The Supremes

[markolas]

I want to start a thread about the Supremes. Yes, we know the hits, but IMO their album The Supremes Sing Rodgers and Hart is one of the finest albums ever recorded, second only to Judy at Carnegie Hall.

The most famous lineup of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Flo Ballard, lasted from 1961-1967 and is responsible for their most well-known hits. Flo was fired in 1967 and replaced by Cindy Birdsong (who left Patti LaBelle & the Blue Bells to join them; Patti was pissed for a long time). The group continued with Cindy as Diana Ross & the Supremes until Ross left in 1970.

Jean Terrell took over as lead singer and the group had a few more hits. Jean and Cindy both left in 1972, and Mary Wilson recruited Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne (sister of "Band of Gold" singer Freda Payne) as replacements. Lynda left after a year, and Cindy Birdsong returned to the group.

The Supremes fortunes continued to decline, and Cindy Birdsong left again in 1976 (the same year that original Supreme Flo Ballard died), replaced by Susaye Greene. In 1977, Mary Wilson decided to disband the group.

Mary attempted a solo career, but she was never much of a singer. She penned a couple of tell-all books in the 1980s, detailing the shady dealings of Motown founder Berry Gordy, who was porking Diana Ross and groomed her to be the star.

I've found myself quite enjoying some a lot of the post-Diana Ross Supremes music. They did a few great disco songs in the mid-70s with Scherrie Payne on lead vocals. I also quite enjoy some of Diana's solo material, especially the jazzy album Blue, recorded right after the Lady Sings the Blues film in 1972, but not released until 2006. She also did some great pop-rock stuff in the '80s. She's a total narcissist as a person, though.

Mary Wilson has a very over-inflated sense of her own talents, but I believe Diana and Berry did not treat her well.

[markolas]

"Where or When," from The Supremes Sing Rodgers & Hart - this is the last album the group recorded with Florence Ballard.

"Stoned Love" - from 1970, with Jean Terrell on lead vocals. The biggest hit the Supremes had after Diana Ross left.

"High Energy" - from 1976, with Scherrie Payne on lead vocals.

"I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking" - The Mary Wilson/Scherrie Payne/Susaye Greene line-up. This was the Supremes' final Top 40 hit, in 1976.

Diana Ross - "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" - from the Blue album, recorded in 1972 but not released until 2006.

Diana Ross - "Pieces of Ice" - 1983 solo hit by Miss Ross.

[TrueFaith77]

I love the Supremes but don't own any albums. Didn't know they did a Rodgers and Hart. Knew they did a Rogers and Hammerstein. Motown is amazing.

Also: Wish Bryan Ferry would do a Supremes covers album; much better than Bob Dylan.

[markolas]

They were always primarily a singles group. Rodgers & Hart is one of their only "themed" albums. It was also the last thing they recorded before Florence Ballard left. She really brought a distinctive sound to the group that was desperately missed once she was gone.

[Artemis]

I've always been utterly fascinated by the story of Florence Ballard, one of the more interesting and tragic stories in music history.

[Dex]

Originally Posted by Artemis

I've always been utterly fascinated by the story of Florence Ballard, one of the more interesting and tragic stories in music history.

Absolutely agree.

I had an ex who was obsessed with The Supremes in a big way. I never connected with most of the music all that much, but the story was just so intriguing to me.

However, the (I think only) Florence-led single Buttered Popcorn is one song I seem to catch myself singing in the kitchen rather a lot. It's just so infectious! And my baby doesn't even really like buttered popcorn very much! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLfwo8luyZk

Another favourite of mine is Love Child. That one pops into my head now and again too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rntxzyRt9UQ Just so perfectly over the top in all the ways that get me.

[markolas]

Originally Posted by Artemis

I've always been utterly fascinated by the story of Florence Ballard, one of the more interesting and tragic stories in music history.

It really is profoundly sad. She had some major problems resulting from being raped as a teenager and they were evidently never addressed. She was treated abysmally by Berry Gordy and Motown after she was let go from the group. To the extent that she was not allowed to even mention that she had been a Supreme when promoting herself as a solo act.