Symphony Supreme dies at 15 years old

This is a picture of Symphony & me at my sister's (Peggy Ann & Bill Reid) house in Bowie, MD a year ago this past Easter (2013). She loved to pose for pictures.

Symphony had just turned 15 years old on November 28, 2014. Her registered name was 'Symphony Supreme'; named after The Supremes' "I Hear A Symphony". She hurt her right knee a week ago this past Sunday, 12/7/14 &, for some reason, stopped eating that Tuesday. For exactly one week she only drank water & wouldn't touch food of any kind. Symphony took her last breath lying at the side of my bed at 1:45 am this morning. I feel so empty but have received an incredible amount of Facebook postings that has overwhelmed me. Thank you, each & everyone of you, that have taken the time to do that for me & my feelings.

As I mentioned on FB this morning, Mary Wilson had a picture of Symphony & me posted on her website for several years & I felt honored. Mary always asks about Symphony when she writes me, too.

Once again, thank you, one & all, for your kindnesses. I'll make it through this loss. 

#1 Christmas Hits by The Supremes

50 years ago this week The Supremes were in the Top 10 getting ready to take over the #1 spot from Bobby Vinton's "Mr. Lonely" with their 3rd #1 in a row hit "Come See About Me". Six months earlier they were known as the no-hit Supremes. "Come See About Me" was #1 for Christmas 1964. Five incredible years later they would once again hold the #1 song for Christmas 1969 with "Someday We'll Be Together"; this after having charted with 8 more #1's packed in that 5 year time span before "Someday We'll Be Together" to make a record breaking 12 #1 Hits for The Supremes. The Supremes broke so many records, barriers, venues, fashion statements, & the list goes on for firsts under their belts. 

The three little black girls from the ghetto of Detroit lived a 'dreams do come true' story with, unfortunately, all taking a different path. Kudos to Mary Wilson for all she did to keep us satisfied with The Supremes after Diana Ross. It was a struggle that none of us could imagine but she did it.

"Someday We'll Be Together", 1969, Diana Ross & The Supremes

45 years ago this month, The Supremes (Diana Ross & The Supremes) were on the chart with "Someday We'll Be Together"& it would be the last #1 record of the year, the last #1 for The Supremes (& Diana Ross & The Supremes), the last #1 of the decades of the sixties, & the last with Diana Ross in the group!

Sadly, Mary Wilson & Cindy Birdsong didn't even sing on the song. The backup voices were that of Maxine & Julia Waters. The same was true for The Supremes previous #1 "Love Child"!

Some day they'll be together did happen on the Motown 25th Anniversary Special but it wasn't the get together fans of  The Supremes had hoped for. As Diana Ross took stage at the end of the program when The Supremes were to perform some of their hits Ross kept moving forward & Mary Wilson (who strutted out so confidently dressed to the hilt in red) & Cindy Birdsong would advance with Ross. Diana didn't like this & told Mary: "I got this!" Within seconds Smokey & a few others came to the rescue. Diana pushed Mary's microphone but it was edited for viewing by TV.  Mary politely said she was sure it was an accident but everybody that saw it knows what they saw. Mary--always the diplomat. Kudos to Cindy for following Mary's suggestion.

"You're My Driving Wheel", "I'm Going To Let My Heart Do The Walking", The Supremes, 1976

Gary James Bridge shared Supremes's photo.

5 hrs ·

This song is dear to my heart as it was The Supremes (from l to r Mary Wilson, Jean Terrell, Cindy Birdsong) last chart entry & "You're My Driving Wheel" was a big Disco era hit for them! I was so happy that it did well on at least one chart. "I'm Going To Let My Heart Do The Walking" was another big Disco Hit for them at the same time. Mary disbanded the group in 1977--7 years after Diana left the group.

Supremes

In 1976, The Supremes’ “You’re My Driving Wheel” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, the trio’s last-ever chart entry.

"I Hear A Symphony" #1 49 years ago today, 11/27/1965!,"You Keep Me Hangin' On" #1 48 years ago today, etc. etc.

The Supremes' "I Hear A Symphony" hit #1 49 years ago on November 19, 1965. It would be their 6th #1 hit & entered the Top 100 at The Supremes' highest new entry yet for a Supremes' single; #39! It rapidly climbed the charts from 39, 12, 5, to #1. It held #1 for 2 weeks.

Exactly one year later The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On" would be their 8th #1 hit. ("You Can't Hurry Love") was their 7th #1. "You Keep Me Hangin' On" soared up the charts from 68, 27, 7, to #1! It, too, held #1 for 2 weeks.

Exactly two years later The Supremes' "Love Child" would take over the #1 position for their 11th #1 hit on November 30, 1968.

The month of November was good to The Supremes! They still had one more number one hit before the end of the decade of the sixties: "Someday We'll Be Together" which was the last number one song of the 1960s & by the most successful American group of the decade--of the entire rock & rock era according to Billboard.

Within one month, January 14, 1970, Diana Ross would leave, Jean Terrell would take over lead, Cindy Birdsong (who replaced dear Flo Ballard in 1967 would stay on) & dearest Mary would take charge--with the best latitude that she was permitted to have.

The decade of the 70's might have been as wild for The Supremes as the 60s were--sans the #1 hits!   

AND, 15 years ago tomorrow, November 28, 1999, my incredibly gorgeous American Eskimo Spitz was born. Upon seeing her I immediately named her: Symphony Supreme.  Dearest Mary kept a picture of Symphony & me on her website for years & still ask about Symphony to this day. She's well & doing wonderful for her age--bugging me right now for some left over Thanksgiving Day turkey, ha ha. Until next time, as Mary would say:  Touch.

Mary Wilson & The Supremes--appropriate, no?, The Supremes 'Right On' album, Supremes sans Ross

Gary James Bridge shared Classic Motown's photo.

November 9 at 6:32pm ·

My Supremes fix for you today. That's Jean Terrell (L) (the famed boxer, Ernie Terrell's sister), Cindy Birdsong (who, unfortunately had to replace dear Florence Ballard in 1967 because of Berry Gordy, Sr.), & my dear friend, Mary Wilson, who kept The Supremes going until 1977--7 years after Diana left on 1/14/1970. Ed Sullivan sent a telegram to The Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas that night that read: ""Tonight one of the greatest attractions of the sixties becomes two of the greatest attractions of the seventies."
This is the cover picture for their 'Right On' album.

Classic Motown

In 1969, Billboard reported that Diana Ross was leaving the Supremes for a solo career in January 1970, and that Jean Terrell will become part of the "new" Supremes.

The Supremes at the London Palladium, 1968, Royal Variety Performance, Queen Elizebeth

Gary James Bridge shared Supremes's photo.

15 hrs ·

My Supremes' fix for all of you today. That is Cindy Birdsong on the left, Diana Ross (c) & my friend, Mary Wilson (r). I'll try to find a picture when The Supremes met the Royal Family that night, dressed in 35 pound sequined gowns, & Princess Anne asked Mary Wilson if they were wearing wigs? The cameras caught Mary with this look as if she was saying: "No, you dumb Brit, Blacks have hair like this", ha ha.

Supremes

In 1968, Diana Ross & the Supremes played at the London Palladium for the Royal Variety Performance, Prince Charles and the Queen were among those in the audience.

'BABY LOVE', The Supremes, 1964, The Supremes second #1 hit

Gary James Bridge shared Supremes's photo.

November 1 at 10:09pm ·

I'm back from my cruise to the Bahamas. It was awesome. I'm exhausted now. Here's my Supremes fix for the day; their 2nd #1 & the biggest hit as it was #1 for 4 weeks. Even the Beatles couldn't knock them off the top with this hit. I love all of you & will be back on tomorrow to tell about my cruise, etc. Sorry WVU lost in the last 4 seconds earlier this evening.

Supremes

It has been 50 years since "Baby Love" went to No.1 in the Billboard Hot 100! uDiscover has the story: http://smarturl.it/tsbabylove

THE SUPREMES-OCTOBER 2, 2014

My Supremes contribution for today!

Supremes

Today in 1965, accompanied by Berry Gordy, the Supremes appeared at Holland’s Grand Gala du Disque Awards in Amsterdam.

THE SUPREMES--ROMANIA

THANK YOU, ROMANIA, for finding my Blog & I hope to post a lot more of  THE SUPREMES from my personal experience with them as well as historical information. I will post soon. Thank you to all of my readers. Be well.   Gary

NATHAN JONES by THE SUPREMES, 1971

"NATHAN JONES" by THE SUPREMES was one of 15 Top 40 Hits by the group post Diana Ross & a unique one, indeed. It reached # 16 on Billboard in 1971 but made it to #5 in the UK. It also featured all three Supremes-Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong & Jean Terrell singing simultaneously on the hit which made for a full sounding composition. THE SUPREMES also had other memorable Top Hits at this time with: "FLOY JOY", "AUTOMATICALLY SUNSHINE", "I GUESS I'LL MISS THE MAN" (FROM THE BROADWAY HIT MUSICAL "PIPPIN'), "UP THE LADDER TO THE ROOF', 'EVERYBODY'S GOT THE RIGHT TO LOVE", "BAD WEATHER -WRITTEN BY STEVIE WONDER FOR THEM), "TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE SUCH SWEET MUSIC", "YOU GOTTA HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART", "RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH", "YOUR WONDERFUL SWEET SWEET LOVE", "BILL, WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK?", "TOUCH"--A BEAUTIFUL BALLAD, AND THE HUGE HIT: "STONED LOVE". 

NO, THE SUPREMES DIDN'T END WITH THE LEAVING OF DIANA ROSS IN 1970. AS YOU CAN SEE--& REMEMBER BY THESE WONDERFUL SONGS--THEY CONTINUED, WITH THE WONDERFUL LEADERSHIP OF MARY WILSON, WITH MANY MORE WONDERFUL YEARS OF HITS!

YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE-THE SUPREMES

48 YEARS AGO TODAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1966 THE SUPREMES "YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE" topped the Billboard's Top 100 with their 6th #1 Hit. It was another Holland, Dozier, Holland song & it held #1 for 2 weeks. It entered the Hot 100 at #66 on August 13, 1966, and according to Billboard Magazine, was an upwardly mobile record, moving from 66-28-7-4 then to number one. It followed two Supremes' hits that didn't make #1 "My World Is Empty Without You" (#5) & "Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart" (#9). It prevented The Beatles' "Yellow Brick Road" from taking charge of the top spot!

In Britain it peaked at #3 putting it in a three-way tie for their second biggest single in the UK. "Baby Love" is their only #1 British song. Where Did Our Love Go?" & post Diana Ross, "Stoned Love" also hit #3 in England.

(chart information courtesy of Billboard Magazine records)

Two months later The Supremes would be topping the charts, yet again, with the follow up: "You Keep Me Hangin' On".

They still had 5 more #1 hits to go before the end of 1969!
Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard & Diana Ross kept non-stop in their touring, recording, TV appearances & interviews.

"Where Did Our Love Go?" 8/22/1964

Well everybody; TODAY is the day, August 22, 1964--50 years ago--that The Supremes had their first #1 hit when "Where Did Our Love Go?" took over the #1 spot which would be the beginning of 11 more #1's to follow over the next 5 years!  Congratulations to Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard & Diana Ross (& Cindy Birdsong) for giving us over 40 Top 40 wonderful hits. They are the greatest.

50 Years today, 8/1/1964 The Supremes were at #5...

...with their highest charting record yet! After 8 previous 'flops', with only "A Breath Taking Guy" that managed to hit #75 in the summer of 1963, The Supremes began their incredible career of hits as "Where Did Our Love Go" (which had already been turned down by The Marvelettes & Martha Reeves & The Vandellas) broke the Top 5 with The Beatles holding down the #1 spot with their "A Hard Day's Night" that held #1 for two weeks. "Where Did Our Love Go" didn't fade, however, as Frank Sinatra then took over from The Beatles for one week with "Everybody Loves Somebody". Then The Supremes took over #1 for two weeks with the first of their 12 #1 Hits on August 22, 1964--50 years ago this month! The rest was history in the making as everything in their life, & Motown's, changed. They had just begun to chart & break records that are still unsurpassed to this very day. The original release has Mary & Flo singing "Baby, Baby" 54 times throughout the song!

"You Keep Me Hangin' On", The Supremes, 1966

On this day in 1966, the Supremes recorded vocals for “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.”

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Billboard Magazine states that "You Keep Me Hangin' On" was recorded on JUNE 30, 1966 & I'd tend to believe their date. It entered the Top 100 at #68 on October 29 & 'moved like lightning: 68-27-7-to number one!'

Billboard states that this was the first time in the history of the Hot 100 that all five positions were filled by songs that either had been or would be number one!

Like The Supremes' previous hit, "You Can't Hurry Love", "You Keep Me Hanin' On" help the Number One Spot for two consecutive weeks.

"Nothing But Heartaches"- 1965, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross

Isn't this an awesome picture of Flo, Diana, & Mary? I don't recall ever seeing it before! Here's some info about "Nothing But Heartaches". This was their 6th release after "Where Did Our Love Go?" hit #1 as did "Baby Love", "Come See About Me", "Stop! In The Name Of Love" & then their 5th consecutive #1 "Back In My Arms Again"! "Nothing But Heartaches" stalled at #11--yes, it didn't make the Top Ten! Everyone was shocked! I think there was some hanky panky behind this as it was a wonderful song & talk was out about The Supremes couldn't keep challenging The Beatles like they were doing. It actually was going to be called: "I Can't Break Away" as both lines were used almost equally throughout the song. Their next 4 songs hit #1 which would have made The Supremes have 10 consecutive #1 Hits (unsurpassed if it would have been allowed to happen). Enjoy the info.

"Nothing But Heartaches” by the Supremes is released, 1965. http://itunes.com/Motown

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS-THE SUPREMES (1965)

THIS IS A RECENTLY RE-MASTERED CD OF THE SUPREMES 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' ALBUM FROM 1965. IT INCLUDES 4 ADDITIONAL SONGS WITH FLORENCE BALLARD'S INCREDIBLE VOICE SINGING: 'SILENT NIGHT' SOLO. IT WILL MAKE YOU CRY. I sincerely SUGGEST YOU PURCHASE IT FROM moviemars ON E-BAY. IT'S 0NLY $7.92 PLUS $2.99 S&H. I'VE PLAYED THIS ALBUM, CASSETTE, 8-TRACK, & NOW CD SINCE 1965. IT'S MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS ALBUM. YOU WON'T BE SORRY WITH YOUR PURCHASE FROM movie mars. Simply log onto E-bay & buy it from them. You won't be sorry.

Have one to sell? Sell it yourself

Details about  THE SUPREMES - 20TH CENTURY MASTERS - THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION [THE - NEW CD

Seller :

moviemars (1879823

"Where Did Our Love Go? released 50 years ago today. The Supremes

From Wikipedia:

Some more info about The Supremes' first #1 hit released 50 years ago today, June 17, 1964--"Where Did Our Love Go?"

Where Did Our Love Go is a 1964 album by Motown singing group The Supremes. The album, their second studio LP, includes several of the group's singles and B-sides from 1963 and 1964. Included are the group's first Billboard Pop Singles number-one hits, "Where Did Our Love Go", "Baby Love", and "Come See About Me", as well as their first Top 40 hit, "When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes", and the singles "A Breathtaking Guy" and "Run, Run, Run".
With the release of this album, The Supremes became the first act in Billboard magazine history to have three number-one hits from the same album. It was the album that introduced "The Motown Sound" to the masses. It was also, at the time, the highest ranking album by an all female group. It remained in the #2 position for 4 weeks, in January 1965, remaining on the Billboard charts for an unprecedented 89 weeks.

Note the second paragraph where it states that The Supremes became the FIRST act in Billboard magazine history to have three number-one hits from the same album! It also was the highest ranking album by an all female group & remained on the Billboard charts for an unprecedented 89 weeks--that's over one year & nine months!!!  GO SUPREMES!
 

50 YEARS TODAY, JUNE 17, 1964--THE SUPREMES FIRST #1 RELEASED

THIS IS HARD TO IMAGINE BUT:

Gary James Bridge

11 hrs ·

It was 50 years ago today that The Supremes' first #1 record, "Where Did Our Love Go?" was released! They were called the No-Hit Supremes as they had 8 singles that flopped. After "Where Did Our Love Go?" The Supremes went on to have 4 more consecutive #1's--a feat yet to be matched by any American artist or group. After their 6th release (which I feel should have been #1) "Nothing But Heartaches", failed to make #1 they then came back with 4 more consecutive #1 hits. They ended up having--as most people from my generation knows--12 #1 Hits; more than any artist except for The Beatles (a British group) & Elvis Presley (an American solo male)! Such incredible memories of fantastic songs.

Forgotten SUPREMES' HITS...

...BUT are they?

The Supremes had so many hits, with 12 of them reaching #1 on Billboard Magazine, Variety, Cash Box, etc. that we may have forgotten some of their hits that haven't really been played by the radio stations the past few decades. These hits, most of which made the Top 10 &, most certainly the Top 40, were ones such as:



WHENEVER THE LOVELIGHT STARTS SHINING THROUGH HIS EYES
FOREVER CAME TODAY
SOME THINGS YOU NEVER GET USED TO
THE COMPOSER
NO MATTER WHAT SIGN YOU ARE
I'M LIVING IN SHAME
NOTHING BUT HEARTACHES (WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A #1 HIT)
LOVE IS LIKE AN ITCHING IN MY HEART
I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU LOVE ME (THE SUPREMES  & THE TEMPTATIONS)
THE WEIGHT
I'LL TRY SOMETHING NEW (THE SUPREMES & TEMPTATIONS)
RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH (THE SUPREMES & THE 4 TOPS)
IN & OUT OF LOVE
WHO COULD EVER DOUBT MY LOVE?
HE HOLDS HIS OWN
CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU (MARY WILSON SOLO)
...AND THE LIST GOES ON.....



GARY





  

DIANA ROSS at Jefferson Memorial Coliseum

...on this date, April 21, 1979, 35 years ago today, I had what were supposed to be front row seats to see Miss Ross at Birmingham, AL's Jefferson Memorial Coliseum. My dear friend, Tim Lennox, who then was in Birmingham as a Newsman, got me the tickets. He had another function he had to attend that night so I had to go by myself. When I got there, those of us that had Press & Front Row Seats, were made to move back about 5 or more rows as Diana had lost an Aunt that lived in Bessemer, AL (where Diane was born) & had her entire family entourage get the seats we had tickets for. She also was late to perform that night although, of course, she put on a great show--albeit a tad short. I am a very sympathetic & emotional man but realize death is final & we all are going to go through it. I got the limited edition poster that Tim got for me framed & it has been on display in my homes across the country these past 35 years. I'm proud to have it. The last time I had seen Diana Ross perform was at The Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, NV on January 14, 1970 when The Supremes became The Supremes again with Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong, & Jean Terrell & Diana Ross became a solo act. Tim Lennox is still my friend & is a CBS/ABC Morning News Anchor in Montgomery, AL. Tim has his own blog: TimLennox.com which is certainly worth checking out. I'm thankful to still be alive & still enjoying The Supremes & Diana Ross' music 50 years after they first charted this year with "Where Did Our Love Go?"

SUPREMES' Reunion

Home > News > Duke Fakir predicts Supremes reunion

The Four Tops - Duke Fakir predicts Supremes reunion

by Bang Showbiz | 02 April 2014

The Four Tops star Duke Fakir is predicting Diana Ross and Mary Wilson are going to reconcile their friendship and reunite as The Supremes for a concert.

The Four Tops star Duke Fakir believes Diana Ross and Mary Wilson are set to reunite for a concert as The Supremes.
The 78-year-old singer thinks the time could be right for the two stars to put their differences aside after so many year and put the iconic Motown group back together one last time with Cindy Birdsong.
Duke - who is the last original surviving member of The Four Tops - told BANG Showbiz: ''I'm going to make a prediction; somewhere down the line I see her and Mary giving each other a big hug and saying, 'Let's do this one more time.' The older you get as you look back, whatever happened in those bygone days is forgotten - usually. Why not? I kind of feel that might be coming up. I think they might do one big concert or it could be a residency in Las Vegas or somewhere like for a week or so. It's very possible, I just see that happening and it would be great.''
Duke - who is currently on tour in the UK with his group and The Temptations - is convinced that Diana, 70, is ready to bury the hatchet with 70-year-old Mary and knows she is ready to perform because she regularly performs, describing her concerts as ''fantastic''.
Temptations star Otis Williams is also hopeful for a reunion and insists the 'Baby Love' hitmaker is in a position where she can play just to cement her amazing legacy.
Otis, 72, said: ''Oh Mother Supreme, as I call her, is still playing. She's in a unique position where she can keep playing and work when she wants to work.''
Mary turned down the chance for a reunion tour as The Supremes in 2000 after she discovered Diana was offered $15 million to do it, whilst she was offered $4 million and Cindy less than $1 million.
The last time Diana and Mary appeared on stage together was on the 'Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever' TV special in 1983.
The Temptations and The Four Tops - joined by special guests The Platters and Freda Payne - are playing concerts across Britain this week, including Manchester Arena tonight (02.04.14) and The O2 in London on Thursday (03.04.14).

The Supremes 12 #1 Hits from Billboard Magazine

The Supremes were and still are the #1 girl group in history. They were the premier act of Motown Records in the 1960s and, at their peak, they sold more records than any other entertainer, except for the Beatles.

They helped to break down racial barriers in an era of civil rights, presented themselves as glamorous and positive role models in a decade of turmoil, and sang a versatile repertoire of songs that included everything from doo-wop, disco, show tunes, country, and, of course, their own hits.

During their eighteen-year run, the Supremes scored over 30 top 40 hits, 12 of them reaching #1. According to Billboard, only The Beatles, Mariah Carey, Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Madonna have surpassed them with more #1 hits.

The 12 #1 hits in this video are:
"Where Did Our Love Go" (1964)
"Baby Love" (1964)
"Come See About Me" (1964)
"Stop! In The Name of Love" (1965)
"Back In My Arms Again" (1965)
"I Hear A Symphony" (1965)
"You Can't Hurry Love" (1966)
"You Keep Me Hanging On" (1966)
"Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" (1967)
"The Happening" (1967)
"Love Child" (1968)
"Someday We'll Be Together" (1969)

Diane (a) Ross' 70th Birthday

Wednesday, March 26, 2013 & today is Diana Ross' 70th Birthday. Diane (a) is 20 days younger than Mary Wilson who celebrated her 70th on March 6th. Diana has had an incredible career, not only having 12 #1's with The Supremes but has garnered a total of 70 hit singles with 8 more #1 singles as a solo artist. Diana has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame--one as The Supremes & one as a solo artist. The Ross, Wilson, Ballard Supremes were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994 & entered into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998. The Supremes, of course, are listed in Rolling Stone magazine's Top 100 Artists of all time. Happy Birthday, Diana.

Photo Card from Mary Wilson

I just received a wonderful picture card from Mary Wilson in today's mail. When I get a piece of mail from her it brightens my day beyond explanation. I am so blessed. My Spring Day was complete!

I, of course, had sent her a Birthday card for her 70th Birthday on March 6th & included some pictures. I had sent pictures of the front & back of the home I purchased last April, plus a picture of my American Eskimo Spitz, Symphony Supreme (of course you all know where I got that name from?), sitting on a sofa looking regal staring right at the camera. I also included a few more. 

I'm delighted to share what dearest Mary wrote in the card:

Hello Gary,
Thank you so much for the card & beautiful photos. I love the house and so cool that Symphony sat there while you took the pic. So much is happening in my life. Stay tuned for new news. 

Touch---Mary 

On this date, March 18, 1965, "STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE", The Supremes' fourth consecutive #1, was sitting at #3 getting ready to bump The Beatles (yet again) from the #1 spot. The following week they did this. They had just left for Europe for their first Motortown Revue & hadn't even had time to work on any choreography for this fourth #1. "They ducked into a men's room with Paul Williams & Melvin Franklin of the Temptations & Berry Gordy to come up with the world-wide known move that resembles a police officer halting traffic." Generations of fans instantly extend their arms like a cop when they hear "Stop! In the Name of Love" come on the radio to this day! The song remained at #1 for two weeks. 

On this date, 1967, The Supremes held the #1 Spot for "Love is Here and Now You're Gone"

MARY WILSON'S BIRTHDAY

March 6, 2014

Today is the awesomely beautiful, talented, energetic & successful beyond comprehension, MARY WILSON'S, 70th Birthday! Mary told me--as she has the world with each decade--that it is wonderful that she still loves performing, lecturing, touring, & meeting fans around the world with every place she tours after more than 50 years!

Isn't it mind boggling that she still looks so elegant & cheerful & full of energy? She just keeps going & going. 

HAPPY, HEALTHY 70TH BIRTHDAY, DEAREST MARY. MAY 2014 CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL & SAFE FOR YOU.

GOD BLESS. 
 

Hello fellow Supremes fans.  I am so sorry I haven't posted anything for a week or so. Maybe I can throw out some tidbits of info with this quick post to tide us over until I can get more posted.

1) I think we all know The Supremes had an unprecedented 12 #1 hits; starting with 1964's "Where Did Our Love Go?" & ending with 1969's "Someday We'll Be Together".

2) The Supremes never won a Grammy!

3) Only The Beatles & Elvis Presley had more number one hits than The Supremes & Elvis was a single, male, American artist & The Beatles were a British male band.

4) Ironically, Elvis Presley, The Supremes & The Beatles ALL had their last #1 hit within eight months of each other! Elvis with "Suspicious Minds", The Supremes with "Someday We'll Be Together" & The Beatles with "The Long & Winding Road"!  AND, a lot of people don't know this but Mary & Cindy didn't sing on their last #1 song (Motown's backup singers, The Andantes did), Elvis' regular band didn't back him up on his last #1 & only Paul sang on The Beatles last #1, Paul playing the piano & singing solo & John did play the bass guitar. The others were studio musicians. 

5) "Baby Love" was The Supremes biggest hit if you base it on the most weeks at Billboard's Number 1 Hits. It held it for 4 weeks.
Baby Love was also the only song to hit #1 in England until the post Diana Ross Supremes when Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong, & Jean Terrell hit #1 with "Stoned Love"!

6) Mary Wilson is 20 days older than Diana Ross. Mary was born on March 6, 1944 & Diane (a) was born on March 26, 1944. Dear Florence Ballard was born on June 30, 1943. 

7) Florence Ballard had a wonderful sense of humor & also had a powerful voice. She, as Mary Wilson has often stated, didn't need music to accompany her incredible voice & range. Florence also started The Supremes, named The Supremes & was the first forced out of The Supremes in 1967 when their name was changed to Diana Ross & The Supremes. This is when Cindy Birdsong (from Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells) was brought in to replace Flo.

Thank you for checking in to my Blog & do feel free to comment on anything I post. Be well.  

Gary 

JUST A REMINDER that 44 years ago today Diana Ross left The Supremes at their farewell performance at The Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas--January 14, 1970! The resort had the distinction of hosting Elvis Presley's first Vegas appearance in 1956, and the final performance of Diana Ross and The Supremes on January 14, 1970.

TODAY IN HISTORY:
SUNDAY JANUARY 12, 2014

On this date, Berry Gordy, Jr., founded Motown Records (originally Tamla Records) in Detroit, Michigan in 1959. Berry was only 29 years old when he borrowed $800 from his family to open his Tamla label. On January 21, 1959 "Come To Me" by Marv Johnson as Tamla 101 was released. Smokey Robinson assisted Berry from the start & was signed and in 1960 Mary Wells was signed. His catalog of artists would soon make Motown/Tamla/Gordy labels the biggest selling record label in the United States. Berry Gordy, Jr. is still alive at 84 years old. His net worth is estimated at $345 million.

The Supremes (sans Diana Ross) began two weeks after Ross' final performance at The Frontier Hotel on January 14, 1970 with their first single release; UP THE LADDER TO THE ROOF. Fans were elated that the new Supremes charted first & the single did quite well reaching #10 on the US charts ( #1 on many US Radio Stations), #5 on the US R&B chart, #6 on the UK chart (their first record since 1967's Reflections) to reach the UK's Top Ten, & #8 on the Canadian Top Ten! Ross' first single followed soon thereafter which would become her signature song, REACH OUT & TOUCH SOMEBODY'S HAND. Ross' song only hit #20 on the US charts &  #7 on the US R&B charts. It was obvious that both artists had their loyal following & time would tell who would take the lead.

44 YEARS AGO THIS PAST WEEK...

... December 27, 1969 - January 2, 1970 the Number One record was: "SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER" according to "The Billboard Book of NUMBER ONE HITS". Quoting their first paragraph: "The final number one song of the 1960's was by the most successful American group of the decade--of the entire rock era, in fact. "Someday We'll Be Together" was the twelfth number one single for Diana Ross and The Supremes, and their final release before Diana left to pursue a solo career." The Supremes would continue to chart with hits such as "Up The Ladder To The Roof", "Stoned Love" (which was the ONLY record except for Baby Love) to go to Number One in England), Nathan Jones, Bad Weather, Automatically Sunshine, & more. They, however, never hit #1 again in the United States.

New Years Honors from ABC

ABC-TV's New Year's Eve broadcast included a list of the top 30 woman entertainers, and Diana Ross was #6!

 They got the graphic with her name right, but why didn't ABC use a video clip with just her instead of all three of the original Supremes? Beats me. Maybe the production assistant didn't know the difference? Or maybe was just lazy?

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014 TO ALL OF MY VIEWERS!  I truly hope that each & everyone of you will have a wonderful year filled with dreams come true & good health & happiness.

I used the words 'dreams come true' in the above sentence for a reason. Mary Wilson had two best selling autobiographies. For decades Mary has told millions of her fans & friends that "Dreams do come true." She often signs her letters & cards & pictures with: Dare to Dream.

TWO weeks from today, January 14th of 1970 at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas The Supremes (Diana Ross & The Supremes) became as Ed Sullivan wrote in a telegram that was read that night: "Tonight the most successful group of the sixties becomes two of the biggest artists of the 70's as The Supremes continue with Jean Terrell & Diana Ross leaves to become a solo artist." I will never forget that night as Jean Terrell was introduced to the world as Ross' replacement. She was shy & humble. 

It is almost inconceivable that that performance was 44 years ago!