Josephine Baker vs. Diana Ross

As I was searching YouTube for video of Josephine Baker, I noticed that for some reason Diana Ross and Josephine Baker are linked together in the searches. That caused me to think that a good topic for a blog would be to compare and contrast the virtues of these two singular divas of stage and screen, who have much in common, but still are as different as night and day. As we shall see, one clearly outshines the other. Hence, I give you Josephine vs. Diana.

I want first to go on record as saying that for me it is a total no-brainer that the clear victor in terms of style, originality, and downright fabulously is Josephine. That is not to say that I am not a great admirer of Diana Ross. I could never be anti-Diana. After all who can not be some sort of a fan of the frontwoman for one of the most influential girl groups of our parents generation (The Supremes) and hit maker for decades. Her drag-queenish style and gigantic fluffy hair not withstanding Diana is an icon. HOWEVER, La Baker was first and much better.

La Baker was trying to be a star in a time when the names of some of the popular vaudeville shows of the day were such racist titles as "Shuffle Along," "Bama-Babies," and"Plantation Memories." In this environment of outright racism and with the popularity of the minstrel in blackface, La Baker managed to not just become a star, but conquer the world, become the toast of Europe, purchase a castle complete with a feudal domain, and receive the highest honours of her adopted country France. In a time where black performers could only rise so far in America, La Baker sailed for Paris where she appeared in a show called "Le Revue Negre" (literally "The Black Revue") in which she scandalized Parisienne society in a number called "La Danse Sauvage." In this piece, she appeared topless (a la sauvage) and danced in a skirt of feathers with an intimidating looking jungle warrior.

Diana Ross never had to play to such outrageous stereotypes as the world was pretty different in the late 50's and 60's and the movement had already begun. La Baker was scandalizing all of Europe and the world in the 20's and 30's. Many people had never before seen a beautiful, articulate black woman, seductive and intelligent, who could dance the charleston covered in diamonds in one vignette and perform in a skirt of bananas and a smile in the next.

Both women had many things in common, such as turbulent personal lives. The inexplainable attraction for skinny, unattractive, probably gay white men. Days of blissful glory and the sting of being passed over for another generation. Both women were fashionable but Josephine much more so as she was dressed by the finest couturiers in Paris.

In conclusion, both women will be remembered and spoken of in the days to come. As for me, the body of work, subject matter, and style of La Baker is much, much more fascinating. I encourage all to explore her body of work. Examples of her contributions are available at Yahoo Music. Two of her biggest hits are"J'ai Deux Amoures" ("I Have 2 Loves") and "Si J'etais Blanche" (If I was White). The style is very old-fashioned and her high, quivering voice is in keeping with the taste of those times. She also starred in movies "Princess Tam-Tam" and "Zouzou".

Ty the Emperor