Way
before K. Michelle versus Tamar Braxton, there have been diva (and Divo)
showdowns. Here are a five most people don’t know about.
Roberta
Flack, Sarah Vaughan, and Peggy Lee VS. Aretha Franklin – Obviously from the
names you can tell this is some straight old school Diva drama. Quincy Jones writes in his book that during
the taping of a tribute to Duke Ellington in 1972, the other ladies were giving
Aretha a hard time because she didn’t read music and wouldn’t wear the same
color dress as them. Quincy says and we have proof
that Aretha decided to just knock them dead with her voice. While the other
ladies did a marvelous job, Aretha really was the star of the show.
Dionne
Warwick VS. Patti Labelle – Dionne Warwick, Patti Labelle, and Gladys Knight
recorded a HBO special together (Sisters In The Name Of Love). Patti
says in her book during their break Dionne Warwick comes in her dressing room
and ask Patti not to sing so loud. To me
it sounds like Patti is just a bit sensitive but like Aretha, Patti used that
huge voice of hers anyway. Every segment
that the three ladies sang together, Patti gave it her all. The ladies made up after Patti’s book was
released. Dionne says she didn’t realize
that she hurt Patti’s feelings.
Luther
Vandross VS. Aretha Franklin – Back in the 1980’s Luther worked as producer on
two of Aretha’s albums. They were in the
studio recording and Luther wanted Aretha to sing a note one way and she didn’t
agree with it. Luther never one to back
down from a Diva fight, stated that he was the producer and was responsible for
her comeback in the 80’s therefore she should do it his way. The Queen of Soul was not having anybody
taking credit for any of her body work and responded that he was the one
listening to the radio learning from her as a child not the other way around
and she apparently she did the greatest Diva exit ever. Eventually these two Soul stars got it
together and were friends again after Luther apologize on the demand of Clive
Davis (who was paying Luther).
Luther
Vandross VS. En Vogue – Man the Big L was always into it with somebody. This time En Vogue was hired as his opening act
on tour. Luther made them sign contracts
that they wouldn’t wear certain colors such as red or anything that sparkled
because he didn’t want their act to take away from what his background singers
were wearing. En Vogue also wanted to
move their band off stage to give them more room to perform. Luther said that it would make it difficult
for his band to set up since they were also off stage. It got so bad that Divo Luther put up a
curtain to separate them backstage. That
way he didn’t have to ever see them. En Vogue called Luther, Lucifer behind his back. A member of En Vogue accidentally crossed the dividing curtain and Luther called the police on them!

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