home in Los Angeles, I took off work.

[mitchell4000]

She was 39 at the time. At the top of her game big time.

[ableblue]

CALL HER...MISS ROSS!!!

[SoXfused]

Why the hell hasn't this historic concert ever been put on DVD? RCA is so stupid.

[504Diva]

anyone know how many people were there? I agree, their should be a dvd by now. Ms. Ross looks divine.

[komjj14]

I love Diana Ross ... an amazing trailblazer and entertainer. Often imitated, but will NEVER be duplicated ... a true classy woman.

[MrTre5670]

AN ICON

[Chasenip]

I LOVE the street shots of NYC. This is when it was still 'gritty'. I moved to NYC in '95 and it was pretty much cleaned up by then but I have always been fascinated by the 'old' NY or the 70's and early 80's. I would have loved to have seen the city then. Oh, and Miss Ross is the diva of ALL Divas!!!

[cupcake101]

There should be a DVD of Diana performing some songs of hers in Central Park from this year!!!

[Chasenip]

Say what u will about her, but the woman knows how to make an entrance!!!

[rhymeandreasoning]

why the heck has this never been officially released on dvd?? ...come on release it..

[savere2006]

I remember this.

[noahsarcooo]

ohhhhh now i understand

that's what beyonce tried to do in that "de ja vu" video

LMAO

and she looked like a hot mess

LOL

like a tranny on speed!

[Chasenip]

So agree!! Beyonce is in serious need of a makeover. She always looks like a bad drag queen!!

[noahsarcooo]

it is so sad to see the youg generation being fooled by false ideas and materialism.

most of todays singers have no true message and all creativity and style is shopped!

i believe madonna , prince , michael and george fucked up the whole system and had to suffer for it themselves at the end

THE TOTAL SELL OUT

[paul51]

Chasenip . . I hate to fling mud, but doesn't she though?

[dbastard1977]

@noahsarcooo Beyonce was coping Josephine Baker......Your opinion made me LOL but I have to say that is my favourite beyonce video and song (I'm not much of a Beyonce fan)

[MrTre5670]

ME TOO

[grai]

on the way out of the Park hundreds of people got mugged!! They were dropping on people out of the trees in the darker areas of the Park

kind of took the edge of it in many ways

[grai]

"after a badly organised Diana Ross concert in the park on 21 July 1983, when hundreds of youths rampaged through the area afterwards, vandalising and attacking anyone who got in their way. Steaming on a supreme scale, indeed. They had a good go at The Tavern on the Green, too, climbing onto the roof, then descending upon and assaulting diners seated in the patio. It came to be known as the night Central Park got mugged.

[knightd12]

And you blame WHO for that? WTF

[DEEPTHROAT36]

the real BOSS!!!!

[yokeelee]

I GOT GOOSE BUMPS !

[gitsrus]

this is so amazing. i have so much admiration for this woman.

[shadymohammedakkor]

wow wow wow...hv no words, Miss Ross is my icon, she's been w/me all my life...luv her...and she is DA BEST...

[29phineas]

WOW...This is the BEST OPENING ever...MISS ROSS DOING HER THANG...DAMN

[tofelt]

pre 9/11 when NYC was so HOTTTT. the CREATIVITY....hustling....tryi­ng to get the SCREENPLAY done. you could literally walk down the street and FEEL the PASSION the ENERGY and then there was DIANA ROSS & this concert. this OPENING, as awlays UNMATCHED. rain or shine BOSS lady the BEST! btw: my SCREENPLAY IS COMING!

[tsem673]

I was there on the second night--this girl Desiree told me she knew Diana personally and could get us in the VIP section--what a liar--just walking in the crowd with evryone else should have been a clue.Awesome show--there is nothing like a live show. The opening here is great---the broadcast obviously edited alot of it. I was 18 that year--what memories this brings back

[ComoLaFlorr]

I love thiss so much and I love diana too Im only 16 years and she is coming too holland and I realllyyy want too go with someone my age but nobody wants wich really sadens me..

[renaissancea]

This is amazing to have read about this in her book and to now finally see it!! I was just a babe.!! She is wonderful!!

[lareinev]

Is there any way you could post the entire concert up? There were some other great performances of less popular songs that true fans would love to see again! Thank for this!

[Makiba08]

Ms. Ross, the Queen of Divas.

[iluvrachellef]

Ive thought about this extraordinary show alot since then!WOW,3 days after me&my bros.15th birthdays.I remember hangin around outside & i guess MOMS said the word & we went inside & were just glued 2 the screen,ill never 4get this concert!Thank u NilesNL,this is my early birthday present for JULY 18th!!! :)

[MusicBlaster08]

Do you have her singing Ribbon In The Sky at Central Park?

[bokiluis]

i'll never forget that day..........being there is not quite the same as seeing it here. It was surreal.........

[cr8xlns]

What was it like

[jody808]

i remember watching this concert, she was great

[broke2471]

I mean I never seen a performer stand soaking wet fearing no storm or lightening to make sure she gave the audience what they wanted....This show should've been released on DVD years ago...The most fascinating thing I've ever seen in my life.

[broke2471]

I had just graduated High School in 1983 and my Aunt had the entire family over to watch this special and "Oh My God" we were so pumped and glued to the set. Every note, and movement was like pure magic...Then the storms came and nobody, I mean nobody could command a crowd that large and then stood fearless to mother natures wrath of storms and sing til she couldn't sing anymore, then direct the crowd to leave making amends with the storms to go on, but the Diva will return the next day.

[aqueencee1]

this was when the world was so easy still ! life was just so laid back and the days when having HBO, or showtime was a luxury.

[Zecalran]

people weren't so uptight, indifferent and materialistically vain as they are nowadays sadly!!

[bufufubu]

i also remember this day, i was glued to the set and when i saw the rain coming i was crushed, thankfully the show went on the next day. only a real legend like Diana can command an audience that big to return.

[DAHC71]

The energy must have been over the top that day in Central Park and her adrenalin must have been off the charts. That was a fucking cool entrance.

[MasonOnTheFly2]

DAHC71, I can't imagine the energy level that day . . . both the crowds and Diana's.

[lassley]

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls... THAT'S HOW YOU MAKE AN ENTRANCE!

[MasonOnTheFly2]

As soon as Diana raises her head / arms out from under her costume at 3:1, notice how the winds began . . . that's how much energy Diana brought to the stage!!

[MasonOnTheFly]

I remember this like it was yesterday. I took the day off work, then had to take another day off work to watch Day 2!! Never forget it. Still brings chills. No one like Miss Ross. No one.

[bwall002]

There's something about 1983 that just seperates it from other years. I remembere this and the complete concert the next day as if it was yesterday.

And I believe this aired on Showtime and not HBO if memory serves me correctly.

[MasonOnTheFly]

bwall002, yep, it was Showtime; I still have the t.v. ads!!! I had to order it a few days before the concert. I wish the powers that be would release this on a DVD . . . Days 1 and 2. Wouldn't that be nice?

[komjj14]

I remember when this aired on HBO .... one of the best concerts of all time .... I wish HBO would remaster and release it on DVD ... nobody does it like Miss Ross ... before or after. She's the best!

[oldschool712]

It's on DVD

[komjj14]

It is? Where can I order one?

[OldMotownFan]

A truly great entrance. I'll never forget it. Rushed over to a friend's house after my summer job cuz he lived closer. Both days.

[ROXYLUCY]

One of the BIGGEST Stars of all time! The best! Ms. Ross the Boss!

[ilikeangola08]

my mom was there and she useto tell me stories of it and how it was the BEST concert she has been to and the magic i just wish i can be there and i'm from nyc and whenever we go to central park she brings me to the exact spot she was standing at the concert i guess you guys had some great times back in 83 cant forget about flashdance to like good times yall had fun

[BlogShag]

AND IT WAS FREE! :)

[amaram4]

I was there, at the opening show, 14 years old, just graduated from HS. Amazing, electrifying experience! The rain storm could not minimize the magic and intensity of the moment. She was GREAT! Something I would remember for the rest of my life!

[ilikeangola08]

amaram4 back in the 80's people graduated HS at 14...okay cause my cusin is the same age as you and she was just starting high school

[amaram4]

Sorry ilikeangola08, you are absolutely right, I was just 17!

[ludel]

lol@ the way u asked the question!!!

[karosace]

AMAZING THIS OPENING :d

[naomicoon]

I would kill for those enigma photos of ross-these kids have no idea what LIVINs is!!!!!!

That opening still has me dancing around my room. Issey Miyake Couture-unreal!!!!!!!

[LINY65]

I was there. I was 17 y/o, but I don't remember none of it cause me and "green eyed" Melvin Clark (R.I.P)from Newark, N.J.,were "zooted" on Pink Champale among "other" things. Ah...memories!!!!

[wen76nyc]

One of the most fantastic entrances ever made!!! LOVE the african drumming and dancers...then DIANA!!! I remember seeing this on the news as a little kid and DYING to be old enough to go!! What a moment!

[ComoLaFlorr]

woww amazing!

[lucraes1]

The color scheme of all costumes blew me away, i.e., this in combination with the presence of the ultimate performer: Diana Ross

[dariuslavar]

I clearly remember watching this on tv I was 4 or 5 then.  She is amazing.

[minharts]

Wish I could've been there, but I was just 14 and in IOWA! I did see it later on Showtime or HBO - wish I could get it on dvd or video!

[jcb0618]

You mean Diana's "Ain't No Mountain" performance wearing a magnificent blue gown. I have been looking for that performance for 15 years. Damn Dick Clark!!

[rossfan34]

Fantastic!!! I remember when she had this concert. My mom would not take me. I was 11. I wanted to go so bad but it was a mad house so I can't blame my mom but What A Great Concert!! Thanks for posting!!

[yobivan]

stage presence like no other

[SuperstarX]

yobivan, I can fully agree to 100%! She's the greatest female live performer (which I've seen until now)! Amazing woman!

[DerAdventurer]

Absolutely superb!

Mrs. Ross is THE BOSS!

[SuperstarX]

DerAdventurer, she is superb. That is really true. But she is NOT The Boss, because Bruce Springsteen = The Boss! Esta claro?

[carl0822]

Didn't Diana and her staff know that the opening African drum beat was a song for rain!!!!

[44joints]

Great!!

[BestArts]

Yeah, her crew kept coming up and trying to convince her to stop the show, but she waved them off over and over. Finally, the storm was just too much. And she was singing under a lot of lights and metal...

[Gatsbyesque]

Question: I saw a tracklisting for the two concerts that says she performed "Family" after this Tribal Opening/ANMHE intro on day one. But on this clip, I hear the music to "Home" cuing up... Did she sing "Home" on day one, as well? Was the tracklisting I saw incomplete?

[paul51]

After Diana's opening numbers on Day 1 (Mountain) & Day 2 (Coming Out), Diana followed with HOME.

[Gatsbyesque]

Thanks, Paul. You can hear the music clearly in this clip and know that "Home" is next. Would you happen to have the set list for both shows?

[Gatsbyesque]

LOL. I can't tell you how many people you've won over to her side. Dozens of people who once thought they hated Diana Ross, have come and told me how much they love and can't get enough of her, now. LOL And many of them cited these youtube videos.

Thanks Niles, Stephan, Chico, Mr. G, Dianarossreedit, and everyone else.

[Gatsbyesque]

This woman is a Genius.

[rosstown]

She always knows how to open a show...best performer ever!

[paul51]

I remember this like it was yesterday. Thanks Niles.