THE SUPREMES...
INDIVIDUALLY & COLLECTIVELY
THE RECORDINGS: 1977 AND BEYOND Back to the Top
FLORENCE BALLARD Back to Index
Florence Ballard's legacy and ground-breaking role as one of the founding members of the world famous Supremes should have been assured in the musical history books. Instead, she is remembered as one of rock n' roll's most heartbreaking and unsettling stories. Her importance in the group's dynamics has never been fully realized or acknowledged. She originally was the lead of the Primettes who would later sign with Motown as the Supremes. In fact, it was Florence who picked the name 'Supremes' for the former sister group of the Temptations. While Motown experimented with Florence's voice as the lead, it was determined that Diana Ross had the more "commercial" sound that they wanted. But it wasn't for lack of trying; several singles with Florence in the lead was released but failed to capture the public's attention. Over time, as Diana Ross gained prominence (due to her lead vocal work), Florence, along with Mary Wilson, were regulated to the background. Except for a few "solo" spots in concert and the occasional album cut, few people got to hear Florence's magnificent voice. It was rumored that after her "People" solo in concert was altered to include Mary and Diana (then finally to Diana), Florence became increasing disappointed and angry at Motown. Florence missed two shows in New Orleans and Montreal. After a few missed appearances and sloppy performances (including the infamous Flamingo Hotel incident where Cindy Birdsong replaced Florence midway through the show and no one noticed), it was agreed that she would be "released" from her contract to the group in 1967. She signed and released two solo singles for ABC Records in early 1968. Unfortunately, her singles went nowhere and ABC decided to shelve her debut album, "You Don't Have To".
Her rags-to-riches-to-rags story was the basis of the Tony Award winning musical, Dreamgirls.
A biography detailing her life was written by Randall Wilson entitled "Forever Faithful: Florence Ballard" (second edition, copyright 1999)
Love Ain't Love
Oh I could this love in my heart
A heart aint a heart until you share it
So come on, let me share it with you
Do all the things I've been longin' to
CHORUS:
Oh a bell ain't a bell until you ring it
A song ain't a song until you sing it
Baby, life ain't life until you live it
& love ain't love until you give it, no no no
Ooo what good would it do me to dream of your kiss?
A kiss ain't a kiss until you feel it
So come on, let me kiss your lips
Light all aglow with the thrill I miss
(chorus)
Ooo what good would it do me to wish you were mine?
Mine ain't mine until I got it
So come on, tell me you’ll be mine
Right now, babe, stop wastin' time
(repeat chorus & fade)
Originally a member of the Bluebells, featuring Patti Labelle, she replaced Florence Ballard in The Supremes in 1968. She continued as a Supreme when Diana Ross left but decided to leave the group when she got married to raise a family. However, her love as a Supreme drew her back into the group until 1975 when she left again after completing the 'High Energy' album. She became a minister but performs occasionally dividing her attention between her solo career, the Labelle and the Supremes.
Cindy Birdsong's "Dancing Room" was released overseas on Hi-Hat Records in 1987. It did not chart in the United States or U.K., but was played enthusiastically in clubs.
To find out more about Cindy Birdsong click here: Cindy Birdsong
RECORDINGS
UNRELEASED RECORDINGS:
Susaye never charted with a hit of her own, although she did write the hit "Free" which was co-written and recorded by Deniece Williams, and a song for Michael Jackson, "I Can't Help It."
Before joining the Supremes she was a member of Stevie Wonder's back-up group, the Wonderloves. Deniece Williams was also a member.
Among Susaye's achievement: She sang background on The Rolling Stones 'Tumbling Dice' album.
After The Supremes, Susaye recorded the 'Partners' album with Scherrie Payne. Between 1977-1984, she hosted her own TV show called 'Hollywood Hot', a music program whose guests included the likes of Stevie Wonder and Brenda Russell. In 1984, Susaye toured England with Stevie Wonder, met her husband-to-be, and decided to stay in England.
She sang leads on some Ralettes' singles and sat in on sessions with the group, New Birth, which resulted in the song: 'Until It's Time For You To Go'.
Susaye also did the vocals for Courtney Pine's "Children Of The Ghetto", EP single in 1986, for his 'Journey To The Urge Within' album/cd.
Rumors abound that Susaye also recorded under the name of 'Norma Lewis.' But she set the record straight when she wrote me a while back:
Date: 12/25/99 3:54:03 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Susayegreene
To: FRimando
Hello and Happy Holidays to you!
I visited your wonderful page today and I thought I'd drop you a quick line with greetings for the New Millennium. Here's hoping 2000 is wonderful for you and yours.
Just a quick correction, if I may: I've never recorded under any name other than my own, no disrespect to the lady in question. I'm sure she's very talented in her own right, but I never sang under the name Norma Lewis.
Please visit me at <www.supremextreme.com> and/or e-mail me at
susayegreene@supremextreme.com
Take care and kind regards, Susaye
Recordings:
Your Sweet Love (w/Scherrie Payne)
I Found Another Love (w/Scherrie Payne)
Please Send Him Back/That's The Way My Love (Tru-Glo-Town, 1973)
Lynda cousin is Tammi Terrell. She joined the Supremes in 1972. Currently touring as a member of the resurrected Supremes, also known as The Former Ladies of the Supremes (FLOS)
Linda, along with Trevor Lawrence, had a disco hit in 1977 called "Disco Lucy" (I Love Lucy Theme). It hit #41 Soul and #24 Pop on Island Records. It is available on various CD compilations. It was followed by "Baby Love, Sweet Sweet Love which hit #82 on the Soul Chart only. The name of the group was Wilton Place Street Band. Trevor Lawrence lived on Wilton Place in Los Angeles.
Lynda dueted with Harry Nilsson, on "Just One Look/Baby I'm Yours" (RCA Records, 1976).
Lynda sang "Quiet Carnival", "Sampaguita" & "Tomorrow Is Mine", for Moacir Santos' 'Carnival Of The Spirits' (album, Blue Note Records, 1975)
Using the moniker 'Norma Lewis', Lynda scored with "Life Is The Reason". On the Hot Productions CD, "The Best Of Norma Lewis", Lynda sings lead on the first five songs ("Life Is The Reason", "You've Got Something", "(Give Me Back) Just A Little Piece Of My Heart", "Make Your Own Kind Of Music", "When Loving You"), and the next five songs are by another singer using the same name. The songs "Maybe This Time" and "The Fight (For The Single Family)" are the biggest hits recorded under the name Norma Lewis, but these aren't Lynda's vocals.
Lynda stated during a live chat on MSN: 'My favorite Supreme song is "Love Is Here". The lyrics of that song spoke to my inner self. I don't think I was in love at the time but I thought what incredible lyrics that if you think that when they're gone, look what you've done to me. And of course the music of that song is still a special one for me. I still get goose bumps when I hear Diana sing that song.
I also enjoyed "Signed Sealed and Delivered" that I sang with Stevie Wonder.
Lynda is currently performing with Diana Ross and Scherrie
Payne during the Summer 2000 concert season in a tour dubbed, 'Return to Love. Billed as Diana Ross and the Supremes, they will travel to 25 cities.
Recordings:
(Born: November 14, 1944, Detroit MI)
Originally the lead singer of the legendary group, Glass House, who charted in the early 70's with "Crumbs Off the Table," Scherrie was invited to join the Supremes after Jean Terrell left in 1974. Incredibly, she was not their first choice. Sister Freda Payne (Band of Gold) originally was invited to join, but she politely turned it down. Instead, she suggested her sister and after one audition, Scherrie became a part of history. With a strong, powerful voice, Scherrie took the Supremes into a new direction, as evident on the Supremes last top 40 hit, "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking. " Her presence in the Supremes was felt in the last three albums they recorded for Motown, whose style, in my opinion, became more soulful, energetic and vocally stronger than the group had ever been. Scherrie was also the lead in one of the Supremes last charted dance hit, "You're My Driving Wheel" Other Supreme hits she sang lead on: "Let Yourself Go", and "Where Do I Go From Here"
In January 2000, it was announced that Scherrie was going to share the stage with her former Supreme, Lynda Laurence once more as part of Diana Ross' 'Return to Love' tour. Billed as Diana Ross and the Supremes, they will be headlining a 25 city tour during the summer of love.
Scherrie Payne charted on the Soul chart as well in 1987. Her first single, "Incredible" from her solo album of the same name, hit #57 (January 31, 1987). It was a duet with label mate Phillip Ingram.
Scherrie's other solo singles were:
"I'm Not In Love/Girl, You're In Love" (12" EP, Altair Records, 1982) [Mary Wilson & Freda Payne provided backups].
Scherrie also did vocals on Noel Pointer's "As Long As I Know", from his 'Calling' 1980 album.
Also, Glasshouse tunes "V.I.P/It Ain't The World (It's The People In It)" were re-released, under Scherrie's name, in 1973.
During a live web chat on MSN, Scherrie stated: ' There was a song "Color My World Blue" that was my favorite. It was a very personal song
that I was coming off a tumultous relationship. The thing that means the most to me is the emotional feedback that I get from the fans. They will say
the right thing right at the right moment that validates you and rejuvenates you.
To find out more about Scherrie Payne, click here: Scherrie Payne
SONGS WITH THE SUPREMES
SOLO
AS SONG WRITER
Keep On Loving Me - Supreme Voices
Don't Rock My World - Supreme Voices
Hit and Miss - Bouncing Back
Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher - Bouncing Back
Pure Energy - Supreme Ladies
Who's Wrong Who's Right - Supreme Ladies
Crumbs Off The Table
Storybook Romance
Another Life From Now
I Found Another Love
Leaving Me Was The Best Thing You've Ever Done
Hotel
Fox
Freddi Poole was a member of The Delicates in the 60's and The Wild Honey in the 70's.
(Born: November 26, 1949, Texas)
As the replacement for Diana Ross in the much publicized split, Jean Terrell easily slipped into the role of lead vocalist by continuing the Supremes Top 40 dominance on the pop charts in the early 70's. The continued success of the Supremes surprised music critics who were certain the Supremes would fade into history, along with Diana Ross. But the two entities not only survived, they flourished. Jean Terrell sang most of the leads, and occasionally, dueted with Mary Wilson on such classic Supreme hits as, 'Up the Ladder to the Roof,' Stoned Love,' 'Nathan Jones,' 'Touch,' and 'River-Deep, Mountain High,' the latter a duet with the Four Tops. Mistakenly reported as being related to Tammi Terrell, she is the sister of heavy weight boxer, Ernie Terrell. She left the Supremes in 1973 to pursue a solo career but she still occasionally re-records her classic hits with former members of the Supremes, most memorably, the 1990 Motorcity re-recording of 'Stoned Love' with Scherrie and Lynda.
In 1978, Jean Terrell released her solo album I HAD TO FALL IN LOVE. From the album came one single, written by Jeffrey Osbourne (I think) "Don't Stop Reaching For The Top." The single didn't chart POP, but hit the lower register on the R&B charts at #72. The unreleased title track appeared later on The Supremes Motown compilation 'Greatest Hits and Rare Classics). She didn't have another hit record until she charted with the FLOS in 1987 with "We're Back" which hit #58 on the R&B Chart. This record was released on the Superstar International label, which folded soon after.
When I Looked At Your Face" and "Fly" are from the movie "Moi, Fleur Bleue (Stop Calling me Babe)" (released in France 1977), starring Jodie Foster.
Recordings:
Singles:
- (Jefferey Osbourne) (A&M Records 2039, highest postion: #72 on the R&B charts on 5/27/78, 5 weeks.)
- The Supreme Ladies
- GREATEST HITS AND RARE CLASSICS (Solo recording while with the Supremes)
- Originally released as a promo b/w Rising Cost of Love
- The Supreme Ladies
Sister of Lynda Laurence, Sundray performs as a Supreme when she is not recording material for her solo career. She also records under the name, Cindy Scott.
Her place in the Supremes was destined as she literally followed Jean Terrell's footsteps. She originally replaced Jean in the group The Heavyweights in 1969, then again when Jean left The Flos in 1993.
Though she has been recording off and on for a number of years, her solo debut, "The Loving Country" was released early in
2000.
Cindy (or Sundray whatever) used to at one time be a member of Patti Labelle's pre Bluebelles group, the Ordettes, but left because her father wanted
her to work on her studies. She has toured with Stevie Wonder, and in fact, was originally picked as Cindy Birdsong's replacement in the
Supremes but declined due to personal commitments. (In the end, that spot was taken by Sundray's sister Lynda Laurence) In the early 90's,
Sundray toured with the FLO's replacing Jean Terrel. She left the Flo's in 1996 to concentrate on an acting career, but resumed her recording
career soon after.
To find out more about her go to this site: Sundray Tucker or http://www.drivingwheel.com
Songs:
Born in Greenville, Mississippi, March 6, 1944
There's something about Mary...as co-founder of the world famous Supremes, Mary has tried to keep the name of her famous group in the forefront of the fickle music industry that tends to forget the influence and contributions of the trio. Since Mary left The Supremes, in 1977, she has toured around the country as: Mary Wilson & The Supremes, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, The Supremes' Mary Wilson, and Mary Wilson With The Supremes. She is also a best-selling author.
She's been currently trying to change the law to protect the integrity and history of the original Supremes by having Congress put in writing that only members of the original configuration of a group can claim the use of a group name. The concern was born from the fact that bogus artists spring up every day performing songs that they claim they had made famous, who with their managers, travel the world, duping the public for profit.
Mary Wilson released her solo album MARY WILSON on Motown Records. Her single, "Red Hot" hit even lower on the R&B charts, at #95. A second single, "Pick Up The Pieces" was released in 1980 in the U.K. only. Mary's had several releases since, but only "U", on the Contract label, got any response at all, hitting #8 in the U.K. It did not chart in the U.S. where it received little or no airplay at all. Just when "One Night With You" was getting airplay in the South and charting in local markets, CEO Records pulled it , in favor of "Walk The Line", which unfortunately didn't chart either. She also recorded, "Turn Around" and the Clas Yngstrom duets "Ships In The Night" & "A Little Bit More Love"?
To find out more about Mary Wilson, go to her official website:
LINKS OF INTEREST:
Solo Recordings:
- Title song was written by Tena Clark. It was also recorded by Gladys Knight
With the Supremes:
ALBUMS
(Produced by Hal David, All Music and Lyrics by Frank Busey and John Duarte, 1979 Motown, M7-927 R1)
Red Hot
(Motown 1467, LP, October 20, 1979, 3 weeks, highest peak position: #95. 3 weeks/SOUL chart)
Singles:
- Disco Version (7:12 )
- Single Version (3:53)
Mary Wilson (Motown Records album, 1979)
Red Hot
I've Got What You Need
You Make Me Feel So Good
(I Love A) Warm Summer Night
Mary Wilson (Motown Records album, 1979)
Red Hot
I've Got What You Need
You Make Me Feel So Good
(I Love A) Warm Summer Night
Midnight Dancer
Don't Get Mad Get Even (Nightmare Records 7" & 12" single, 1987)
Ooh Child (Nightmare Records 7" & 12" single, 1989)
Walk The Line (CEO Records CD, 1992)
Walk The Line
The Stare
You Keep Me Hanging On
One Night With You
All Over Now
Ooh Child
Under Any Moon
Shelter Me
Bodyguard
I'm Changing
One Night With You (CEO Records single, 1992)
A Little Bit Of Love (with Clas Yngstrom, 199?)
Ships In The Night (with Clas Yngstrom, 199?)
U (Contract Recording Company CDsingle, US, 1995)
R&B Mix (Groove-E)
Sylk 130 Mix (King Britt & John Wicks)
Sylk 130 Instr. (King Britt & John Wicks)
Hip Hop Mix (Tony D & The Flavor King)
Midnight Mix
Dancehall Mix
U (Contract Recording Company CDsingle, UK, 1995)
Turn Around (Da Bridge Records CDsingle, 1996)
Turn Around
Turn Around (instrumental)
Unreleased Recordings:
Partial Motown album, 1980:
Love Talk
You Dance My Heart Around The Stars
Save Me
Green River
My Lovelife Is A Disaster (unreleased demo, 1986)
Atlantic Records demos, 198?:
The One I Love
Sleeping In Separate Rooms
Stronger In The Broken Part
Can We Talk About It (unreleased demo, 19??)*
Heartbreak Of Love (unreleased, with Dionne Warwick, 19??)*
Love Child (unreleased, CEO Records, 1992)
Additional Guest Appearances:
Come See About Me (with Neil Sedaka, 19??)
This Girl's Back in Town (Warner Brothers, cat# 7599-25381-1) Recorded and released in 1986 on Paul Jabara's "De La Noche, A Poporetta" LP.
Artists include Donna Summer, Mary Wilson, Diva Gray, Beverly D'Angelo, Pattie Brooks, Maggie Swank, Myno Jackson and Millie Whiteside.
Here Is My Love, Pass It Along (charity record, ???)*
Interesting facts:
Unreleased Material
PROMISES KEPT (lp w/Mary/Jean/Cindy)
All I Need (The one the Temptations recorded)
And I Thought You Loved Me
Take Your Dreams Back
It's Too Late (Carole King's version)
I'll Let Him Know
Tears Left Over
You've Got To Pay The Price (Go Jean, Go!!)
Chained
If I Were Your Woman (Jean mostly speaks the lyric)
Stepping On A Dream
I Can't Get You Out Of My Mind
Never Can Say Goodbye
The Day Will Come (Between Sunday And Monday)
Another version had the following extra songs...
Life Beats
Eleanor Rigby
Oh, My Poor Baby
Soft Days
Function at the Junction (w/ 4 Tops)
The Shoop Shoop Song - Scherrie Payne
Bend A Little Give A Little -Scherrie Payne
There's Room At The Top - Scherrie Payne
An unreleased 2nd Motown album was supposedly recorded containing:
Tuesday May 09 11:47 AM EDT, Yahoo News, Entertainment
A Supreme Diva Keeps 'Em Waiting In Atlanta
(5/9/00, 10 a.m. ET) - At Sunday night's (May 7) Music Midtown Festival, it seemed Mary Wilson & the Supremes couldn't make a right move. Wilson
and crew were the last act on the V103 stage, and they went on almost 45 minutes late, prompting several members of the once-enthusiastic crowd to
start booing. A contingent even started chanting, "Diana! Diana! Diana!," knowing of Wilson's recent clash with Diana Ross over tour
compensation (LAUNCH, 4/17).
Wilson eventually appeared, and the performance went quite well…up until the 10 p.m. deadline. All performers were told to wrap up at 10 p.m., but
Wilson, probably feeling bad for keeping the crowd waiting, went past the deadline. The only problem was that the stage PA speakers were shut down by
the festival officials due to union rules. Wilson nevertheless continued to play, singing through her own sound system for about 15 more minutes, and
then stormed off the stage, shocked that they would pull the plug on her. Fans were also notably upset about the festival pulling the plug.
Backstage, Wilson was so livid she canceled all interviews and was in a very volatile mood. Her appearance closed the festival.
-- Darren Davis, Atlanta
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