REFLECTIONS OF... 

AND

tRIVIA

SCRAPE BOOK

Please press here for page content:  

This page is for fun and information only.  My hope is to give fans the resource necessary to obtain answers to their questions.  My sources are from various magazines and news articles that has been printed, and from the music bible of the industry:  Billboard.  Additional information has been provided from other fans from the internet, which were later verified.  If by any chance the information is erroneous, please e-mail me with the corrections and the source. Also, if you have any suggestions and/or want to contribute, please let me know.

INDEX

TRIVIA

• Behind the Scenes

• Birthdates

• Charity

• VH1 100 Greatest Women in Rock n' Roll

•  

•  

RECORDINGS

• The Covers - They're Singing Our Songs, Ma

  • Diana Ross

  • The Supremes

  • Diana Ross & The Supremes

  • Motown

• Foreign Recordings

• Flubs/Mistakes

• GRAMMY AWARDS - The Nominations

• Number One Albums 

• Promos

• Recording Line-Up

• Unreleased Material

TRIVIA 

BIRTHDAYS

Florence Ballard - Detroit, Michigan, 

• June 30, 1943 - February 21,1976

(Died of cardiac arrest at Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital, Detroit)

Cindy Birdsong - Camden, New Jersey

• December 15, 1939

Scherrie Payne - Detroit, Michigan

• November 14, 1944, Detroit Michigan

Diana Ross

• March 26, 1944, Detroit Michigan

Jean Terrell 

• November 26, 1949, Texas

Mary Wilson

• March 6, 1944, Greenville, Mississippi

Diana Ross presented a $200,000 check to Gil N. Schwartzberg, president and CEO of the City of Hope, following her tour of the Cancer Center's Pediatric Dept. She met with physicians who head the research and treatment options for children suffering from cancer and Diana hoped that her donation will help further research and treatment programs there.

By Army Archerd, Daily Variety Senior Columnist, 08/25/2000

THE SUPREMES RECORDING LINE-UP

The Supremes line-up since their inception:

• Florence, Mary,  Barbara 
• Florence, Mary, Barbara, Diana
• Florence, Mary, Diana (1964 - 1968)
• Mary, Diana, Cindy (1968 - 1970)
• Mary, Cindy, Jean (1970 - 1973) (Right On; New Ways But Love Stays; Touch)
• Mary, Jean, Cindy, Lynda (1973) (Floy Joy; Written and Produced by Jimmy Webb)
• Mary, Scherrie, Susaye, Cindy  (1974) (The Supremes )
• Mary, Scherrie, Susaye (1975 - 1977) (High Energy; Mary, Scherrie & Susaye)
• Scherrie & Susaye (Partners)
• Scherrie, Jean, Cindy
• Scherrie, Jean, Lynda
• Scherrie, Lynda, Cindy
• Scherrie & Lynda
• Scherrie, Lynda, Sundray
• Scherrie, Lynda, Freddi
• Scherrie, Sundray and Vera
• Diana, Scherrie & Lynda (2000)

NUMBER ONE ALBUMS

Billboard Book of Top 40 Albums

Diana Ross and the Supremes had three #1 lps:

• The Supremes A Go-Go (#1, October 66, 2 weeks)

• Diana Ross and the Supremes Greatest Hits (#1, October 67, 5 weeks)

• TCB (#1, January 69, 1 week)

The Only Diana Ross album to reach #1 was the soundtrack to 'Lady Sings the Blues,' December 72, 2 weeks.

The only 70's Supremes album to chart on the Top 40 album chart was: Right On, #25, 6 weeks

LOOK WHAT THEY'VE DONE

IN TRIBUTE - THE COVERS

DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES   Back to the Top

  DIANA ROSS 

Back to the Top

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

• Boystown Gang (medley/Remember Me), Whoopie Goldberg & Sister Act gang, Debelah Morgan, Stars of 45 (The Supremes Medley), 

Ain't Nothing But A Maybe

• Rufus

The Boss

• The Braxtons

Didn't You Know (You'd Have to Cry Sometime)

Gladys Knight & the Pips

Endless Love

• Mariah Carey & Luther Vandross, Kenny Rogers

I Can't Give Back (The Love I Feel For You)

• Dusty Springfield

I Thought It Took A Little Time

• Gloria Estefan (medley/The 70's Moment)

I'm Coming Out

• Notorious B.I.G. (sample/Mo Money, Mo Problems), House of Glass (sample/Playing With My Mind)

It's Hard For Me to Say

• Luther Vandross

It's My Turn

• Aretha Franklin

Love Hangover

• Monica (sample/The First Night), MCSolaar (sample/Paridisque), Will Smith (sample/Freakin' It), Janet Jackson (sample/My Need)

Muscles

• Club 69, Little Kim (sample/Diamonds)

Promise Me You'll Try

• Jennifer Lopez

Reflections

• Luther Vandross

Remember Me

• Cindy Scott, Boystown Gang (w/Ain't No Mountain High Enough)

Soul Kiss

• Olivia Newton-John

Surrender

• Cindy Scott

Theme From Mahogany

• Mariah Carey, Thelma Houston (unreleased original version), Ami Stewart

Upside Down

• Tom Jones & Dusty Springfield

Work That Body

•  Rupaul

  THE SUPREMES  

Back to the Top

Bad Weather

• Young Disciples

Happy (Is a Bumpy Road)

• The Four Tops

I Don't Wanna Lose You

• Phyllis Hyman, The Spinners

I Keep It Hid

• Linda Ronstadt

I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking

• Jayne Edwards, D'llegance

Nathan Jones

• Bananarama, Paul Davis

Stoned Love

• Sweet Brandy

Touch

• The Jackson 5ive

You Are The Heart of Me

• Dionne Warwick

Up the Ladder to the Roof

• Bette Midler, The Nylons

  IN HONOR: THEIR FAVORITE COLLABORATORS

Back to the Top

ASHFORD AND SIMPSON

Ain't No Mountain High Enough 

HOLLAND-DOZIER-HOLLAND 

Baby Love, Where Did Our Love Go 

MICHAEL MASSER

Theme From Mahogany,

SMOKEY ROBINSON

The Composer, Misery Makes Its Home in My Heart, The Loving Country, Get Ready, You've Really Got a Hold on Me, I'll Try Something New, My Girl, My Guy, Take Me Where You Go, Ooo Wee Baby, Then, A Breathtaking Guy, Who's Lovin' You, You Bring Back Memories, Your Heart Belongs To Me,  He's My Sunny Boy, Loving You is Better Than Ever, Till Johnny Comes, Automatically Sunshine

GRAMMY AWARDS

Back to the Top

Diana Ross has been nominated many times for the Grammy Awards.  Amazingly, she has never won.  In retrospect, most of the songs she performed has gone on to become timeless classics, outpacing in popularity, with few exceptions,  the other songs nominated in her category.

The Supremes "Stop In The Name Of Love" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.  The Grammy Hall of Fame, established in 1973 to honor albums and singles of
"enduring quality and relevance or historical significance." 

1964   BEST RHYTHM & BLUES RECORDING      Back to the Top

Nominated for Baby Love (The Supremes)

• Sam Cooke - Good Times

• The Impressions - Keep On Pushin'

• Joe Tex - Hold What You've Got

• Dionne Warwick - Walk On By

• Nancy Wilson - How Glad I Am

1965   BEST CONTEMPOARY (R & R) GROUP PEFORMANCE, VOCAL OR INSTRUMENTAL       Back to the Top

Nominated for Stop! In The Name of Love (The Supremes)

• The Beatles - Help!

• Herman Hermits - Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter

• Sam the Sham & Pharaohs - Wooly Bully

• Statler Brothers - Flowers on the Wall

1970 BEST CONTEMPORARY VOCAL PERFORMANCE - FEMALE      Back to the Top

Nominated for Ain't No Mountain High Enough 

• Bobbie Gentry - Fancy

• Anne Murray - Snowbird

• Linda Rondstadt - Long, Long Time

• Dionne Warwick - I'll Never Fall In Love Again

1971  BEST RHYTHM & BLUES VOCAL PERFORMANCE - FEMALE    Back to the Top

Nominated for I Love You (Call Me)

• Aretha Franklin - Bridge Over Troubled Water

• Janis Joplin - Pearl

• Jean Knight - Mr. Big Stuff

• Freda Payne - Contact

1973  BEST POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE - FEMALE     Back to the Top

Nominated for Touch Me In The Morning

• Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song

• Bette Midler - Boogie Woogie, Bugle Boy

• Anne Murray - Danny's Song

• Carly Simon - You're So Vain

1976  BEST RHYTHM & BLUES VOCAL PERFORMANCE - FEMALE        Back to the Top

Nominated  for Love Hangover

• Natalie Cole - Sophisticated Lady (She's A Different Lady)

• Aretha Franklin - Something He Can Feel

• Dorothy Moore - Misty Blue

• Melba Moore - Lean On Me

1977  BEST RHYTHM & BLUES VOCAL PERFORMANCE - FEMALE       Back to the Top

Nominated  for Your Love Is So Good For Me

• Natalie Cole - I've Got Love On My Mind

• Aretha Franklin - Break It To Me Gently

• Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way

• Dorothy Moore - I Believe You

1978   BEST RHYTHM & BLUES VOCAL PERFORMANCE BY DUO, GROUP OR CHORAL      Back to the Top

Nominated for Ease On Down The Road (w/Michael Jackson)

• A Taste of Honey - Boogie, Oogie, Oogie

• Commodores - Natural High

• Earth Wind, and Fire - All n' All

• O'Jays - Use To Be My Girl

1980   BEST RHYTHM & BLUES VOCAL PERFORMANCE - FEMALE      Back to the Top

Nominated for Upside Down

• Roberta Flack - Featuring Donny Hathaway

• Aretha Franklin - Can't Turn You Lose

• Stephanie Mills - Never Knew Love Like This Before

• Minnie Ripperton - Love Lives Forever

1981  BEST POP PEFORMANCE BY A  DUO, GROUP OR CHORUS           Back to the Top

Nominated for Endless Love (w/Lionel Ritchie)

• Hall & Oates - Private Eyes

• Manhatten Transfer - The Boy From New York City

• Pointer Sisters - Slow Hand

• Steely Dan - Gaucho

 1981 RECORD OF THE YEAR           Back to the Top

Nominated for  Endless Love (w/Lionel Ritchie)

• Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes

• Christopher Cross - Arthur's Theme (The Best You Can Do)

• John Lennon & Yoko Ono - (Just Like) Starting Over

• Bill Withers & Grover Washington - Just The Two of Us

1982   BEST RHYTHM & BLUES PERFORMANCE - FEMALE            Back to the Top

Nominated for Muscles

• Aretha Franklin - Jump To It

• Jennifer Holliday - I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going

• Patrice Rushin - Forget Me Nots

• Donna Summer - Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)

• Denice Williams - It's Gonna Take A Miracle

Note:  Diana did share three Grammies in 1985 for We Are the World.

VH1's 100 

Greatest Women of Rock & Roll

VH1's "100 Greatest Dance Songs

 1. "I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor (1975)
 2. "Don't Leave Me This Way" - Thelma Houston (1977)
3. "We Are Family" - Sister Sledge (1979)
4. "Vogue" - Madonna (1990)
5. "The Hustle" - Van McCoy (1975)
6. "Last Dance" - Donna Summer (1978)
7. "Y.M.C.A." - Village People (1979)
8. "The Twist " - Chubby Checker (1960)
9. "Gonna Make You Sweat" - C&C MusicFactory (1991)
10. "Stayin' Alive" - Bee Gees (1978)
11. "Respect" - Aretha Franklin (1967)
                         12. "Get Down Tonight" - KC & the Sunshine
                         Band (1975)
                         13. "Love's Theme" - Love Unlimited Orchestra
                         (1974)
                         14. "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" -
                         Sylvester (1979)
                         15. "It Takes Two" - Rob Base & DJ E Z Rock
                         (1988)
                         16. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" - Michael
                         Jackson (1979)
                         17. "Disco Inferno - the Trammps (1978)
                         18. "Dancing In The Street" - Martha & the
                         Vandellas (1964)
                         19. "Shame" - Evelyn "Champagne" King
                         (1978)
                         20. "Got To Be Real" - Cheryl Lynn (1979)
                         21. "That's The Way (I Like It)" - KC & the
                         Sunshine Band (1975)
                         22. "Love Hangover" - Diana Ross (1976)
                         23. "Lady Marmalade" - Labelle (1975)
                         24. "Let The Music Play" - Shannon (1984)
                         25. "Mashed Potato Time" - Dee Dee Sharp
                         (1962)
                         26. "Le Freak" - Chic (1978)
                         27. "Louie Louie" - the Kingsmen (1963)
                         28. "Billie Jean" - Michael Jackson (1983)
                         29. "Finally" - Cece Peniston (1992)
                         30. "Turn The Beat Around" - Vicki Sue
                         Robinson (1976)
                         31. "Best Of My Love" - the Emotions (1977)
                         32. "You Should Be Dancing" - Bee Gees
                         (1976)
                         33. "Upside Down" - Diana Ross (1980)
                         34. "Forget Me Nots" - Patrice Rushen (1982)
                         35. "It's Raining Men" - the Weather Girls
                         (1983)
                         36. "Rhythm Is A Dancer" - Snap! (1993)
                         37. "Push It" - Salt-N-Pepa (1988)
                         38. "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" - McFadden &
                         Whitehead (1979)
                         39. "Love Train" - the O'Jays (1973)
                         40. "Into The Groove" - Madonna (1985)
                         41. "Rock The Boat" - Hues Corporation
                         (1974)
                         42. "Love Is The Message" - MFSB (1974)
                         43. "Celebration" - Kool & The Gang (1981)
                         44. "Good Times" - Chic (1979)
                         45. "More, More, More (Part 1)" - Andrea
                         True Connection (1976)
                         46. "Boogie Oogie Oogie" - A Taste Of Honey
                         (1978)
                         47. "Dance To The Music" - Sly & the Family
                         Stone (1968)
                         48. "Cool Jerk" - the Capitols (1966)
                         49. "Shout" - the Isley Brothers (1959)
                         50. "Back To Life (However Do You Want
                         Me)" - Soul 2 Soul (1989)
                         51. "Never Can Say Goodbye" - Gloria Gaynor
                         (1975)
                         52. "Brick House" - the Commodores (1977)
                         53. "Ring My Bell" - Anita Ward (1979)
                         54. "Doctor Love" - First Choice (1977)
                         55. "The Loco Motion" - Little Eva (1962)
                         56. "Rock Your Baby" - George McCrae
                         (1974)
                         57. "Cherchez La Femme" - Dr. Buzzard's
                         Original "Savannah" Band (1977)
                         58. "All Night Long (All Night)" - Lionel Richie
                         (1983)
                         59. "La Bamba" - Ritchie Valens (1959)
                         60. "Believe" - Cher (1999)
                         61. "Jump (For My Love)" - Pointer Sisters
                         (1984)
                         62. "Shake Your Groove Thing" - Peaches &
                         Herb (1979)
                         63. "Love To Love You Baby" - Donna
                         Summer (1976)
                         64. "Funkytown" - Lipps Inc. (1980)
                         65. "Land Of 1,000 Dances" - Wilson Pickett
                         (1966)
                         66. "1999" - Prince (1983)
                         67. "Flashdance" - Irene Cara (1983)
                         68. "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" - the S.O.S.
                         Band (1980)
                         69. "Shotgun" - Jr. Walker & The All Stars
                         (1965)
                         70. "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A Sex
                         Machine)" - James Brown (1970)
                         71. "Let's Dance" - David Bowie (1983)
                         72. "Fly Robin Fly" - Silver Convention (1975)
                         73. "Show Me Love" - Robin S (1993)
                         74. "My Prerogative" - Bobby Brown (1989)
                         75. "I Got You (I Feel Good)" - James Brown
                         (1965)
                         76. "I Feel Love" - Donna Summer (1977)
                         77. "Ain't Nobody" - Rufus featuring Chaka
                         Khan (1983)
                         78. "And The Beat Goes On" - the Whispers
                         (1980)
                         79. "Heart Of Glass" - Blondie (1979)
                         80. "You're The First, The Last, My Everything"
                         - Barry White (1975)
                         81. "Straight Up" - Paula Abdul (1989)
                         82. "Play That Funky Music" - Wild Cherry
                         (1976)
                         83. "Got To Give It Up" - Marvin Gaye (1977)
                         84. "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" - Los Del
                         Rio (1996)
                         85. "Keep On Truckin'" - Eddie Kendricks
                         (1973)
                         86. "I Want To Dance With Somebody" -
                         Whitney Houston (1987)
                         87. "TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)" -
                         MFSB Featuring the Three Degrees (1974)
                         88. "U Can't Touch This" - M.C. Hammer
                         (1990)
                         89. "MacArthur Park" - Donna Summer (1978)
                         90. "Heartbeat" - Tanya Gardner (1981)
                         91. "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)" -
                         Dead Or Alive (1985)
                         92. "Disco Lady" - Johnnie Taylor (1976)
                         93. "Thank You (Fallettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)"
                         - Sly & the Family Stone (1970)
                         94. "Flashlight" - Parliament (1978)
                         95. "ABC" - Jackson 5 (1970)
                         96. "What'd I Say" - Ray Charles (1959)
                         97. "Dancing Queen" - ABBA (1977)
                         98. "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" - Rod Stewart
                         (1979)
                         99. "Rock Lobster" - the B-52's (1980)
                         100. "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" - Will Smith (1998)

UNRELEASED RECORDINGS

Supreme Wealth in Motown Vaults

From: "David Barrett" (david.barrett@zen.co.uk)

"Most serious admirers of Motown Records are aware that all artists who have recorded with the company have unreleased material in its vaults. What many people are not aware of, however, is the overwhelming amount of that material. The music which has reached the public is just a tiny fraction of what has been recorded. Especially in the early years, when Motown concentrated on singles, there was a steady stream of traffic into the studios and only a trickle of releases from those sessions into the record stores.

What little we know of this material has come mostly from that wonderful slip of publicity, the premature announcement. We have Motown itself, a company never given to small talk or inside information, to thank for the information we do have.

Diana Ross and The Supremes recorded hundreds of songs which were never released. In fact, they recorded several whole albums which were announced but never pressed. After their debut set in 1962, 'Meet The Supremes' (not the same album re-released later under that title with one song , 'The Boy That Got Away' omitted, and several others added), The Supremes did a collection titled 'Supremes Sing Ballads And Blues' (Motown 610) which was never marketed. 13 Supremes albums were scheduled for release between 1964-1966. 4 were announced but never packaged. They were 'Supremes Live! Live! Live!' (626) 'There's A Place For Us', a collection of Broadway show tunes (628) 'A Tribute To The Girls', songs made famous by girl groups (633) and 'Pure Gold' (648). Another album, 'Supremes And The Motown Sound' was listed in a program booklet, but Motown has no memory of it.

After Diana Ross left The Supremes, Jean Terrell recorded around 60 songs initially, the best of which appeared on 'Right On'. Another projected package 'Kept Promises' was never marketed. Only a small amount of the music ever recorded with Jean was ever released, but the fabled LP produced by Stevie Wonder and produced by Frank Wilson never existed. It was started - a few of the songs being 'Bad Weather', 'Soft Haze' and 'Superstition'. 'Love Train' was released in Great Britain. Several live albums were recorded, at least 8 of them, but only one released, and only in Japan. A 'Best Of The Supremes' package was scheduled for 1974, along with a 'Best Of Diana Ross', but it was dropped, although similar albums have been released in other parts of the globe.

Mary, Scherrie and Cindy recorded 47 songs for their first album. Among the unreleased titles were 'Hey Boogie Man', 'I Can't Stop Dancing', 'Plant The Seed Of Love', 'Look What You've Done To Me', 'The Shoop-Shoop Song', 'Another Saturday Night', 'Bend A Little', and 'Got My Dancing Shoes On (Gonna Boogie Tonight.)

An unreleased cut from 'High Energy' is 'More Room At The Top', a song about a mother's advice about breaking out of the ghetto. It didn't fit the album's concept.

As a soloist, Diana Ross got right on the unreleased bandwagon by shelving her first album and single, 'Time And Love', produced by Bones Howe. Later, she recorded an album produced by Smokey Robinson, 'Whatever Makes You Happy', an album with Marvin Gaye produced by Ashford and Simpson, (one cut on it reached the 'Diana And Marvin' LP, originally titled 'Art And Honey'), started an album with The Temptations, recorded an LP produced by Stevie Wonder (which he slaved over and was deeply unhappy about the public never hearing), did something called 'The Baby Album' (parts of which surfaced on 'Touch Me In The Morning' and 'Last Time I Saw Him', recorded several live albums and announced singles ranging from 'Funky Rolls Royce', to 'To The Baby For The Baby', which went unheard.

Right now, Diana is talking about a disco album, a collection produced by Richard Perry, a children's album, and a Christmas package. Don't be surprised if you never hear these tunes, though she's talked about them - 'The Most Important Person', 'You Only Build Me Up To Tear Me Down', 'Fire Won't Burn', 'We Can Never Light That Flame Again', 'All Night Lover', and 'Too Shy To Say'. On the other hand, don't be surprised to see material produced by the likes of Willie Hutch, Holland and Holland, and others, including Ross herself. She has talked about an album written and produced by herself, and some of it has been completed. She's even described the cover - a painting of herself smoking a cigarette whose smoke spells out her name.

Will we ever hear the stuff? Yes, if Motown ever falls on really hard times and is bought out by another firm. Only then does this type of material ever surface. So be patient and give it about 25 years. Maybe your patience will be rewarded."

Diana Ross and the Supremes

Albums

 

• The Disney Album

• Supremes Sing Ballads and Blues

• Live Live Live

• There's A Place For Us

• Tribute To The Girls

• Pure Gold

• Promises Kept

• Live in Japan (1972)

SINGLES

 

• MacArthur's Park

The 70's SUPREMES

Singles

 

• Bend A Little, Give A Little

• Body and Soul

• Can't You Hear Me Knocking Again

• Chained

• Colour My World Blue

Two versions exist that were never released

• Eleanor Rigby

• Function At The Junction 

The classic Shorty Long hit was recorded with the Four Tops, this was left off 'The Return of The Magnificent 7' album

• Get You Out Of My Mind

• Give Out

Three different versions were recorded.

• I Thought You Loved Me

• If I Were Your Woman

Pass over by Motown in favor of Gladys Knight & the Pips version.

• It's Too Late

• Let Him Know (That I Love Him)

• Loneliness Is A Lonely Feeling

• Love Train

Originally released on  GREATEST HITS AND RARE CLASSICS, there is another version that exists that is very different. The unreleased version has all 3 ladies sharing leads.

 

• Make It With You 

• My Hearbeat

• My Poor Baby

• Never Can Say Good-Bye

• People Gotta Be Free

• Remote Control

• Sha-La Bandit

Released on  GREATEST HITS AND RARE CLASSICS; another version exists where all three ladies sharing leads.

 

• Shoop, Shoop Song, The [It's In His Kiss]

• Someday Will Come Between Sunday and Monday

• Take Your Dream Back

• Tears Left Over

• That's How Much You Made Me Love You...

• This Is Your Life

Recorded by Thelma Houston, on her 'Sunshower'  album (ABC Records, 1969 & Motown reissue 1981).   The Supremes recorded it for their Jimmy Webb album. The Fifth Dimension's also recorded it on their "Portrait" album with Florence LaRue on lead.

• Traveling Light

• You Left Me and Stepped On My Dreams

• You Only Miss Me When You See Me

 

 

FLORENCE BALLARD 

• You Don't Have To

  Unreleased album recorded for ABC Records in 1968.  

  As the founding member of The Supremes, Florence Ballard place in musical history has never been fully acknowledged.   Assigned by Berry Gordy to the background, few people got to hear her magnificent voice.  After she was fired from the group in 1967, she released two solo singles for ABC Records in early 1968. The singles went nowhere, and ABC chose not to release the already recorded debut album, "You Don't Have To".

DIANA ROSS

• BIG BAD LOVE

• STONEY END

After quitting the Supremes, her first solo project was reported to be a collaboration with Bones Howe.   As part of the project, Diana recorded this Laura Nyro song before Barbara Streisand did, but Motown shelved the recordings, and instead, assigned Ashford & Simpson to design, what was destined, to become Diana's classic album.

• TIME AND LOVE

Another Laura Nyro song that Diana did during her collaboration with Bones Howe, it was originally going to be her first solo single.  But after it was shelved, Motown took the track and overdubbed the vocal with Jean Terrell and used on the Supremes' post-Diana "Touch" album.

• WE'RE ALWAYS SAYING GOOD-BYE

JEAN TERRELL

After Diana Ross left The Supremes, Jean Terrell recorded around 60 songs initially, the best of which appeared on 'Right On'.  Another projected package 'Kept Promises' was never marketed. Only a small amount of the music ever recorded with Jean was ever released, but the fabled LP produced by Stevie Wonder and produced by Frank Wilson never existed. It was started - a few of the songs being 'Bad Weather', 'Soft Haze' and 'Superstition'.  'Love Train' was released in Great Britain.   The "Bad Weather" session (like many other recordings) came and went very fast.  Jean did the lead vocal about three times before Stevie was completely happy (not an unusual recording practice)

Several live albums were recorded, at least 8 of them, but only one released, and only in Japan. A 'Best Of The Supremes' package was scheduled for 1974, along with a 'Best Of Diana Ross', but it was dropped, although similar albums have been released in other parts of the globe. 

MARY WILSON

• You Danced My Heart Around the Stars

The PROMOS

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

In 1965 the Supremes made a recording for the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)? It was called 'Things Are Changing'. It was a promotional recording for the EEOC. There was also another recording made by George Alexander inc., that was made the same year called 'The Only Time I'm Happy'/ 'Supremes Interview'. Neither was from Motown records, the label they were under during that time.

FLUBS/MISTAKES

Diana Ross made such a huge impression on the public, that many recordings by the '70 Supremes have been mistakenly attributed as a Diana Ross-led song.  Jean Terrell, who replaced Ms. Ross, a talented and aggressive singer, would sometimes sing in the same range as the singer she replaced.  Motown, who's notorious about substituting performers during times of absentees or illness (Tammi Terrell/Valerie Simpson; Florence Ballard/Cindy Ballard)  more than likely made a conscious decision to have Diana's departure from the group as smooth as possible.  The following are just a few of the mistakes noticed on the jackets of cd/lp covers/booklets:

MOTOWN LEGENDS:  Stoned Love/Nathan Jones (37463 8523-2)

• The front cover is graced by a picture of the original Supremes (Mary, Florence & Diana) even though the song titles clearly indicates the recordings of the "new" Supremes.

Greatest Hits of The Greatest Stars - Motown Collection (Motown Special Products - MOTD 2857) 

• On this special collection of Motown hits,  'Stoned Love'  is by Diana Ross & The Supremes.   'River Deep, Mountain High' is attributed to Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Four Tops.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Diana Ross and various other members of the Supremes could be heard, on more than one occasion, in the background of records as varied as Stevie Wonder and Kim Weston.  In the early days, Motown employed them to sing behind some of their biggest stars, which gave the Supremes the experience and maturity that eventually separated them from the other packaged "girl groups" of the 60's.  The following is a small sample of their work:

Small Sad Sam - Bob Kayli with Diana on backgrounds 1961 
Play it cool, stay in school - Brenda Holloway 196??
It should have been me - Kim Weston 196??
Feel alright tonight - Kim Weston 196??
You've lost the sweetest boy - Mary Wells 1963
Mother you, smother you - Christine Shumacher 1963
Not now (I'll tell you later) - Temptations 1966
It hurt me too - Marvin Gaye 1962
You're a wonderful one - Marvin Gaye 1964
Now that you've won me - Marvin Gaye 1965
She's got to be real - Marvin Gaye 1965
Can I get a witness - Marvin Gaye 1963

FOREIGN RECORDINGS

Johnny und Joe, 1964, German
Wo Ist Unsere Liebe, 1964, German
Thank You Darling, 1965, German
Moonlight and Kisses, 1965, German
L'amore Verra, 1966, Italian
Chi Mi Aiutera, 1966, Italian

 

Motown	Diana Ross/Supremes	Diana Ross	The Supremes

Back To The Top

 E-MAIL ME:

Supremefan@yahoo.com