Diana Ross and the Supremes, Return to Love tour poster, 1999

Description

An original, glossy tour poster from the ill-fated 1999 tour
Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_to_Love_Tour
Origins
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In 1999, Diana Ross released her final album on Motown Records,
Every Day is a New Day
. According to Ross (featured in an interview with Barbara Walters), Scott Sanders, a close friend of Ross', suggested adding an entire Supremes segment to her promotional concert tour for the then-new album in which she would perform full versions of the hits she recorded when she was with the Supremes. The idea soon developed into an entire show of Supremes songs which would reunite Ross with her former singing partners,
Mary Wilson
and
Cindy Birdsong
. Ross approached
Arthur Fogel
, head of concert promotions for TNA/SFX(now
Live Nation Entertainment
), who, reportedly, agreed to finance the tour.
Negotiations
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Talks and plans for the tour were well underway throughout the summer of 1999 as the idea of a Supremes tour was floated around before Mary Wilson was contacted by Diana Ross in December 1999 regarding the tour. At this time Wilson had only heard rumors of the tour and had not contacted by TNA/SFX. Wilson, upset she had been contacted so late, wanted to speak with Ross directly before beginning negotiations with TNA/SFX. Ross felt they should speak after negotiations took place. Following Ross' initial contact, she removed herself from the negotiation process leaving them between the women, their representatives, and the promoters. TNA/SFX initially offered Wilson million. Cindy Birdsong was reported to have been offered less than million. Tour performance fees are determined by an artist's most recent earnings. Wilson, reportedly, earned roughly million in performance fees the previous year. Wilson and Birdsong were also informed they would have not have any creative input into the show. Wilson rejected the initial offer feeling she, Ross, and Birdsong should be paid equally and have equal input into the show. Promoters increased Wilson's offer up to million after the initial rejection. Ross agreed to offer Wilson an additional million from her personal finances to the million TNA/SFX proposed for a total of million. Wilson and Birdsong's request for creative input into the show was again rejected. Ross stipulated that all of the others artists' fees were guaranteed, meaning that they'd receive the full amount of their contracts, regardless of how many performances actually took place. Wilson erroneously stated publicly that Ross was to receive between to million. Ross, as the tour's co-producer, was receiving 0,000 per night from TNA/SFX to cover the tour's expenses. When the expenses exceeded the allotment, Ross covered the overages.
Wilson's final offer of million and Birdsong's offer of million came with a deadline of early 2000 (in order to begin production of the sets, costume fittings, hiring of staff, etc., and an on-schedule commencement of the tour). Wilson eventually accepted the final offer, but, her acceptance was rejected by TNA/SFX citing "the train has left the station." The promoter ceased negotiations with Wilson and Birdsong. Without Wilson or Birdsong, Ross began to question whether to continue to stage the tour. Ross sought advice from
Berry Gordy Jr.
who had called TNA/SFX during the negotiation process on behalf of Wilson and Birdsong requesting they receive better pay and have creative input into the show. Gordy reportedly told Ross to continue "if it's something she'd have fun doing;" however warned her about continuing without Wilson and Birdsong. Ross decided to continue.
TNA/SFX approached 70's Supremes Jean Terrell, Susaye Greene, Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne, the latter two of whom toured as "
Former Ladies of the Supremes
," about being part of the tour. The ladies were asked to sing for the promoters in Los Angeles to get a sense of how to put the show together. The ladies were led to believe they would all be included in the tour. It was soon realized by some of the ladies that not all would be involved in the show. Instead, the promoters were seeking which lady would sound best with Ross. Terrell, insulted by being asked to audition, refused to participate. Greene, Laurence, and Payne agreed to audition, however, Greene was passed over. Greene later stated she was struck by how she was informed by TNA/SFX through an email that she wasn't needed by stating "two Supremes have been cast." TNA/SFX instead chose Payne and Laurence to continue the tour with Ross.
Tour
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The tour was promoted by Ross, Laurence, and Payne appearing on "The Today Show", "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and VH1's "Divas 2000: A Tribute To Diana Ross", following the tour's initial press conference held in the Grand Concourse of New York City's
Grand Central Station
on April 4, 2000.
The tour commenced in June at Philadelphia's Spectrum arena. Bob Mackie designed five costume changes for the ensemble. The show included large video screens, a troupe of dancers, backing singers and a 50-piece orchestra. The tour featured almost every Supremes single recorded between 1964 to 1970 with lesser known singles performed in select cities. Initially running over two hours the tour was shortened after the Detroit date.
Despite selling well in major cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Detroit, the tour attracted an average of 4,000–8,000 fans per night in venues that could hold twice the number. TNA/SFX had priced premiere seats at 0 a ticket. This was the price they had originally set for a tour intended for Ross, Wilson, and Birdsong. After Wilson and Birdsong were no longer part of the tour, TNA/SFX did not change ticket prices to accommodate the new lineup. Unhappy with poor ticket sales, especially compared to the high expense of the production, TNA/SFX pressured Ross to cut production costs by downsizing the orchestra, cutting dancers, and crew. Ross refused. Following the July 6th performance at Madison Square Garden, TNA/SFX canceled the tour for the remainder of the dates; completing only 13 of the scheduled 29 stops. Ross announced to the press that she was "severely disappointed" in the cancellation.