Call Her Miss Ross [Hardcover]

J. Randy Taraborrelli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1989

The most comprehensive, detailed account of Diana Ross ever published, covering her career from the earliest days through the present. 32 pages of photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Let me put it to you straight: This much-talked-about "unauthorized" biography has all the dirt for love/hate Ross "fans" and loyal fans alike, dragging Ross's name through the mud even more than former Supreme Mary Wilson's Dreamgirl ( LJ 12/86). Enough is enough! We've heard it all before in the tabloids where so-called employees "tattle" about the star's feisty ways--the very source, claims Taraborrelli, of most of his information. Yet, unlike Wilson, Taraborrelli starts in on Ross early, opening with the funeral of former Supreme Florence Ballard and going on to imply that Ross slept her way to the top. Taraborrelli leaves one with the impression that Ross couldn't love if her life depended on it--though the great lady's recent marriage to Norwegian shipping tycoon Arne Naess is shown in a better light. What's sad is that Taraborrelli spends so much time depicting Ross as "the bitch of all time" that much of what makes her a megasuperstar is not even touched upon. Probably more than anything, he should have given some account of how Ross came out on top in a business dominated by men. Call Her Miss Ross , we surely do; but she deserves better. Unauthorized reading.
- Reginald E. Pruitt, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

She was Motown's brightest star, the one with guts enough and ambition enough to make her dreams come true, no matter where they took her. Rules that apply to others have never applied to Diana Ross. She won't let them.
CALL HER MISS ROSS goes behind the footlights and stage facade, behind the broad smile and beautiful voice, for an exclusive look at the real Diana. J. Randy Taraborrelli has interviewed over 400 people and uncovered stories that have never been told before. The ultimate control maven, she became the star of The Supremes without giving Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard a second throught, but also gave them both money when they ended up broke; self-centered, she dated newlywed Smokey Robinson on the sly in order to get more work at Motown; fiercely devoted mother of five, she gives her children anything they desire; impossible employer, she insists that everyone call her "Miss Ross"; insecure star, she demands complete control over every record, every movie, and every performance, no matter what the result.
Her triumphs and tragedies, her virtues and vices, her lovers and enemies -- here's Miss Diana Ross as she's never been seen before.
"Enjoyable . . . [A] marathon bitchfest." -- The Village Voice --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 585 pages
• Publisher: Carol Publishing Group; First Edition edition (January 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559720069
• ISBN-13: 978-1559720069
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,060,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J. RANDY TARABORRELLI is the author of 16 biographies, many of them New York Times' best sellers, including "Call Her Miss Ross," "Sinatra - Behind the Legend," "Madonna - An Intimate Biography," "Jackie, Ethel, Joan - Women of Camelot" and "Elizabeth." His most recent New York Times' best sellers include "Michael Jackson - The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story." (2009) and "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" (also 2009). He is presently at work on his 17th book.

Taraborrelli is known as the foremost authority on Michael Jackson. He interviewed him and his family members countless times and has written more than one hundred articles about him. When Michael Jackson turned eighteen, Taraborrelli was there to report the story with an exclusive interview. As he did when Michael turned 21. And then 30. When Michael recorded "Thriller," Taraborrelli was in the studio. The author also reported on his first marriage to Lisa Marie Presley and his second to Debbie Rowe, the mother of two of his children. Taraborrelli landed the first interview when Jackson settled molestation charges against him in 1993 and was in the courtroom every day when Michael Jackson was on trial for child molestation ten years later. He anchored Michael Jackson's memorial service with Katie Courice in 2009.

J. Randy Taraborrelli is also a CBS News analyst.

The author lives in Encino, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dramatic Tell-All Book, February 5, 2001

By 

Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Call Her Miss Ross (Hardcover)

This book is not all sugar-coated and sweet, but one that truly gets down to the nitty-gritty and tells what (if we can believe what we read) Miss Ross is all about. For anyone who is a product of the 60's and is wondering whatever happened to the fantastic group known as "The Supremes," this is an in-depth account. From the growing years of the group, the aches and pains, glitz and glamour, tragedy and sorrow, to the solo career of Miss Ross, every page of this very lengthy book is worth reading. The book often portrays a self-centred, critical side of Miss Ross, for example, her actions at Flo Ballard's funneral. However, one must also bear in mind, we all deal with grief in our own way. If one reads between the lines, Miss Ross definitely appears to be carrying around her own share of hurt and insecurities - there are two sides to every story. Overall, the book is informative and enlightning. Whether you agree, or disagree, with the author's portrayal of Diana Ross's true character, the book will take you through a whirlwind thirty year span of her legendary and illustrious career.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Is Still The Definitive Bio Of The Legendary Ross, February 11, 2002

By 

Miss DTP "upper_echelon" (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Call Her Miss Ross (Mass Market Paperback)

512 Fantastic PAGES of the Diva--Miss Ross. Even the pictures are reason enough to get it. For true fans, THIS is the bio to read, NOT EVEN Secrets of a Sparrow (Diana Ross 250 PAGES) comes even close to the revelations put forth about Ross. CALL HER MISS ROSS and two other books, 'All That Glittered' (Tony Turner), 'Dreamgirls/My Life As A Supreme (Mary Wilson) can come close to this one. The relationship b/w Ross, Berry Gordy and her first husband Bob Ellis (Silberstein) are exposed for the first and only time. Not even Ross talks about this touchy subject in her book.

Ross claims that she was controlled by Berry but J. Randy uncovered the truth. He shares with the world how Ross used the power she was given to step all over members of The Supremes and most of the Motown family. Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight-even Patti Labelle confirms this in their respected bio's.
Even though the very, very bad is displayed-so is the very, very good. The author does an excellent job of painting both sides. He gives insight into Ross's business's, her children and her relationship with her undying fans (me included). This book only made me want to know more about the diva. If you are already a fan...don't listen to what you might have heard about this book. Pick it up; you're sure to enjoy it!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inside out...Round, Round!, July 5, 2002

By 

derrick Bogan (Brooklyn, N.y) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Call Her Miss Ross (Hardcover)

After reading this book, I'm sure "The Boss" was not pleased, but this unauthorized account of Ms. Ross' life and career will keep the reader interested throughout. In honesty, I think Tarabollerri did a tasteful job in depicting, Diana, the good witch vs. Diana, the most wicked. While many passages in the book attempt to defame Ms. Ross' character, I found these moments comical at best. It has always amazed me that Diana, seventy pounds at best in her early years, managed to evoke so much fear amongst her peers- why didn't anybody just slap her? I think artists point Diana out as the target due to their fear of confronting the man behind the monster- Berry Gordy.
I am not a big Diana Ross fan, but after reading this book, if you like her or not, you will have to agree that she is a very driven, hard working individual, who, ultimately, got everything she strived for- and then some. I have an immense amount of respect for her. She was thinking like a man way before it became fashionable. Great read.