Robert Ellis Silberstein

Robert Ellis Silberstein
Silberstein in 2014
Born (1946-01-05) January 5, 1946 (age 79)
Elberon, New Jersey, U.S.
Other namesBob Ellis
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1971; div. 1977)​
Children3, including Tracee Ellis Ross and Rhonda Ross Kendrick

Robert Ellis Silberstein (also known as Bob Ellis; born January 5, 1946) is an American music executive and businessman. During his career, he managed many musicians, including his ex-wife Diana Ross, Billy Preston, Rufus, the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood, Meat Loaf and Status Quo.[1]

Early life and education

Silberstein was born into a family of Jewish garment manufacturers in Elberon, New Jersey.[2][3][4] He graduated from West Virginia University and earned a teaching degree.

Career

Bob moved to Los Angeles in late 1969 or early 1970 and met Diana Ross by chance two months later. While both in a men's shop, Diana asked Bob for help picking out a gift for her then-partner, Motown Industries chairman Berry Gordy.[5]

Though he never managed his wife, he managed the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood; Billy Preston; Meatloaf; and Chaka Khan, whom he discovered while managing Rufus.[6][7][8][9]

In 2018, he was associated with the short-lived movie ticket subscription startup, MoviePass, and was subsequently named in a lawsuit citing unlawful gender discrimination and sexual harassment.[10][11]

Personal life

Silberstein was married to Diana Ross from 1971 to 1977.[8] They have two daughters together, Tracee Ellis Ross and Chudney Ross.[12] Diana Ross has one daughter from a previous relationship, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, whose biological father is Motown founder Berry Gordy, and who was born a few months after Silberstein and Ross married. Silberstein knowingly adopted her as his own.

References

  1. ^ "Exes". People Magazine. February 27, 1984.
  2. ^ Windeler, Robert (January 26, 1976). "Mr. & Mrs. Diana Ross?". PEOPLE. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  3. ^ Miller, Gerri (January 20, 2015). "Tracee Ellis Ross: Black-ish and Jewish". InterfaithFamily. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  4. ^ "Diana Ross's Daughter Tracee Ellis Ross: Her Time to Shine". PEOPLE. December 15, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  5. ^ "Mr and Mrs Diana Ross". People Magazine. January 26, 1976.
  6. ^ "Throwback Thursday: A Preteen Tracee Ellis Ross Tagged Along with Mom". The Hollywood Reporter. July 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "Story Highlights", Instagram, January 21, 2022
  8. ^ a b "Showbiz Wiz". People Magazine. January 15, 1979.
  9. ^ "Rare Photos of Mick Jagger, Anjelica Huston, and More from the 1970s". Vanity Fair. October 9, 2013.
  10. ^ "A former MoviePass marketing director is suing 2 top execs and a consultant at the defunct startup, alleging 'unlawful gender discrimination and sexual harassment'". Business Insider. August 20, 2020.
  11. ^ "MoviePass got rid of a consultant accused of inappropriate behavior toward women after executives threatened to quit. His quiet return has shaken the company". Business Insider. December 19, 2018.
  12. ^ "Diana Ross plans a four-day wedding spectacular in Hawaii for daughter Chudney". NY Daily News. May 26, 2015.