R&B-Gospel-Soul-Jazz

Diane Mathis is one of Detroit’s legendary singers with a career that spans 7 decades. She has performed all across the country and all around the world with legends like “The Platters” and Isaac Hayes. She has recorded hit songs for Capitol Records. And she has produced theatrical shows.

At age 11, Diane was already so talented that she opened for Lou Rawls in Detroit. At age 13 she sang weekly at the Hobby Bar and at the Chit Chat Lounge.

At age 15, Diane was lead singer of a group called “The Debonaires” and was so impressive that Golden World Records signed her to a contract. She debuted her first
song, “How’s Your New Love Treating You?”, on the famed
dance TV show, “Swingin’ Time,” with Robin Seymour.

At age 17, Diane signed with Solid Hit Records and recorded several songs written by George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic. She also started her own Jazz ensemble and played at various Detroit venues.

At age 18, Diane went solo. She was signed by Capitol Records and went on to sing for Isaac Hayes, Johnny Taylor and Donald Bird. She performed at the iconic 20 Grand nightclub with Bobby Taylor where a young new young group called The Jackson Five opened for her.

At age 22, Diane went on the road with The Undisputed Truth.

At age 25, Diane signed with Major Records. She later worked local gigs with The Jimmy Wilkins Band which was populated by members of The Motown Funk Brothers.

At age 28, Diane landed a gig with Isaac Hayes and toured internationally with him. She also recorded background vocals for dozens of national artists that he produced.

At age 29, Diane moved on to singing with Paul Clark for the group, Klever Affair, all along the east coast. Upon seeing her perform, Buck Ram, owner of the iconic group, The Platters, recruited her to be their new lead female singer, She would tour with them till 2014.

At age 34, Diane returned to Detroit and for the next few years she began performing for multiple groups - including Heaven, Sapphire, Rumplestiltskin, and Sinnomon. She also
performed for Jimmy White’s “Motown Review” as Tammi Terrell. And she continued to tour
with The Platters.

In the 1990s, Diane joined the Renaissance Unity Choir and participated in several recordings with them. Then her career shifted a bit as she got into theatre and television. First, Diane wrote and produced a theatrical show called “Bar Stars” at the Paul Roberson theatre to highlight the lives of singers who primarily sing at bars and nightclubs.

Next she sang lead vocals on commercials for Little Caesars Pizza and Ford Motor Company.
Then she sang background vocals for the popular national
TV series, “Xena The Princess Warrior” and “Hercules.”

Diane continued touring , producing her own songs and singing with The Gospel Truth Choir which earned honors two years in a row at The Detroit Music Awards ceremonies.
In the 2000s, Diane produced and sang song for a group called E-Life, which evolved into Thee One Nation. She also sang background vocals for Deniece Williams at The Music Hall.

Diane also had the honor of singing background vocals for the PBS nationally televised
show, “70s Soul Explosion,” which featured KC & The Sunshine Band, Wild Cherry, Bonnie
Pointer, and Chic. And she continued to sing with The Platters.

In 2013, Diane joined The Motown Legends Gospel Choir with whom she earned another Detroit Music Award honor. She also opened for The Whispers at Sound Board and sang at the Detroit Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the opening of Beacon Park. She even produced a stage play entitled, “You Ain’t Paid No Dues Till You’ve Heard My Blues.”

Diane has a unique rapport with her audiences, often bringing them to tears when she sings. Her greatest singing moment came in the 1980s when she performed with Isaac Hayes in front of 90,000 people at a soccer stadium in Australia. Her most memorable moment was at a 2013 Platters concert in Osaka, Japan where a woman brought a photo of her husband who died that week so they could celebrate their 50th anniversary “together.” After she heard
Diane sing, “I Will Always Love You,” she cried and told Diane it was her new favorite song.

For 7 decades, Diane’s performances have had a profound emotional impact on hundreds of thousands of music lovers around the world. She has thrilled, inspired, soothed, and touched people hearts. She has used her talent to entertain people and make them smile. She is a remarkable artist and a special person. One of Detroit’s greatest Musical Treasures