Features
Where Did Our Tour Go?
Shows in Wantagh, N.Y., Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh were canceled July 7, 9 and 10.
Though promoters insist the ill-fated tour isn’t officially dead, it does appear to be on life support.
Tour promoters SFX Entertainment and The Next Adventure told Pollstar that to date only the three shows have been cancelled.
“I can tell you that as of this moment, the tour is not canceled,” the SFX spokesman told Pollstar. “But that could change at any time.”
However, Diana Ross appeared to launch a pre-emptive strike June 10 by issuing a press release saying the remainder of the tour has been called off. In the release, she points a manicured finger directly at the promoters.
“I am severely disappointed that TNA and SFX have decided to cancel the remainder of Diana Ross & The Supremes – A Celebration of the Music. I was very much looking forward to performing for our fans,” Ross said in her release.
The tour has been dogged by less-than-stellar ticket sales, with many venues reporting half-empty (and worse) houses. It appears that the only thing standing in the way of outright cancellation of the remainder of the dates is a financial settlement.
“I promised our fans that I would be there for them. I know the canceled shows would have been received with the same enthusiasm that we encountered in every city on the tour so far,” Ross said.
“I would sing the same if there were 10 people in the audience or 10,000,” Ross said, acknowledging the poor ticket sales for the outing.
The tour has seen its share of problems – most notably her falling out with original Supremes Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong, apparently over money.
Hinting at her future plans, she added, “I love the music and the fans, and I will find a way to reconnect with them as soon as possible.”
The remainder of the tour included 13 dates, through August 5 in Las Vegas.