Good Morning and welcome to Norma's Ark. ;) I am writing a new, illustrated book about my life as a bandleader, musician, & singer in New York's Waldorf Astoria. To the left is a photo taken with Diana Ross. Love that wig Diana.;D
For my band to get this job at The Waldorf was nothing short of a miracle since we had to audition against hundreds of fabulous orchestras. Diana's opening night was also mine. In order to make entry into the hotel police had to help us through three thick crowds circling around the full length of Lexington to Park, and 49th Street to 50th. It was surreal to see all the people there standing for hours on end just to get a glance of Diana Ross in her first solo performance since leaving The Supremes. Berry Gordy and all of Motown were in the audience. Believe me when I say, I was one nervous puppy.
She and I used to stand backstage talking about sewing beaded gowns. Did you know that when Diana worked with The Supremes, she carried a sewing machine with her in order to create many of the lovely garments they wore? I am so blessed to have seen the many top performers of the day in that stunning hotel's Empire Room. It was a thrill to meet her and here is our photo.
My book will contain many pictures of stars like, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, Della Reese, Ed Sullivan, Johnny Mathis, baseball hero Roberto Clemente, and even politician Adam Clayton Powell.... The vignettes I so lovingly treasure and hold close to my memory are all true and mostly flattering to the great performers....
Many of my life's lessons were learned at The Waldorf.
