Diana Ross
and the Supremes

Diana Ross, and The Supremes, fresh from the Motown School of professionalism.

Diana Ross, and The Supremes: The Undisputed Queens of the Girl Groups of the 60's and 70's

Diana Ross was born in 1944. While at school, she and school friends Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard, all from a housing estate in Detroit, got together forming The Primettes.

In 1960, Berry Gordy, founder of Tamla Motown, saw them and signed them to his label. Berry saw more in them than his current stable of girl groups, the (Marvelettes and Vandellas) and they eventually became his ultimate crossover group.

Carefully honed by the Motown people, they were taught movement and deportment. Berry changed their name to the Supremes, and under that name, they became the most successful female group in history.

Diana Ross and Supremes find Success

Dianna and Supremes stepping out on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Getting exposure on the Ed Sullivan Show.L to R, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Diana Ross.

Their first hit was “When the Lovelight Starts Shining” which made the U.S charts. But it was when Diana started singing the lead vocals, and Holland-Dozier Holland began producing their things started happening. It was Megahit time!

“Where Did Our Love Go”, a million seller, was a hit both in the U.S. and U.K., and from there on, Diana featured a lead vocal on all their recordings. Hit followed hit, with “Baby Love”, “My World Is Empty Without You”, “Love Child”, “The Happening”, “Come See About Me”, “Stop! In The Name of Love”, “Back In my Arms Again”, “I Hear a Symphony”.

In ’66 they scored more No. 1’s with “You Can’t Hurry Love”, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”. The Supremes are regarded as the undisputed first among girl groups, queens of the charts in the 60’s. In the mid 60’s, with Diana now seen as the centerpiece, and obviously Gordy’s favorite, the band became Diana Ross and the Supremes.

Stop! In the name of love! Another Supremes T.V. appearance.

"Stop! In The Name Of Love!" Another T.V. appearance for Diana Ross and The Supremes.

A Change In The Supremes

This caused unrest in the group, and after two more No, 1 hits, “Love Is here, and Now You’re Gone” and “The Happening” Florence Ballard departed. Her replacement was Cindy Birdsong, from Patti LaBelle’s Blue Bells.

With Cindy, they had the hits “Reflections” (No.2), “In and Out of Love”, (No.9 in ‘67) and “Forever Came Today”, top 30. This was their last collaboration with H-D-H

Shortly after, in 1970, the long expected solo move took place.

Her first solo effort, “Reach Out and Touch” made the USA top 20, also charting in the UK. The next, a reworking of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough “got to No. 1 USA and 10 in the UK.

There were three top 40’s in in the USA in 1971, but “I’m Still Waiting” which only made No. 63 USA went to No. 1 in the UK. Berry Gordy, a great supporter of Diana’s always saw her as the first Motown superstar, and, in 1972, secured for her the lead roll in the film “Lady Sings The Blues” , the Billie Holiday bio pic.

Diana had 33 top 100 singles till 1985, including “Chain Reaction” a hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

The new Supremes, Cindy Birdsong joins the team.

The new look team. Cindy Birdsong, right, joins Diana Ross and The Supremes.