ROSS

ON

...WHY?

The BBC reports that Glastonbury headliner Diana Ross’s voice “betrayed the signs of her advancing years. But, when the 78 year-old missed the occasional high note, or jumped ahead of the beat, she made it look intentional… as if it was the band’s fault for not keeping up.” Shoot the messenger, eh? 

Some viewers criticised the diva’s delivery as being... “off-key”!

The timeworn troubadour told the turnout that she loved “…singing in the daytime, where I can see your faces, and see your eyes.” Shots of the crowd showed that the vast majority were wearing sunglasses, and some were simply dots on the horizon. A new scriptwriter needed I think!

Artie Shaw, born May 23 1910, was an American musician, composer, bandleader, actor and author of both fiction and non-fiction. He is widely regarded as "one of jazz's finest clarinetists".

In July 1954, at the age of 44, he stopped playing the clarinet, citing his own perfectionism, which, he later said, would have killed him. He explained to a reporter: "In the world we live in, compulsive perfectionists finish last. “I have taken the clarinet as far as anyone can possibly go. To continue playing would be a disservice. He never played again. 

He was harshly critical of himself and of the music business. He died on December 30, 2004, aged 94. 

Before you accuse me on being ageist, I was born just 72 days after Ernestine. I used to be in showbiz, but I retired a good few years ago. Quit while you’re ahead... and capable!