Somewhere (Diana Ross)

In November 18,1968, at the the Palladium Theatre, in London, the ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE ,was hailed by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, a seasoned connoisseur of music hall and variety, as being one of the best ever. Diana Ross used the opportunity to make a moving tribute to black civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, who had been assassinated earlier in the year, during her performance with the Supremes. Held in the presence of HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER accompanied by Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Princess Margaret & the Earl of Snowdon . I want to report a share of the speech that Diana Ross made at “ The Royal Variety Performance ( after Martin Luther King's murder) in front of the British Royal Family. While she is singing (with The Supremes ) "SOMEWHERE ", stops the music and start to talk : " I haven' t to many changes to speak to very important people like who stay in front of me tonight. Like you see, I'm black and you are whites .I sing and you hear me ; then, when all is finished, we go all out from the hall, together. There are some States of my country, the USA, where whites and blacks haven' t the same rights :they can't go out from the same door. I wanna that you think about when you'll go home ".A cold silence fall in the hall and someone, from the last rows, start to clap . In short, all the audience , include the Royal Family members, give to Diana Ross and the Supremes a standing ovation lasted more than 2 minutes ! Miss Ross thanks and continues the concert . After the show, Diana Ross and the Supremes were received by the Queen Mother .


[Diana was attacked by the British press for the above performance and asked how dare she say what she said in front of the royal family.  Her response?  "Why not in front of the royal family?"  Also not noted by the person who posted the video -- this took place in November 18, 1968 -- and Diana also spoke out about another issue -- which the British press attacked her for as well.  In 1968, at that same event, the royal family was happy to be entertained by White people in blackface -- the Black and White Minstrels.  You can see a video about that garbage group by clicking here.  Diana offended the royal family -- boo hoo.  She was right to say what she said about MLK, about Civil Rights and to object to White performers shucking and jiving in blackface to mock others.  She got slammed in 1968 but she was right and history has proven her right.  Remember that if you are ever nervous about taking a stand.]