Soul music fans in Los Angeles are still talking about the Fool in Love Festival held August 31st.
The day — cut down from two to one — brought together dozens of classic soul artists each of whom performed for about 20 minutes. They included Gladys Knight, Al Green, Chaka Khan, and Santana.
Most fans complained that the festival was “chaotic” and that it took place not in a theater or a stadium, but a parking lot.
Top billed for the day were Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, former Motown labelmates who had a smash hit back in 1981 with the song “Endless Love.” Richie wrote the song for the movie of the same title. The movie was a bust but the song has gone on to be covered hundreds of times.
It did seem from the advertising that Ross and Richie would sing together. But fans were disappointed to learn that the two singers don’t speak to each and don’t sing their famous duet ever. They each have performed it in solo shows, though, so it’s not that there aren’t charts for the musicians.
But Ross appeared at 8pm for a medley of hits. Richie came on at 9:30pm. But no “Endless Love” from either of them.
Last year, Richie was upset with Ross when she went to a party Beyonce was throwing instead of accepting his invitation to perform the duet at one of his shows in San Francisco. Richie told the crowd, exasperated, “[For over] 37 years, Diana said ‘No [to performing the song].’ What made you think tonight she was going to show up? She ain’t coming.”
The only time I know of when the pair sang together was at the 1982 Academy Awards.
No one knows what motivates Diana Ross. She’s never been loyal to her Motown pals from long ago. She didn’t turn up at the big pre Grammy Awards Musicares tribute to Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson in 2023, even though Lionel and Stevie Wonder performed. She was always nasty to fellow Supreme, the late great Mary Wilson.
As for FoolinLove, not a lot of people posted to social media, but the ones that did complained about it. Andy Gordon wrote on his website: “The ambitious lineup drew thousands of fans who braved sweltering heat, unforgiving asphalt, and four stages that were spread far apart. Pith helmets and a caravan of camels would have come in handy, but seeing the amazingly talented lineup was almost worth the obstacles to getting there.”
Were the artists paid? Let’s hope so. Live Nation was the overall producer. Was money made? That’s anyone’s guess.
