On the very short list of artists who are legends, divas and sheer superstars all rolled into one total package, Diana Ross is easily one of the most enduring and adored from the 1960s through this very second. It’s no wonder why the singer/actress extraordinaire filled up The Venue At Horseshoe Casino (not all that different from the Las Vegas institutions she packed way back when) with people of practically all ages, races and orientations, who after 70 fast but fabulous minutes, appeared to unanimously agree the age-defying 73-year-old reigned supreme.

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” seemed like a harmonious window into heaven above, while her take on “I Will Survive” couldn’t have been a more ideal statement from a performer who’s accomplished absolutely everything, yet continues to stun in every aspect of the stage.

But before look back on leading one of most beloved girl groups in all of history, the runaway-ready Ross, her six-piece band and three background singers kicked off the “In The Name Of Love” Tour with the always appropriate “I’m Coming Out,” a declaration of solo independence that continues to speak of celebrating individuality. She also took a whirl around Spiral Staircase’s joyful “More Today Than Yesterday,” which was pulled from her last studio album “I Love You,” though she could’ve very easily been the one to ride it all the way up the charts.

Speaking of yesteryear, Motown’s most famous woman also made sure to roll through several of The Supremes’ tunes, including “My World Is Empty Without You,” “Baby Love,” “You Can’t Hurry Love” and a few others, sounding pretty close to how she did on those very records. However, it was “Stop! In The Name Of Love” that garnered the most audience involvement, especially when they mirrored the diva-riffic entertainer every time she assertively thrust her hand in the air.

The hits (and outfit changes) kept right on rolling, though the momentum was briefly derailed when a microphone malfunctioned throughout “The Boss.” Ms. Ross may have worn a smile on the outside, but made it clear she wasn’t satisfied with the sound and firmly requested it be corrected as a crew member surely sweated bullets.

Thankfully, it was quickly remedied by the tender “Touch Me In The Morning” and any tension completely erased by the time “Upside Down” filled up the aisles with dancers and an invitation for a few elated attendees to briefly join Diana. The only other drama came during “Love Hangover” when Ross appeared agitated with her earring, but after a casual unclasping, she simply chucked it into the wings and went on fanning herself as if the annoyance never occurred.

The beats continued to build with 1995’s “Take Me Higher” and “Ease On Down The Road” (from “The Wiz”), though it was “Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)” that had the crowd in awe given both its beauty and the headliner’s sparkling silver gown. It’s follow-up “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” seemed like a harmonious window into heaven above, while her take on “I Will Survive” (intermixed with DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” and featuring daughter/opening act Rhonda Ross) couldn’t have been a more ideal statement from a performer who’s accomplished absolutely everything, yet continues to stun in every aspect of the stage.

For additional information on Diana Ross, visit Facebook.com/DianaRoss.

Upcoming concert highlights at The Venue At Horseshoe Casino include The Righteous Brothers: Bill Medley and Bucky Heard (July 29); The Isley Brothers (Aug. 4); Jeff Dunham (Aug. 6); Patti LaBelle (Aug. 18); Marinella & Antonis Remos (Sept. 30); Aaron Lewis (Oct. 6) and Merry Christmas with Keith Sweat and Will Downing (Dec. 9). For additional details, visit ConcertMgmt.com, TheVenueChicago.com and Ticketmaster.com.

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