| Home Page | February - April 2010 A Supreme Collaboration
David Winters/Diana Ross Collaborations Reviews Question: If you are the most successful female vocalist at the height of your career, who do you choose to conceive, stage, and choreograph your stage and TV shows? Answer: Well if you the supremely talented Diana Ross, you choose David Winters of course. And that is exactly what Miss Ross did. And this supreme collaboration resulted in an abundance of critically acclaimed and popular stage shows plus a loving and lifelong friendship between the two high achieving artists.
David with specially-commissioned painting of his good friend, Diana
Billy Preston (second from left)Diana Ross (center) David Winters (second from right) and a few of their friends after a Billy Preston concert, for which David was Diana’s guest. For a three year period, David and Diana jolted the world of entertainment with their ground breaking stages shows. They made their collaborative debut at Universal Theater in Los Angeles, followed by Radio City Music Hall in New York City; then Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, all leading to the spectacular Command Performance for President Ronald Reagan at The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, also featuring the Joffrey Ballet. Despite this hectic schedule, they also found time to film the ballet performance for a TV Special in New York City. This bold production created quite a stir in that it was the very first time anyone had combined the artistries of Street Dancing and Ballet. Both Diana and Robert Joffrey initially declared David certifiably nuts when he mentioned this concept to them, but went wild with excitement for the finish product. For David, it was one glorious moment of triumph David loved working with Diana and her child-like enthusiasm proved to be a muse to many of his great ideas. One such great moment was their first show at Universal. Without Diana’s knowledge, David had hired a helicopter to fly over the audience even before she made her entrance. At the bottom of the helicopter he had a half filled champagne glass with bubbles coming out of it on a special screen that was attached to the helicopter and after the champagne he had this written "Welcome to my Life....Love Diana ". David asked Diana to come meet him behind one of the curtains just before it arrived and when it did, she and the audience went beserk. David recalls her screaming at him: "David, you are crazy, and I love you, can we have the helicopter every night we are here?" He joyfully told her he had already ordered it. She hugged him and said "You are the greatest". He has said that that moment alone was worth all the hard and tedious hours he had put in to create and stage her shows. Program for the Caesar’s Palace engagement While they remained strong friends, other creative endeavors separated them for a bit. One day, out of the blue, David received a phone call from Diana who simply said, "David let's make Magic again". David would later say, “Wow no one had ever put it in those terms, but she was right, what we made together WAS magic, and I loved her so much for saying that way. Most people call you up and just ask you to work with them. That is what makes Diana such a special human being. And such an amazing talent as well.” Program for when Diana danced again with the Joffrey Ballet Company for President Reagan The magic they created was the memorable 1981 TV Special “Diana”. In true character, as he did with Raquel Welch (see archives, January 2003) and Ann-Margret (see archives February 2003), he refused to rest on her past laurels, rely on try and true formulations, or repeat himself. Instead of just having song and dance numbers, in this collaboration, he took their mutual love of photography and the concept of celebrity vs. individuality and incorporated them into a through-line narrative. Throughout the hour, fast-paced action is interrupted by still photos of Diana or taken by Diana and at times, one can hear rhythmic shutter clicking.
Inserting still motions into the choreography David also chose to showcase the effusive public performer element by having her perform in front of a live audience in Los Angles, where among other things; she conducted a sing-along at the arena, evoking participation even by Muhammad Ali and the 17,000 others in attendance. The audience was also treated to Diana performing with another one of best friends, Michael Jackson. Today their mutual affection for one another is easily displayed through their dancing, singing and especially their cute bantering. David of course, was looking forward to working with the talented young man but was quite surprised when he found out that Jackson was a huge fan of both West Side Story and of David himself. Michael surprised David by immediately snapping his fingers and doing a little WSS step when first introduced. This was the beginning of a loving lifelong friendship between the two (see archives July 2009 for David’s tribute to his friend).
Michael Jackson and Diana Ross The rest of the hour presented a contrasting view of an intimate and sometimes lonely Diana, as she interacts with Larry Hagman, and performs in yet another pioneering ballet with the Joffrey Ballet David continues to have such love and respect for Diana Ross and cherishes her friendship still that even today; the commissioned photograph of Diana Ross hangs in his Thailand office.
David in his Thailand office
November 2009 - January 2010 Susan’s annual top ten “recommendations to add to your DW collection.”:
Well folks, it’s that time of year again. Time to prepare your wish list and shopping lists for the upcoming holidays. Again, here are my recommendations for your David Winters/David Winters-inspired collection. Enjoy. 1. West Side Story (Special Limited Edition)--Archives June 2003 Special Features on Disc 2 include West Side Memories: 1-hour retrospective documentary containing Natalie Wood's original vocal recordings and new interviews with the cast and crew, including Robert Wise, Stephen Sondheim, and Tony Mordente. Original film intermission music restored and remixed in 5.1 surround; and collectible scrapbook. And yes, it was on the list last year, and guess what; it will be on next year’s too. If you have to ask why……………….
The multi-award winning director, directing Tucker Smith and David Winters
2. ED SULLIVAN SHOW, (September 14, 1958) Featuring David Winters, Tony Mordente, Tucker Smith and the rest of the Broadway Jets performing Cool. Extra bonus: Jerome Robbins is in the audience that evening and is introduced. Others bonuses: The old Mercury commercials, Mickey Rooney, and my favorites, the pie-plate twirlers and the Czechoslovakian puppets. A true gem. Much love and thanks to jj and Gary from the WSS messageboard who guided me to this find. For your own journey, go to:
David doing his Cool solo on Broadway 3. Thrashin: DVD with Radical Special Features--Archives April 2003 Yes this is the fifth straight year in a row for this skatingboarding classic, but with good reason. Not only does this cult classic star skating legends Tony Hawke and Tony Alva, but this film also helped launched the careers of some of the behind the scene folks, including second unit director, Stacy Peralta and production designer, Catherine Hardwicke, and inspired the making of some awarding-win movies. Read on. “Best single camera moment since Thrashin’” Craig Stecyk, Co-founder, Zephyr Surf Shop and co-writer of Dogtown and Z-Boys. “……….on that on that skateboarding classic, Thrashin’” Director of Lords of Dogtown, explaining how she first met the skate pros that she used as consultants, cameramen, stunt doubles, etc on her hit film.
David and some of the crew from Thrashin’. 4. Blackbeard David returned to acting in this TV mini-series about the Golden Age of Piracy, at the dawn of the 18th century, and the most fearsome and notorious seafarer of them all, Blackbeard. David, who portrays shopkeeper Silas Bridges, performs along side many acting luminaries such as Richard Chamberlain, Stacy Keach, Rachel Ward, and Nigel Terry in this beautifully filmed action adventure. Produced by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
David as Silas Bridges in Blackbeard
5. Inside Deep Throat --Archives March 2005 Inside Deep Throat, the successful documentary which examines the unanticipated lasting cultural impact generated by Deep Throat, a sexually explicit film first shown in a midtown Manhattan adult theater in June 1972, is now available in DVD. David Winters who befriended and guided Linda during her post-Deep Throat period discusses her her brief Hollywood experience in the bonus section, Linda Does Hollywood
6. The Monkees : A Coffin Too Frequent; The Monkees Blow Their Minds --Archives May 2004 When David was approached to produce, direct and choreograph the Monkee’s first tour, he agreed in exchange for one directing assignment on their show. In the end it was a win-win situation, with the Monkees proving their worth as a live act and David getting his Director Guild Association card.
7. Movin’ With Nancy --Archives March 2004 With Jessica reminding us that no one walks in her boots like Nancy Sinatra, I just had to add Nancy’s fabulous special to the list again. Granted she does not perform her career-making number, but who cares. Nancy was one of the two coolest chicks from that era and she never looked better than in this award winning television special. From the very first steps of Nancy's legendary boots, the audience is taken on a journey through '60s pop culture, with Emmy Award nominated choreography by David Winters. This gem features singing partner Lee Hazelwood, father, Frank, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.; trend-setting fashions, hit songs and scenic California locations. And forget the remote; you need to sit through the RC Mad Mad Colas Ads. I especially love the one featuring Dino, Desi, and Billy.
8. Hullabaloo: Volumes 5-8 --Archives February 2004 Okay, okay, I could not mention Nancy without mentioning the other cool chick: Lada Edmunds Jr. the girl in the cage on Hullabaloo. This show is special to me in that this is where I rediscovered David. All three available DVDs offer highlights from the vintage show that featured live performance of the most popular musical acts of that era, and some of the best modern dancing with choreography by David Winters--not to mention great shimmies in the cage from the another cool chick of that era, Lada Edmund Jr. But this volume offers a special treat with two dance numbers by David himself. He makes it looks so easy, with Donna McKechnie, no less.
9 . Alice Cooper: Welcome To My Nightmare--Archives November 2002 David produced. David directed. David choreographed. David rocks. Case close. 10 . Codename Vengeance Action-packed adventure story with Robert Ginty, the gorgeous Shannon Tweed and one of my favorites, the gorgeous James Ryan.
July 2009
Some of my wonderful moments with
Michael Jackson By David Winters I first met Michael Jackson on Sunday, 11 March 2001. Diana Ross introduced us as he was to appear on her TV Special that Diana had she also asked me to work on with her. At the time I had been doing all of her stage and TV shows. Michael Jackson was to be a guest and when he turned up for rehearsals Diana introduced me to him. The first thing he said to me before even saying hello was “I know you”, “I don’t think so Michael”, I said. He said “I watch you almost every week, you know ………“West Side Story” and he snapped his fingers and did a little step and smiled. I understood. From that moment on there was nothing to explain to each other, as we were both on the same wavelength. He told me “it’s my favourite film David or should I say A-rab” and he laughed “and I have loads of questions I’d like to ask you about it, if that’s alright” Michael was very polite and respectful and he even seemed a little shy and withdrawn. He was a sweetheart and I certainly loved his work. A-rab was the role I played in the film “West Side Story” Actually I saw a lot of “West Side Story” in his movements and certainly the video for the song “Beat It” was a complete steal of “West Side Story” even right down to the knife fight. I also recognize a lot of Bob Fosse and Fred Astaire in his dancing. Well I always say “If you’re gonna steal, steal from the best” and Michael certainly did. That’s not to take anything away from Michael’s talent. Obviously he didn’t steal the moonwalk from any one of them. But you know you can’t help being influenced by the great ones. Even if you’re a great one yourself. And he certainly was!! Michael was funny and he had a million questions about the film. In fact every time I’ve seen him since then he always asks me questions about “West Side Story”. I know secretly he would have loved to have been in it. In fact he whispered it to me once. The next time I saw Michael was when he and Diana invited me to come to see the taping of the Motown 25 year Anniversary TV Special. They were both going to be on it and so I took Simone Overman, my girlfriend at the time, and we went to the taping. During one part of the show, while Michael was on stage he acknowledged me in the audience and Simone got all excited about that. He nodded to me and smiled, of course I smiled back. I will never forget that performance; because it was the first time that Michael did the moonwalk to a world wide audience. Even Berry Gordy, the owner and Creator of Motown Records was amazed. Everyone was stunned and that night a new Michael Jackson was born. He was unbelievable. He later told me he did it for Berry. He said that if not for Berry he wouldn’t be where he was at that time. Michael was a man who never forgot where he came from and always appreciated what others did for him, and never spoke much, if any, about what he did for others. In 1995 I left America to live in other countries. United Kingdom and Thailand are two places I spent a lot of time. But also every year I spend a lot of my time travelling between France, Italy, Hong Kong, Romania, Singapore, Russia etc. going to all the film markets and festivals. Well I had been in London for a short while when I met a stunning young girl from Russia, Irina. During this time I was putting a deal together to film a Pilot for a TV series “Star School” in Bucharest, Romania, so I invited Irina to accompany me there. Not long after we arrived in Bucharest, Romania I met a guy who owned a TV station and was the promoter of The Michael Jackson Tour. We got talking and I told him that I had worked with Michael previously. He mentioned me to Michael and then came back and told me that Michael wanted to see me right away and was inviting myself and Irina to accompany him to the show and he gave me some extra special V.I.P. passes and told me that we could sit right in the middle of the stadium next to the sound and lights in Michael’s special V.I.P. section. The stadium held over 100,000 people and that night we went with Michael in a limousine. Actually it was part of a huge convoy of limousines that was guarded by hundreds of army soldiers. Michael loved uniforms and loved the feeling of being a dignitary. He was very excited about all the pomp and circumstance surrounding his appearances there. When we arrived there were literally hundreds more military personnel watching over us. We were first served food and drinks and then when it was time for Michael’s entrance, he said goodbye to me, and I and Irina were led out the middle of the stadium to an area that was also very protected by many soldiers with all their gear on. Almost kind of a cross between a soldier and a riot policeman. We were like in a little oasis in this huge stadium and there was a ring of these special forces of police and army men surrounding us the whole time. It was kind of surreal. It was an incredible stage show, and Irina was in hog heaven as she watched Michael perform, having just been with him in the limousine. He WAS amazing and he definitely is one of the all time great live performers I have ever seen. In all we saw about 4 or 5 of his shows that week. Everyone sold out, and everyone better than the last. Michael worked so hard to please his fans. He gave it his all. And boy, did they ever LOVE Michael. The only time I have ever seen this kind of adulation before was when I did 4 films with Elvis. After the show one of Michael’s people came up to me and told me that Michael wanted to talk to me in his hotel suite alone. Poor Irina, she had wanted to see Michael again just to tell him how much she loved his show. As it turned out, I also wanted to talk to Michael about a musical film project that I had called “Nicholas Jingle”. It is the story of how Santa Clause came to be. I wanted Michael to play Oliver J. Twinkleberry, an elf and the spirit of Christmas in the film. So with Irina and Michael Badica waiting in the coffee shop of the hotel I was taken up to Michael’s suite. Obviously we are all aware of the charges that have been leveled at Michael, but I never thought much about it because I know that Roman Polanski was set up with a young girl, I had had my own problems with the law and I know of many other cases where innocent people have been prayed on and set up to look guilty. It has killed some careers and ruined numerous lives. Out of frustration and humiliation some actors have even taken their own lives. I was being led into Michael’s presidential suite when a little boy walks past me. I must say for that split second even I thought “My God, is it true?” then as we turn into the living room there is a little girl playing in the corner. I wonder just what is going on here and then before I know it I’m introduced to the mother of the children, who is on the couch in the living room. She is well off, that’s for sure and then I meet her husband. I had seen him filming the show on video several times. They had just come to say goodbye to Michael as they were leaving in the morning. It shows you how fast you can jump to the wrong conclusion. Even me who never believed what the press said about Michael. I felt real stupid. But I never mentioned it to anyone. Just then Michael came out and said “why don’t we sit in the dining room”. I told him what a fabulous show he put on and we exchanged pleasantries. I told him that I was now very friendly with his dad Joe, and that his mother Katherine, who was really sweet, had cooked me dinner one night at his house in the valley in L.A. He then started with his questions regarding, you know it, “West Side Story”. As he’s asking me one of the questions he puts these crazy glasses on that that have slinkys for eyes. You know the kind that you laugh at when you see them. Big eyes, and these silly round metal things falling from each eye. Michael looked soo silly but his questions were very serious. We sat there for about 45 minutes talking and oblivious of anyone else in the room. The promoter was also in the room with us but Michael never said a word to him, and didn’t even acknowledge him. It was terrific. It was the first time I had had such a long conversation with him, and I realized how well he knew “West Side Story”. I also talked about my film and he said he was very very interested in it. He told me to get him the script and he’d get beck to me very quickly. My heart was beating very fast at the prospect of having Michael in the film. We said goodnight to each other and I left feeling very happy personally and very satisfied professionally about our time together. My friend the promoter went down in the elevator with me and was stunned. He told me that as long as he knew Michael he had never seen him talk to someone for so long and be so animated. In fact he said that Michael rarely talked to anyone. I felt truly honored as Michael had invited me to come see him again the next day. As Irina and I retired to our hotel all I could think about was what a lovely sweet human being Michael was, as well as one of the greatest entertainers in the world! In that way, he reminded me of my other friend Sammy Davis Jr. When Michael moved to Amsterdam with his show I decided to go and take some friends with me. My friend Skye (ex-stuntwoman), Ciro Orsini (restaurant owner), Garry Stretch (actor and ex- Light Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World) all came along. We drove in two cars, as it’s an easy drive. We met my friends Arthur Lodder and George when we got there. Wherever Michael appears anywhere he is the hot ticket, and in Amsterdam they sold out in 45 minutes for all 6 shows. He is truly a phenomenon. So later that afternoon Skye and I went to the Hotel where hundreds of screaming kids were being held back by the police and waiting for Michael. They screamed even louder when I pulled in with my cream coloured Rolls Royce and it’s California license plate “Muvies” They all tried to look in the back, thinking that I was smuggling Michael in to the hotel. Security let us through and we picked up all of our tickets, and just as we were about to go Michael comes in the front door of the Hotel lobby. There’s madness outside. Lights flashing everywhere, fans screaming even louder than before and all the handlers trying to rush Michael through the lobby to to his suite. Michael sees me and stops. ”Hi David” he says in that hushed tone, I’m now used to. He was barely audible above the din of the fans. “Hi Michael” I said in return “this is my friend Skye”. He said “I’ve just come from the hospital, where I saw a lot of sick kids” I said “You must be exhausted, go rest and we’ll see you backstage or here tomorrow”. He nodded in appreciation and was swooped up and almost carried to the elevator by his entourage. I turned and watched him disappear. I thought what a giving person. He just arrived in town and even before he checks into the hotel he goes right away to the hospital to visit the seriously sick children in the cancer ward. He seriously LOVED children. And I loved the child in Michael!! In fact I accompanied him on one of these trips. He would go tirelessly from hospital to hospital meeting these children just to brighten up their lives. When he finished the visit he would ask the hospital nurses and doctors what was needed at the hospital in terms of equipment for the kids. Once told, he would then make an anonymous donation to the hospital. Why don’t the papers write about these things? The goodness that he takes time out to do and his unselfishness in his love of all the children on this planet. This is a very generous person, in every way. I also remembered that in the same way, Frank Sinatra gave tens of millions to charities, also anonymously. Yet no one ever wrote that about Frank either. In a funny way, for a moment, they seemed the same to me Michael and Frank. They were both singing stars as kids and both became institutions. And the only press they ever got was negative and yet they were both such good people. They were both misunderstood and were both hounded by the press. And were both bigger than life. Well it was show time and it was arranged that Kenny Ortega, who was Michael’s director on this show and a good friend of mine, would drive with me to the stadium. Kenny has gone on to huge success as a director of the incredibly popular Disney “High School Movie” films. All my friends piled into my car and off we went to see Michael. Having a Special Michael’s V.I.P. pass made it real easy for me to get to backstage where the trucks had unloaded Michael’s sets and props and costumes. Michael’s show travels with 250 people. It takes 4 of the largest planes in the world from Russia and numerous trucks to move the show from city to city. I parked and we went to the hospitality area to get some drinks and food. We went back to Michael’s dressing room where he sees more sick children before the show. In a way, his whole life is dedicated to sick children. These kids adore Michael and during the show in one of the numbers he has about 40 of them come on stage and a little girl gives a flower to a soldier who is coming out of a tank. It’s a very touching moment. And YES he travels with the tank!!! He ships it in one of those huge Russian cargo planes from country to country. All my friends got to meet Michael and were thrilled. Skye and I went to see every show that week. My Friend Arthur was part owner with George in a fabulous disco in Amsterdam “Heaven for Sinners”, so we all went there after the show. A bunch of the dancers from Michaels show joined us and we kind of took over the place and danced all night long. We did the same thing at a few other clubs during that week. It was party! party! party! and soo much fun. One day, as I was waiting in the hotel lobby for Michael, a bunch of his close fans came over and spoke to me. They had seen me talking with Michael and wanted to pick my brain. These kids follow him all over the world. They come from Germany, America, South Africa, everywhere. If they can afford it they follow his tour, even to Hawaii and The Far East. Some of the girls and boys I talked to talk about nothing other than Michael. Some of the girls dream of marrying him and they are all very friendly with each other and try to find out where he will be every day and then they will be there just hoping to catch a glimpse of him. He knows them all and so they are allowed to get closer to him, like in his lobby, and they just wait and wait all day, all night, and every day and night for their hero. A couple have called me since, and asked me for information about Michael’s whereabouts, and I’ve tried to explain to them, that I have my own life and I don’t spend all my time finding out where he is, which seemed hard for them to understand. Then there’s another group who wait outside the hotel, all night long hoping he’ll come to his window for a second. Sometimes Michael sends out food and soup or drinks for these kids. He is very thoughtful in this way, and truly appreciates his fans. Another day I was waiting to see him and one of assistants had been told by Michael to tell me he was sorry that he wouldn’t be able to see me because he had some doctors that just flew in, and they were giving him shots in his face. I don’t know if I heard her correctly but it sounded kind of weird to me. During that week most of the daytimes Michael was always going to see kids in hospitals or orphanage and then in the evening he did the show. He expended a huge amount of energy in his shows and I don’t know how he did it. But I can tell you for sure; this man was truly dedicated to helping children all over the world. And I feel honoured to have known him, and also to have worked with him. He will be remembered forever as his music will live on and on. Michael my dear sweet friend, rest, and I hope you are finally at peace. You were and still are THE GREATEST!!! ….David Winters……..Dated…. Friday June 26, 2009
April 2009 - June 2009
Happy Birthday!
Much love and blessings to David Winters on his special day and throughout the year.
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