Supremes were one of the most successful female vocal groups in rock music history. During the 1960’s, the Supremes became one of the first African American groups to gain popularity with both Black and white audiences.
The original trio consisted of Diana Ross (Diane Ernestine Earle Ross, 1944-…); Florence Ballard (Florence Glenda Ballard, 1943-1976); and Mary Wilson (1944-2021). Ross and Ballard were born in Detroit , Michigan. Wilson was born in Greenville, Mississippi. All three women grew up in Detroit.
The group began in 1959 as a quartet called the Primettes. The original fourth member of the Primettes was Betty McGlown (later Betty McGlown-Travis, 1943-…). McGlown left the group and was replaced in 1960 by Barbara Martin (1940-2020). The Primettes changed their name to the Supremes in 1961 when they signed a record contract with the Tamla label owned by Berry Gordy, Jr. Later that year, the Supremes became a trio consisting of Ross, Wilson, and Ballard. They moved to Gordy’s Motown label, where the group’s first release was “Your Heart Belongs to Me” (1962).
The Supremes’ many hit songs included “Where Did Our Love Go?,” “Baby Love,” and “Come See About Me” (all 1964); “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “Back in My Arms Again,” and “I Hear a Symphony” (all 1965); “My World Is Empty Without You,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” (all 1966); and “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone” and “The Happening” (both 1967). In 1967, the group changed its name to Diana Ross and the Supremes. That year, Ballard was replaced by Cindy Birdsong (Cynthia Ann Birdsong, later Cynthia Birdsong-Hewlett, 1939-…). The renamed group’s hits included “Reflections” (1967), “Love Child” (1968), “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” (1968, with the Temptations), and “Someday We’ll Be Together” (1969).
In 1970, Ross left the group and began a successful solo career. She was replaced by Jean Terrell (Velma Jean Terrell, 1944-…). The group recorded and performed into the 1970’s led by Mary Wilson with various members. Wilson disbanded the group in 1977. The Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. In 2000, Ross appeared with the Supremes on the group’s “Return to Love” tour. However, Ross was the only original member of the trio to appear.
The Tony Award -winning musical Dreamgirls (1981) was based on the story of the Supremes. A motion-picture adaptation was released in 2006. Mary Wilson wrote the book Supreme Glamour (2019), highlighting stage costumes the Supremes wore.
See also Gordy, Berry, Jr. ; Motown Records ; Rock music (Independent producers) ; Ross, Diana ; Temptations .
