The Supremes
The Supremes were a wildly successful Motown singing group from the 1960s. Though the personnel changed frequently over the years, the Supremes began as Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Betty McGlown, old friends who had met in a public housing project in Detroit, Michigan. The quartet were originally known as The Primettes and made a single for Lupine in 1960. During that same year, McGlown left the group to concentrate on her school studies and was replaced by Barbara Martin. In January 1961, they signed a contract with Motown but then were told by Motown president Berry Gordy to change their group name. Ballard chose the name "Supremes". Shortly thereafter, Martin left to start a family and the group continued as a trio.
When the group began, all of the members took turns singing lead; but in 1962, Berry Gordy made Diana Ross the sole lead singer. After a string of unsuccessful singles and a debut album ("Meet the Supremes"), they managed to have their first Top 40 hit in 1963 ("When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes", #23) The next year, they had their first #1 hit "Where Did Our Love Go" and four more #1 hits: "Baby Love" (which also went to #1 in Britain), "Come See About Me" (both 1964), "Stop! In the Name of Love", and "Back in My Arms Again" (both 1965).
After 1965, the Supremes' singles were less uniformly massive, though they still charted on a regular basis. Personnel problems within the group and within Motown Records' stable of performers led to tension among the Supremes. Because of her excessive drinking and growing unprofessional behavior, Florence Ballard was replaced in 1967 by Cindy Birdsong (Patti LaBelle & the Blue Belles); she attempted a solo career with ABC Records, but her two 1968 singles failed to chart anywhere and her solo album was never released; she eventually sunk into poverty living on welfare and died of cardiac arrest on February 22, 1976 (age 32). When Birdsong joined the group, the Supremes became Diana Ross & the Supremes while personality problems continued to plague the group. Rumors of a possible solo career by Ross helped to tear the group apart. This was finally announced in 1969, and Ross officially left in 1970, replaced by Jean Terrell. In 1972, they had their last Top 20 hit "Floy Joy" (#16) and shortly, their popularity began to wane very highly. Birdsong left to start a family and was replaced by Lynda Laurence (a former member of Stevie Wonder's backup group Wonderlove. In late 1973, Terrell, who wished to leave the group, was replaced by Scherrie Payne (sister of Freda Payne), and ironically, Laurence left for the same reason as Birdsong and was replaced by Birdsong. They continue to record and perform with very little success, but they managed to have a #1 disco hit with the song "He's My Man" (1975). In 1976, Birdsong, dissatisfied with the management of the Supremes, left again and was replaced by Susaye Greene, another former member of Wonderlove. During that same year, the Supremes had their final Top 40 hit "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking". In June 1977, the Supremes performed their farewell concert at the Drury Lane Theatre in London and officially disbanded.
Mary Wilson's autobiography "Dreamgirl My Life As A Supreme" was published in 1986 and was dedicated to her family and "to the memory of Florence "Blondie" Ballard".
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
The Supremes US Top 40 Singles List
The Supremes
- December 1963 - When The Lovelight Starts Shining In His Eyes # 23
- July 1964 - Where Did Our Love Go # 1 (2 weeks)'
- October 1964 - Baby Love - # 1 (4 weeks)'
- November 1964 - Come See About Me - # 1 (2 weeks)'
- March 1965 - Stop! In The Name Of Love - # 1 (2 weeks)
- May 1965 - Back In My Arms Again # 1 (1 week)
- August 1965 - Nothing But Heartaches - # 11
- October 1965 - I Hear A Symphony - # 1 (2 weeks)'
- January 1966 - My World Is Empty Without You - # 5
- May 1966 - Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart - # 9
- August 1966 - You Can't Hurry Love - # 1 (2 weeks)'
- November 1966 - You Keep Me Hangin' On - # 1 (2 weeks)'
- February 1967 - Love Is Here And Now You're Gone - # 1 (1 week)'
- April 1967 - The Happening - # 1 (1 week)'
Diana Ross & The Supremes
- August 1967 - Reflections - # 2
- November 1967 - In And Out Of Love - # 9
- April 1968 - Forever Came Today - # 28
- July 1968 - Some Things You Never Get Used To - # 30
- October 1968 - Love Child - # 1 (2 weeks)'
Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations
- December 1968 - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - # 2
Diana Ross & The Supremes
- February 1969 - I'm Livin' In Shame - # 10
Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations
- March 1969 - I'll Try Something New - # 25
Diana Ross & The Supremes
- April 1969 - The Composer - # 27
- June 1969 - No Matter What Sign You Are - # 31
- November 1969 - Someday We'll Be Together - # 1 (1 week)'
- The Supremes
- March 1970 - Up The Ladder To The Roof - # 10
- August 1970 - Everybody's Got The Right To Love - # 21
- November 1970 - Stoned Love - # 7
The Supremes & Four Tops
- December 1970 - River Deep Mountain High - # 14
The Supremes
- May 1971 - Nathan Jones - # 16
- January 1972 - Floy Joy - # 16
- June 1972 - Automatically Sunshine # 37
- August 1976 - I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking - # 40
External link
Vocal Group Hall of Fame page on The Supremes
Referenced By
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