Diana Ross at Red Rock! - Love Hangover/Take Me Higher/Ease On Down Medley, The Boss - June 27, 2024

The evening with Ms. Ross at Red Rock on June 27, 2024, will go down as another bookmark in the Ross musical lore. The concert was delayed by 20 minutes because "technical difficulties," but I suspect it more because of the danger of the winds. Seated in row 4, towards the left end of the amphitheater, I had earlier walked up the stairs to the top to get a grand view of the iconic venue; but the prevailing winds were blowing garbage cans, pebbles, loose twigs and leaves around so I hurried back down to the safety of my seat. No more exploring. Ms Ross came on stage first, determined to get the show started and she was followed soon by her band. She tried her best to give her show some normalcy by singing "I'm Coming Out," followed by "More Today Than Yesterday," she then sang two Supremes songs (Baby Love, Stop! In The Name of Love) before jumping into "Touch Me In The Morning" and "Upside Down." The winds were so strong, that at times, it looked as if she was going to get blown off the stage. To brace herself, she used her microphone stand as an anchor and when the wind blew harder, she sat herself down on the drum stage and later, in a chair. Dramatically, her feathered gown acted both as a shield and a punisher. Her hair also wrapped around her face to do the same. At one point, she said it reminded her of her amazing concert at Central Park, where she bravely faced Mother Nature and defeated her wrath. This night was no different. Finally, she jumped into her medley of Love Hangover/Take Me Higher/Ease On Down The Road, when she suddenly left the stage, leaving her singers and band to improvise for several minutes, at which time, a stage hand came out to announce that the show would have an intermission due to expected high winds. At the first the crowd started to brace themselves and put on protective rain gear. Obviously, several audience members have been to shows at Red Rock and were prepared. When the winds came, it seemed the panels above the stage were going to be blown off and fall. The crowd started to disperse - some seeking shelter, others to call it the night. After 30 to 40 minutes of wind and rain, I started to think that they were going to cancel the rest of the show but then, the band members started to take their place on the stage with Fred White, one of Diana Ross' singers, urging the crowd to cheer! Soon the familiar strains of "The Boss" echoed thru the amphitheater and Ms Ross returned to the stage as if there was nothing to worry about! Afterwards, she jumped into her medley of "Theme from Mahogany" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," before she jumped into "I Will Survive." She ended the evening with "Thank You" from her new album. In total, the show was barely an hour long - if you don't count the delayed start and the intermission. Although it was short, it was sweet and dramatic! I had drove 12 hours to see the concert and it'll be another 12 hour drive home. Was it worth it? Heck yes! Just for the experience, alone. I embraced friends, chatted with a few band members and saw a show that was the closest thing to her iconic Central Park show that I thought I would never experience live! Also, Ms. Ross saw one of the photos that I took and posted it on her page! Exciting! If I had to live this show over, I wouldn't change a thing!