"The Return to Love Tour" is a 2000 concert tour by American singing group Diana Ross and the Supremes

The Supremes

The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...

.

Origins

In 1999, Diana Ross released her final album on Motown Records, "Every Day is a New Day

Every Day is a New Day

-Album:-Singles:...

". According to Ross (featured in an interview with Barbra 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. Soon the idea would develop into an entire show of Supremes songs which would reunite Ross with her former singing partners, Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson may refer to:* Mary Wilson, Baroness Wilson of Rievaulx , British poet, widow of former British prime minister, Harold Wilson* Mary Wilson , American singer, member of The Supremes...

 and Cindy Birdsong

Cindy Birdsong

Cynthia Ann "Cindy" Birdsong , better known by her stage name, Cindy Birdsong, is an American singer, most famous for singing with the legendary soul groups Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles and The Supremes.-Early life:...

. Ross agreed and took the idea to Arthur Fogel, head of concert promotions for TNA/SFX(now Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment is the new corporate name and owner of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, who have merged. The leadership consists of John C. Malone Chairman of Liberty Media as Chairman and Michael Rapino, as President and CEO of the new company...

), who, reportedly, liked the idea. As plans were beginning underway in the fall and winter of 1999, TNA/SFX contacted Wilson and Birdsong regarding doing the tour. Wilson's initial question regarded the salary, her input in the tour and why she not had been contacted by Ross. Ross did finally contact Wilson in December 1999 regarding the tour. Wilson wanted to talk with Ross before salary negotiations. Ross wanted to get the salary negotiations done first before talking with Wilson regarding plans for the show.

Negotiations

Negotiations began to crumble when Wilson was told that she would have no input into the show and was offered $2 million. Wilson, who felt herself, Ross and Birdsong should be paid equally, did not accept the first offer. Ross agreed to add an additional $2 million from her own personal finances to the original $2 million that TNA/SFX proposed to Wilson for a total of $4 million. Birdsong was only offered $1 million for the tour whereas Ross was to receive a percentages of the profits from the tour. Wilson stated Ross was to receive between $15 to 20 million.

Wilson's final offer of $4 million and Birdsong's offer of $1 million came with a deadline of early 2000 (in order to begin production of the sets, costume fitting, hiring of staff, etc., and an on-schedule commencement of the tour). Birdsong had aligned herself with Wilson regarding the negotiations. Wilson did accept the final offer, however she was told "all deals are off the table" when it was too late. Wilson and Birdsong were now no longer in negotiations with the tour. With Wilson and Birdsong no longer participating in the tour, Ross began to question whether to continue the tour. Berry Gordy, after being contacted by Ross for advice, reportedly told her to continue "if it's something she'd have fun doing.". She decided to continue. TNA/SFX approached former 1970's Supremes Jean Terrell

Jean Terrell

Jean Terrell is an American R&B and jazz singer. She replaced Diana Ross as the lead singer of The Supremes in January 1970.-Early life and career:...

, Lynda Laurence

Lynda Laurence

Lynda Laurence is an American singer. She is best known for being a part of two Motown acts: Stevie Wonder's backup group Wonderlove, and one of the post-Diana Ross versions of The Supremes...

, Scherrie Payne

Scherrie Payne

Scherrie Payne is an American singer. The younger sister of singer/actress Freda Payne, Scherrie Payne was the co-lead singer of The Supremes from 1973 to 1977, after Jean Terrell left the group in the fall of 1973...

, and Susaye Greene

Susaye Greene

Susaye Greene , is an African-American singer, best known for being the last official member to join Motown girl group The Supremes, remaining in the group during its final years of existence from 1976 to 1977.-Early life and career:...

 regarding the tour. All ladies were to sing for the director and producers of the tour; however Susaye Greene later stated it was more like an audition. Terrell refused to participate whereas Laurence, Payne, and Greene did. Susaye Greene later received an email that "two Supremes have been 'cast'" for the tour. Laurence and Payne, both of whom tour the European cabaret circuit with their show, "Former Ladies of the Supremes

Former Ladies of the Supremes

The Former Ladies of the Supremes, or FLOS, is a singing group that was formed by former Supremes members Jean Terrell, Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne, in 1986...

" or "FLOS" were selected for the tour. Payne and Lawrence performed much of the post-Ross Supremes material in solo sets in the show.

Publicity & Opening

Ross, Lawrence & Payne announced the tour at a press conference in New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

's Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal —often incorrectly called Grand Central Station, or shortened to simply Grand Central—is a terminal station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...

, during which Ross stated that all former Supremes were welcomed to join the tour. The trio appeared and performed together on American television programs, including "Oprah", "The Today Show", "The View" and VH1's "Divas Live 2000:A Tribute To Diana Ross". The tour commenced on April 14, 2000 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's Spectrum Arena to positive reviews. The Philadelphia Inquirer called the concert "A smashing success". The performance was sold out as was the tour's final performance at New York City's Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...

.

Ticket sales for the tour were brisk in large markets(New York, Philadelphia, etc.) but, slower in smaller markets.
As part of its "Opening Night" series, cable channel VH1

VH1

VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...

 aired the tour's opening night's first three songs footage.
After playing fourteen dates of its 30 scheduled dates, the tour was canceled by TNA/SFX, disappointed by the tour's slow ticket sales, many of which were priced at $255 for near-stage orchestra seats, nearly double what is charged for solo Diana Ross tickets in the same area.

Set List

• Reflections
• Come See About Me
• Back In My Arms Again
• Baby Love
• You Can't Hurry Love
• Love Child
• The Happening
• Love Is Here And Now You're Gone
• Forever Came Today
• I Hear A Symphony
• You Keep Me Hangin' On
• Love Is An Itchin' In My Heart
• Stop! In The Name of Love
• In And Out Of Love
• Where Did Our Love GO
• Touch Me in the Morning (Diana Ross solo)
• Love Hangover (Diana Ross solo)
• Endless Love (Diana Ross solo)
• Do You Know Where You're Going to? (Theme from Mahogany) (Diana Ross solo)
• Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Diana Ross solo)
• Money (Lynda Laurence solo)
• Up The Ladder To The Roof (Lynda Laurence solo)
• Stoned Love (Scherrie Payne solo)
• Reach Out I'll Be There
• I Will Survive

Tour dates

Date	City	State / Province	Venue
North America
14 June 2000	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...	First Union Spectrum
16 June 2000	Pittsburgh	Pennsylvania Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...	Mellon Arena Mellon Arena Civic Arena is an indoor arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is currently undergoing demolition. It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world, covering 170,000 sq. feet and constructed with just shy of 3,000 tons of Pittsburgh steel...
19 June 2000	Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, Michigan Auburn Hills is a city in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township became the City of Auburn Hills.-Economy:...	Michigan Michigan Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....	Palace of Auburn Hills
20 June 2000	Columbus Columbus, Ohio Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...	Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...	Schottenstein Center
22 June 2000	Atlanta	Georgia Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...	Philips Arena Philips Arena Philips Arena is an indoor arena in Atlanta, Georgia.Completed in 1999 to replace The Omni, at a cost of $213.5 million, it is home to the Atlanta Hawks, of the National Basketball Association, and the Atlanta Dream, of the Women's National Basketball Association...
24 June 2000	Tampa Bay	Florida Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...	Ice Palace St. Pete Times Forum The St. Pete Times Forum is an arena in Tampa, Florida, that has been used for ice hockey, basketball, and arena football games, as well as concerts....
25 June 2000	Fort Lauderdale	Florida Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...	National Car Rental Center
28 June 2000	Houston	Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...	Compaq Center
29 June 2000	Dallas	Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...	Reunion Arena Reunion Arena Reunion Arena was an indoor arena, in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas . It held 18,293 for basketball and 17,001 for ice hockey.It was demolished in November 2009 and the site was cleared by the end of the year.-History:...
1 July 2000	Rosemont Rosemont, Illinois Rosemont is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States located immediately northwest of Chicago. The village was incorporated in 1956, though it had been settled long before that...	Illinois Illinois Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...	Allstate Arena Allstate Arena Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and...
3 July 2000	Montreal	Quebec Quebec Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....	Molson Centre
4 July 2000	Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...	Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....	Air Canada Centre Air Canada Centre The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar ....
6 July 2000	New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...	New York New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...	Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
7 July 2000	Wantagh Wantagh, New York Wantagh is a hamlet and census-designated place in Nassau County, New York, United States...	New York New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...	Jones Beach Amphitheatre (cancelled)
9 July 2000	Washington Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....	D.C. Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....	MCI Center (cancelled)
10 July 2000	Cleveland	Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...	Gund Arena (cancelled)
12 July 2000	Hartford Hartford, Connecticut Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...	Connecticut Connecticut Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...	Hartford Civic Center Hartford Civic Center The XL Center, formerly known as the Hartford Civic Center, is a multi-purpose arena and convention center located in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, USA. It is owned by the City of Hartford and operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group under contract with the Connecticut Development Authority...  (cancelled)
13 July 2000	Boston Boston Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...	Massachusetts Massachusetts The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...	Fleet Center (cancelled)
14 July 2000	Atlantic City	New Jersey New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...	Mark G. Etess Arena Mark G. Etess Arena The Mark G. Etess Arena is multi-purpose arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. Opening in April 1990, as a part of the Trump Taj Mahal. The arena seats nearly 6,000 for music and sporting events. The arena was named after Mark Grossinger Etess, a former president and C.O.O. of Trump...  (cancelled)
16 July 2000	Milwaukee	Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...	Bradley Center Bradley Center The Bradley Center is an indoor arena, located on the northwest corner of North 4th and West State Streets, in Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin....  (cancelled)
17 July 2000	St. Louis	Missouri Missouri Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...	Kiel Center (cancelled)
19 July 2000	Minneapolis	Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...	Target Center Target Center The Target Center is an arena in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is sponsored by Target Corporation. The arena has a capacity of 20,500 people. It contains 702 club seats and 68 suites....  (cancelled)
21 July 2000	Denver	Colorado Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...	Pepsi Center Pepsi Center Pepsi Center is a multi-purpose arena in Denver, Colorado, United States. The building is home to the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association, the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League, and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League...  (cancelled)
24 July 2000	Seattle	Washington	Key Arena (cancelled)
25 July 2000	Portland Portland, Oregon Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...	Oregon Oregon Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...	Rose Garden Arena Rose Garden Arena Rose Garden, commonly known as the Rose Garden Arena, is the primary indoor sports arena in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is suitable for large indoor events of all sorts, including basketball, ice hockey, rodeos, circuses, conventions, ice shows, concerts, and dramatic productions...  (cancelled)
28 July 2000	San Jose San Jose, California San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...	California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...	San Jose Arena (cancelled)
2 August 2000	San Diego	California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...	San Diego Sports Arena (cancelled)
3 August 2000	Anaheim	California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...	Arrowhead Pond Arrowhead Pond The Honda Center, previously known as the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim and colloquially called The Pond or The Ponda, is an indoor arena in Anaheim, California. The arena is home to the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks and was home of the former National Lacrosse League's Anaheim Storm, which...  (cancelled)
5 August 2000	Las Vegas Las Vegas metropolitan area The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...	Nevada Nevada Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...	MGM Grand Garden Arena (cancelled)

External Links

• Barbara Walters interviews Diana Ross about "Return To Love" Tour