On Feb. 14, Raquel Marshall’s Tribute to Diana Ross & The Supremes hit the Moorpark College stage for their 2024 Black History Month celebration.
Diana Ross & The Supremes were the 1960s, R&B and soul, record-breaking trio that achieved worldwide popularity as America’s most successful vocal group. Produced by Jeff Patterson, the tribute ensemble featured Raquel Marshall as Diana Ross, Amberlin Morse as Florence Ballard and Virginia Trent as Mary Wilson.
The performance tribute showcased various record-breaking hits including “You Can’t Hurry Love” and “Someday We’ll Be Together” along with a specially added new section for student engagement. Audience members were encouraged to move along with the performers as they were shown on a closer scale on the quad stage.
Producer of the tribute act, Patterson, explained that the trio’s creation stemmed from his love of Motown, an American record label by Universal Group, and a documentary he saw. Patterson further noted why he chose Raquel Marshall as Diana Ross and the overall tribute act phenomenon.
“I was doing all the research, and I said there was a thing of Diana Ross doing a special on NBC, and I went, oh my goodness, that looks like my friend Raquel,” Patterson noted. “There’s a whole genre of this, you pick a celebrity, then there’s somebody who does a tribute act of it and some of it is very, very, good.”
Marshall, who performed as Diana Ross, has had a life-long appreciation for the singer. When she was a child, Marshall used to put stockings on her hair to replicate Ross’ long mane and perform with a stick of deodorant in hand to embody the singer’s persona. She spoke about her reaction to being picked by Patterson for Diana Ross.
“When he called me for it, first of all, I remember crying and saying you [Patterson] must be insane, because who can sing like Diana Ross? She sings really high and really nasal,” Marshall explained. “So, when he told me about the character, I got really excited, but then I was a little worried because she sings very, very high with a lot of training and hard work.”
To get into character, Marshall works alongside Patterson’s wife who serves as the trio’s impressionist coach and teaches the art of replicating speech, tone of voice, smile and overall getting into character.
The performer for Mary Wilson, Trent, spoke about how she joined the tribute by answering a casting call and auditioning with Marshall for Patterson. She expressed her love for musical theater and Diana Ross.
“When I was little, I always used to love musical theater, and I used to watch ‘The Wiz’ and I was like, maybe I could do that someday,” Trent said. “So, I did love Diana Ross and like her career, so it was quite interesting, but I have never thought about being in a tribute group.”
Morse, Florence Ballard’s performer, also auditioned but was more familiar with the group’s material. She noted her process of navigating deep cuts from the singer.
“It’s been a nice journey of discovery, and there’s even a song that we do that I’ve heard all my life growing up and I didn’t know it was Diana Ross,” Morse said.
The tribute incorporated a new section into their set, with a surprise performance of the song, “The Happening” by Diana Ross & The Supremes. Patterson explained why he included it for the audience to engage with.
“We just put this in for this show because we needed something because it was outside and we had to get people excited,” Patterson explained. “So, I came over and said this is my idea to do ’60s dancing, and they were all into it, and it played really, really well.”
Mary Poitier, former president of the Associated Students of Moorpark College, became a huge fan of Diana Ross & The Supremes after falling in love with their songs in the ’70s. Poitier explained how she was able to invite the tributes to perform at Moorpark College.
“I had heard of them before and one of the ladies is my friend, and she sent me like recordings and I would listen to it,” Poitier explained. “And even just looking at the performances and seeing how the clothing, and how dedicated they are to their work, this is just remarkable.”
Poitier explained that celebrating Black History Month at Moorpark College emphasizes diversity and shows students that they all have a place within the community. She noted that stressing inclusivity and uplifting Black voices gives students a deeper historical perspective that can be applied when navigating the real world.
For more information on Raquel Marshall’s Tribute to Diana Ross & The Supremes, click here. Black History Month events will continue to be held at Moorpark College for the rest of the month. For more information on the 2024 agenda, click here.
