When The Supremes are Super Supremes, Diana Ross knew how to make her own place
Driven by Berry Gordy, and with all-consuming ambition, Diana Ross had everything to become the soul star she dreamed of being. But she had to make her own way, starting in the 50s with The Supremes… I can’t remember where I get this piece from, but it contains 2 LPs, one is a studio recording, the other one is a live version. The Supremes were not only the most commercially successful female group of the Sixties, among the top five pop/rock/soul acts of the decade, it was also an introducing to the great path of Diana Ross !
Few words about the band
In Detroit, at the end of the 1950s, four teenage girls created The Primettes. Florence Ballard, Diana Ross, Betty McGlown and Mary Wilson want to become singing stars. Shortly after, Betty McGlown left the ship and was replaced by Barbara Martin. Thanks to a 45 rpm, released in 1960 on a small local label, the four artists were spotted by Motown producer Berry Gordy. He renamed the group The Supremes, which released I Want a Guy in 1961. Barbara Martin in turn decided to leave the ensemble, The Supremes become a trio.
1963, by choosing Diana Ross as the group’s soloist, Berry Gordy brought glory to the Supremes. Their first hit was When The Lovelight Starts Shining Trough His Eyes. But it was not until 1964 that the hit Where Did Our Love Go? makes them stars! From the eponymous album, it allowed them to win their first Grammy Award in the Rhythm’n’blues category. They will perform hits like Baby Love”, Stop! In The Name Of Love, or You Can’t Hurry Love…
The band became Diana Ross & The Supremes in 1967. Berry Gordy wishes to highlight Diana Ross more and more. A situation that displeases Florence Ballard who is excluded from the group, and is replaced by Cindy Birdsong. Shortly after, in 1969, Diana Ross announced her desire to leave the group. This was accomplished in 1970, when she began a solo career. Jean Terrell was chosen to replace soloist Diana Ross. The group still had a few hits, notably River Deep Mountain High and Stoned Love, before disbanding around 1977.