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)
"You Don't Have To"
(UNRELEASED ALBUM RECORDED FOR ABC RECORDS IN 1968)
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 programme whose guests included the likes of Stevie Wonder and Brenda Russell. I know little more than this. In 1984, Susaye toured England with Stevie Wonder, met her husband-to-be, and stayed in England.
Excluding Motorcity Records, Susaye's single was "Please Send Him Back/That's The Way My Love", on Tru-Glo-Town, in 1973(?).
She sang leads on some Ralettes' singles and 'Until It's Time For You To Go' (w/ New Birth)1 New Birth single (but wasn't an official New Birth Member)
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.
She also recorded under the name of Norma Lewis.
Recordings:
As Norma Lewis:
We're Gonna Make It Together (b-side of one of the promo 12" "Life Is The Reason" singles.
Credited as
"Norma" (no Lewis).
Your Sweet Love (w/Scherrie Payne)
I Found Another Love (w/Scherrie Payne)
Lynda cousin is Tammi Terrell. Joined the Supremes in 1972. Is 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 a CD compilation. It was followed by "Baby Love, Sweet Sweet Love (sound familiar?) 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 duetted 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)
Under Norma Lewis' name, Lynda had "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. 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.
As a Supreme, she sang lead on:
Hit and Miss," "Living with a Married Man," "Freedom," "Love Child," "Forever," "How Do You Keep the Music Playing,"
Recordings:
We'll Always Be Together
Life Is The Reason
The Time Has Come
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, however, 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"
Incredible
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.
Testify
Follow up to 'Incredible,' also on Superstar International Records hit #67 in May, 1987.
Scherrie had more duets with Phillip Ingram, on "On & On", "The Right Stuff" and "Money Talks".
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].
"One Night Only" (12" EP, Megatone Records, 1984) [Cindy Birdsong & Edna Wright (ex Honey Cone) 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.
To find out more about Scherrie Payne, click here: Scherrie Payne
"Incredible" (Superstar
International 12) at #57 on January 31, 1987 and again with "Testify" on May
16, 1987 (Superstar International 55). "Incredible"was a duet with Phillip
Ingram.
Your Sweet Love (w/Susaye Greene)
I Found Another Love (w/Susaye Greene)
Hearts Can Be That Way (live)
Horse and Rider
I Can't Leave Your Love Alone (live)
Here, Now
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Freddi Poole was a member of The Delicates in the 60's and The Wild Honey in the 70's.
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.
Don't Stop Reaching for The Top (Jefferey Osbourne) (A&M Records 2039, highest postion: #72 on the R&B charts on 5/27/78, 5 weeks.)
That's The Way Our Love Grows
How Can You Live Without Love
Change Up (also recorded by Sylvester, 1980 album "Sell My Soul")
Rising Cost of Love (also recorded by Millie Jackson)
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.
To find out more about her go to this site: Sundray Tucker
Songs:
The Boss
Don't Let My Teardrops Bother You
Remember Me
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:
Recordings:
With the Supremes:
Ballad of Davy Crockett
"Mary Wilson" LP
An unreleased 2nd Motown album was supposedly recorded containing:
"Red Hot," (Motown 1467, October 20, 1979, 3 weeks, highest peak position: #95. 3 weeks/SOUL chart)
"Walk the Line" CD
Title song was written by Tena Clark. It was also recorded by Gladys Knight
Singles:
One Night With You (CEO Records)
Pick Up The Pieces (U.K. release only).
"U" (Contract Records, a division of Ruffhouse/Columbia, #8 England)
"Turn Around." (released in Holland only)
You Danced My Heart Around The Stars
Green River
You're The Light That Guides My Way
Interesting facts:
Sundray and Lynda sang on 'Disco Lucy," as members of the Wilton Place Street Band, which appears on the double-set CD "D.J. DISCO MIX VOLUME 2". (1998) Each disc has one continuous DJ mixed medley. The track listing for the Tucker Sisters' included this song.
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