Neha Patil (Editor)

Diana!

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Released
  
March 29, 1971

Genre
  
Soul

Label
  
Motown

Recorded
  
1971

Length
  
39:50

Producer
  
none given

Diana! is American singer Diana Ross' first solo TV special, which aired on ABC on April 18, 1971, choreographed by David Winters of West Side Story fame, who at that time choreographed all of Ross' stage and TV shows. The special featured performances by The Jackson 5, and also included Jackson 5 lead singer Michael Jackson's solo debut. Michael Jackson performed Frank Sinatra's "It Was a Very Good Year", which drew laughter as its adult-themed lyrics were changed to fit his age. Other guests included Danny Thomas and Bill Cosby, who would be featured on a similar TV special by the Jackson 5 (Goin' Back to Indiana) a few months later.

Since this was right at the beginning of her solo career, she took the opportunity to promote the two hits from her debut, the gold audience participant "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and the number 1 song "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". She also performed a cover of The Carpenters "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and the top-20 gold single "Remember Me" released that previous December 1970 included on her forthcoming album "Surrender" to be released later that summer. (Though she performed "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" on the special, it was not included on the soundtrack).

The television special, and its subsequent soundtrack, was a Neilsen's ratings winner, hitting the top 20 (number 17) of shows that week and garnering Emmy nominations for Ross and Bob Mackie and in technical categories.

Track listing for Diana! soundtrack album

  1. "Intro"
  2. "Don't Rain on My Parade"
  3. "Jackson 5 Medley" ("Mama's Pearl"/"Walk On By"/"The Love You Save")
  4. "(They Long to Be) Close to You"
  5. "Bill Cosby Segment"
  6. " Love Story" (with Bill Cosby)
  7. "Remember Me"
  8. "Jackson 5 Medley" ("I'll Be There"/"Feelin' Alright")
  9. "Danny Thomas Segment"
  10. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
  11. "Call Me"

References

Diana! Wikipedia