Diana Ross & The Supremes

Originally formed in 1959 as The Primettes - sister group to the male vocal act The Primes - the Supremes’ original line-up was composed of Florence Ballard, her best friend Mary Wilson and Wilson’s classmate Diana Ross. As the trio's fame grew with major international hits such as “Where Did Our Love Go”, “Baby Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love”, Diana Ross became the center of attention and a star in her own right. In 1967, after five years and 11 albums, Berry Gordy decided to focus attention on Ross by renaming the group Diana Ross & the Supremes. He stated that the group was a commercial enterprise in the same way as Martha Reeves & the Vandellas and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles , but this decision didn't sit well with the other two singers in the Supremes. Disenchanted by having Ross take center stage in a group that she herself had co-founded, Florence Ballard became difficult to work with and was soon replaced by Cindy Birdsong – formerly of Patti Labelle and the Bluebelles - by the time of the release of the album Reflections in March 1968. Unfortunately, the group’s rechristening coincided with the departure of Motown's top songwriting team, Brian Holland-Lamont Dozier-Eddie Holland, following a dispute over money. In August 1968, they released the album Diana Ross & the Supremes Sing and Perform ‘Funny Girl’, followed three months later by the collaborative album Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations. Released just days after their album with the Temptations, the trio released the album Love Child, which featured the hit title track, their first Number 1 single as Diana Ross & the Supremes. They still had sizable hits – including “The Happening” – but Motown and the band were losing footing on the charts as the ‘60s drew to a close. Three more albums appeared in 1969 – including another collaboration with the Temptations – but all was not well in the Supremes camp. “Someday We’ll Be Together” became their final Number 1 hit before Diana Ross left for a solo career in January 1970. The remaining members continued as The Supremes with declining success and eventually split up. From their original line-up, Florence Ballard died in poverty on February 22, 1976 while Mary Wilson died on February 8, 2021.