The Jackson 5 - I'll Be There and Feelin' Alright - Diana Ross TV Special (1971)

What this video is

Broadcast on ABC on April 18, 1971, the Diana! special represents a pivotal intersection of Motown's crossover ambitions and the American prime-time variety television format. The Jackson 5 had achieved four consecutive number-one Billboard Hot 100 singles by this point, with 'I'll Be There' being their fourth chart-topper. Their appearance alongside Diana Ross — who had served as their nominal Motown patron —…

Why it matters

This segment preserves one of the earliest broadcast television performances of 'I'll Be There,' the Jackson 5's fourth consecutive number-one single and arguably their most emotionally mature early recording. As a pre-music-video-era television document, it represents how Motown leveraged variety…

The director

Kip Walton is credited as the television director of the 1971 ABC prime-time special Diana!, Diana Ross's first solo television special. The special aired April 18, 1971 on ABC and is listed on IMDb (tt0479654). The production won a Primetime Emmy Award.