The Supremes

Left to Right

Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross

Formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1959

Originally known as the Primettes

Years active - 1959-1977 ... 1983-2000

Genres considered - R&B, Soul, Pop, Doo-Wop, Disco

Most successful act of Motown Records - 12 No. 1 singles on Billboard Hot 100 (most written and produced by Motown's songwriting and production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland)

Changes -

Diana Ross & the Supremes circa 1967

Cindy Birdsong replaced Florence Ballard, 1967

In 1970, Diana Ross left to pursue solo work and was replaced by Jean Terrell.

The Supremes circa 1970

Mid-1970s Lineup -

Lynda Laurence (American singer)

Scherrie Payne (American singer)

Susaye Greene (American singer-songwriter)

1977 - The group disbanded

Origins

Early years - Six released singles failed to chart, known as the "no-hit Supremes" 

"Where Did Our Love Go" - Rejected by the Marvelettes...Picked up by the Supremes...No. 1 on Billboard pop charts...No. 3 in the UK

Following this success came four consecutive No. 1 hits - "Baby Love," "Come See About Me," "Stop! In the Name of Love," & "Back in My Arms Again" 

"Baby Love" - No. 1 in the UK, Grammy Nomination

"Stop! In the Name of Love" - Grammy Nomination

Known for their polished appearance and mainly white fanbase, the Supremes ironically were not considered "black enough" by the time countercultural in the 1960s came around.

In the music industry when a group member opts to go solo, the departure is theirs to take.  When Diana Ross left to embark on a solo career, I got the sense with research that she was driven by Motown into solo work, not necessarily an individual decision.  Tell me if I'm wrong -

"By 1969, the label began plans for a Diana Ross solo career.  A number of candidates...were considered to replace Ross..." (Ross's Departure)

"Someday We'll Be Together" - 12th & last No. 1 by Diana Ross & the Supremes ... Final performance together (The Ed Sullivan Show, December 1969)

1970s

Hits with Jean Terrell leading -

"Up the Ladder to the Roof" (10 U.S., 6 UK)

"Stoned Love" (7 U.S., 3 UK)

"Nathan Jones" (16 U.S., 5 UK)

Supremes/Four Tops duet version of "River Deep - Mountain High" (original to Ike & Tina Turner)

"Floy Joy" - Last Top 20 hit ... Written and produced by Smokey Robinson

"Automatically Sunshine" - Last Top 40 hit

Point of intrigue - By the time "Floy Joy" and "Automatically Sunshine" were released, Motown left Detroit for Los Angeles to pursue motion pictures and therefore did little to promote the Supremes' latest work.  This reflected in reduced popularity and sales.

Cindy Birdsong left in April 1972.  She was replaced by Lynda Laurence.  The following album and only single failed to impress Billboard charts.

Lynda Laurence left in 1973.  Cindy Birdsong returned to the group.  The released single at the time, "Bad Weather," too did not impress.

Jean Terrell soon left and was replaced by Scherrie Payne.

Cindy Birdsong left once more, in 1976, and was replaced by Susaye Greene.

Farewell concert - June 12, 1977 at Drury Lane Theater in London

With no original members, Motown made the decision to disband the Supremes.

Point of intrigue - I find that when a member of a group leaves, that shows where there is no longer interest.  Where tension, friction, and poor communication rise, plummeting interest and break up are defined and decided by the members.  If a record label decides the fate of a group and perhaps their potential future on an individual level, that does not make sense to me.  Where am I wrong in that thought process?

Works inspired by the Supremes - Sparkle (1976 film) & Dreamgirls (1981 Tony award winner)

Honors -

Grammy Hall of Fame - "Where Did Our Love Go," "You Keep Me Hangin' On," & "Stop! In the Name of Love"

Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award - Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, & Florence Ballard

"Stop! In the Name of Love" & "You Can't Hurry Love" - Listed on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll

Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.  They received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.  They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.

Ross, Wilson, Ballard - No. 97 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (2004)

The Supremes influenced such black girl groups as The Pointer Sisters, TLC, Destiny's Child, and others.  The Supremes were likewise an influence on Madonna.

Where Simon & Garfunkel embarked on reunion tour after reunion tour, attempts for the "original classic (Supremes) lineup" failed or did poorly when those who did perform never actually worked together (as in Diana Ross, Scherrie Payne, and Lynda Laurence with the latter two singing live songs they were not familiar with...the tour was canceled midway through the dates).

With the passings of Florence Ballard (1976) and Mary Wilson (2021), the possibility of a reunion is of course null.

Discography

(Wikipedia)

At the end of the day parts a duo.

Oh well disbands a group.