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.