| 'Supremes' drama continues as 'Dreamgirls' opening nears |
By Steve Holsey |
Published
10/19/2006
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Arts & Leisure
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'Supremes' drama continues as 'Dreamgirls' opening nears
| THE SUPREMES during one of many television performances in the 1960s. From left are Diana Ross, Cindy Birdsong (who replaced original member Florence Ballard) and Mary Wilson. By this time, Motown had changed the group’s name to Diana Ross & the Supremes.
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“Ball of Confusion” was a huge hit for the Temptations in 1970, but the title is in some ways applicable to situations involving the most successful female vocal group of all time, the Supremes. The group reached unprecedented heights in the 1960s, earning legendary and icon status, and having an impact that prevails to this day.
The original group consisted of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard. After years of limited and sporadic success, the Supremes finally clicked with “Where Did Our Love Go?” in 1964, a song, by the way, they did not like initially. After that, it was an amazing string of superhits, a total of twelve reaching No. 1 on the national Pop charts, five of them consecutively.
| DIANA ROSS has feuded publicly with Mary Wilson. She also launched a tour with two latter-day Supremes she had not worked with previously.
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It was like a sequined fairy tale. Wilson described it as “a real-life Cinderella story,” noting that “we had all these people just loving us!” Everything was beautiful. That is, until resentment developed on the part of Ballard and to a much lesser extent, Wilson, when Ross became more of the group’s focal point.
“DREAMGIRLS,” which is based loosely on the Supremes story, opens in late December, with Beyoncé Knowles in the “Deena Jones” role, a character in many ways similar to Diana Ross. Knowles has expressed huge admiration for Ross.
Ballard was fired around the time the group’s name was changed by Motown to Diana Ross & the Supremes. Basically she was let go because of bad attitude and insubordination. Her replacement was Cindy Birdsong from Patti LaBelle & the Blue Belles. The transition was a surprisingly smooth one. Not long after her removal, Ballard stated publicly, “If I ever did come back, they would definitely have to change the name back to what it was.”
| MARY WILSON has gone to court in an effort to prevent use of the Supremes name. She was in the group from beginning to end.
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Of course, the chances of Flo being allowed back in the group were slim to none. She died in 1977. Mary Wilson dedicated the group’s “High Energy” album to Ballard, but Motown removed the dedication from the back cover.
Among the latest conflicts — and it has gotten ugly — is one that involves Mary Wilson and a trio called the Sounds of the Supremes that has been around for a long time now. The group will be performing Dec. 1 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, in Dearborn, along with “the Temptations Tribute with Damon Harris” and others.
Wilson and the group’s leader, Kaaren Ragland, completely fail to see eye to eye. Wilson believes that no one should use the Supremes name in any way unless they were a Supreme by Motown contract. There were eight Supremes signed by Motown: Wilson, Ross, Ballard, Birdsong, Jean Terrell, Lynda Laurence, Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene.
RAGLAND steadfastly maintains that in the ’70s and ’80s she, too, was a Supreme. The Supremes officially disbanded in 1979, but according to Ragland, “the group carried on.” Wilson had a 50 percent ownership in the name at that time and had many complicated conflicts with Motown over usage of it. Ragland says she was with Mary for eight and half years, and the act was “always sold as the Supremes.”
Ragland strongly asserts that she can prove this.
| “THE FORMER Ladies of the Supremes” consists of two Supremes from the ’70s, Lynda Laurence (left) and Scherrie Payne (center) and a third singer, Freddi Poole. The third member was originally Jean Terrell, who replaced Diana Ross in the Supremes in 1970.
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“We went to federal court about the name, and Mary lost because she had sold all of her ownership rights. There was no question about it. She was paid not to use the name, to give up her 49 percent.” According to Ragland, Wilson was paid “in the six figures” at the time Berry Gordy was selling Motown to PolyGram.
Ragland said the judge even made Wilson pay damages.
Wilson has a completely different point of view, and referred to Ragland as “delusional.”
“The group disbanded in 1977,” Wilson told the Chronicle in an e-mail. “I later toured using several ladies. Kaaren was only used on tours in the ’80s. She has never recorded with me or was ever signed to Motown. All of the eight women who were ‘Supremes’ had a record deal which made them Supremes by contract. At the time I would bill myself as the Supreme. Even now I sometimes do so, but none of the others are Supremes. If by billing myself as the Supreme meant all the people I had as back-up were Supremes as well, that would mean 20 some ladies could call themselves Supremes.”
But Ragland, who has never backed off her position, told the Chronicle by way of telephone that it is a non-issue in the sense that her group is called “the Sounds of the Supremes.”
“WE HAVE BEEN very careful from day one to call ourselves the Sounds of the Supremes,” she said. “That is in our contract, and our contracts are very explicit. We have really taken pains to advertise ourselves correctly and to present an excellent show, and that’s why we’ve been successful.” (She was unaware that some ads for the Dec. 1 show was calling the group “the Supremes,” and promised to bring that to a halt.)
She continued, “I would never take away Mary’s props. She’s paid her dues. She’s been around a long time. I have nothing against her.”
Ragland is actually supportive of Wilson’s fight to get the “Truth In Music” bill passed. With it, a group could only use the name if at least one original member remained. Otherwise they would have to be identified as a “tribute group” — which is what the Sounds of the Supremes actually is.
“I hate to see Black women going at each other,” said Ragland.
Such as the well-publicized conflicts between Mary Wilson and Diana Ross, which reached two peaks, one on stage during the taping of the “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” special in 1983 and, in 2000, involving the “Return to Love” tour which was supposed to feature Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong.
It all fell apart when Wilson went public with her displeasure regarding the way the money was going to be divided. It was all very unpleasant, and the media ate it up. The ladies, who used to be best friends, zapped each other on national television and in print media.
The tour went on with Ross singing, for the first time ever, with ’70s Supremes Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne. It was an excellent show, but also an eleborate, expensive one, both in terms of ticket prices and production costs. Due to disappointing ticket sales, the tour was stopped, after reportedly losing in excess of $15 million. The public made it clear that it wanted a real reunion, not a show using replacement singers, no matter how good they were.
THE BOTTOM LINE is that Mary Wilson doesn’t like the idea of anyone else using the Supremes name. However, because she no longer has ownership rights, it is difficult to fight effectively.
Laurence and Payne have, for two decades, performed in a group called the Former Ladies of the Supremes. The third member was Jean Terrell, but she left a few years ago, largely because she was tired of being caught up in conflict. Her replacements, first Sundray Tucker and now Freddi Poole, were never in the Supremes, which is awkward since the group name infers that all three members are former Supremes.
But even though there has been and continues to be some nasty situations, the Supremes legacy stands. They made history. Their impact is forever. And there will always be a place for their classic hits, including “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “Come See About Me,” “Baby Love,” “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Reflections,” “Love Child” and “I Hear a Symphony.”
Mary Wilson said she is looking forward to seeing the “Dreamgirls” movie, and expects to enjoy it as much as she enjoyed the Broadway show.
“By the second act I was crying because while many of the incidents depicted in the play could have happened to any number of female singing groups, I knew in my heart that this story rang far truer than the producers could have imagined,” wrote Wilson in “Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme,” her best-selling autobiography. “There were bits and pieces of my life, and the lives of my two best friends, up there. I was awed at the powerful influence of the Supremes legacy.”
It is unfortunate that the name itself has become a source of contention, conflict, legal woes and hard feelings.
| “THE SOUNDS of the Supremes” is led by Kaaren Ragland (center) who is adamant that she performed many times as a Supreme in the ’70s and ’80s and can easily prove it.
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Comments
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Comment #1
(Posted by Dave)
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I thought the 2000 RTL show was awful-poorly rehearsed and no sense of a group-and they weren't a group.
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Comment #2
(Posted by Christopher C. Colby)
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First of all let me say this article is "supremely" written!!! I think the legacy of The Supremes and Dreamgirls is eternal and will always be at the forefront of contraversy in one form or another.
I support all the Supremes in all their current endeavors and whole-heartedly hope Ms. Wilson and we the people get that bill passed to preserve our musical history appropriately.
I'm sure the film will be a success and coincide with keeping the dream alive for current and future generations. It's nice to know some things never wane. Dream supreme. Ciao.
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Comment #3
(Posted by Los)
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None of the women who worked as back up singers for Mary Wilson could ever claim any fame to the legendary Supremes. The "temporary replacements" in The Supremes in the 70s (Lynda Lawrence and Susaye Greene) were just that. Temporary stand ins for Ms. Cindy Birdsong. Ms. Birdsong deserves much more credit for her enormous contribution. It's a sad shame that "fake Supremes" are legally allowed to cash in on a legacy they had NOTHING to do with.
Florence Ballard (founding original member and original LEAD SINGER) never got her props while she was alive. It's saddens me to see and hear her story (though fictitious because Florence never made it back in the business and died so young)now a wonder of what could have been. "Dreamgirls" is really about Florence's soul and amazing vocal power. Her talents were cut short by a powerful machine that didnt recognize this proud, incredible woman with enough soul to truly shake the walls of any venue. Florence was a proud BLACK woman who would not compromise her BLACKNESS for a world that WAS indeed ready to hear her. Motown "officials" would not allow her to be. This travesty is what I feel truly killed her in the long run.
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Comment #4
(Posted by EJR)
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The article is a continuing saga of unmitigated bull****! The only Supremes who have a historical right to call themselves "Supremes" are Ross, Ballard, and Wilson. These are the Supremes who are in the Public Domain as "The Supremes." All others are after-the fact.
With the exception of Birdsong and Terrel, the rest are second-rate wannabes. Birdsong was choosen because she looked like Ballard from the audience's point-of-view...never because of her voice or talent. Terrel was choosen because of her voice but was quickly attempted an "oust" by Gordy because he knew that she would not work out; and she didn't.
It was Diana, Mary and Flo whom the world fell in love with...not the aftermaths!
Let it die!
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Comment #5
(Posted by aaron)
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the article was good,miss ross is great, diana ross carried the supremes with her sound her energy, mary is doing a great job holding on 2 the supreme name, i just wish that she would stop calling diana , diane, people change there names all the time, so no big deal, miss ross has been diana 4 over 40 years, so it would be nice if mary would stop acting like she can't remember 2 say diana, the supremes opened a lot of doors 4 the young ladies of today, and i don't think that people will ever forget that, and it's just a movie about a story that has been already told....there was no one doing what the supremes was doing at that time, they did what they had 2 do 2 make and years later, people still know the name ,....the supremes............
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Comment #6
(Posted by JACK CRESCENDO)
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The SUPREMES' intention of representing harmony and sisterhood has been obliterated by all the mess and mud slinging. Florence Ballard once quoted, "Maybe an Ikette but never a SUPREME" when referring or being compared to common behavior and unladylike antics. W The only tradition MW is maintaining is that of a meddler/mess maker and whiny pity-me victim
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Comment #7
(Posted by MissRossToYou)
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Mary Wilson is the delusional one. I have a poster in my posession that bills Mary Wilson and the Supremes. Karen Raglabnd was a member of that touring group in the late 70's and the 80's. Miss wilson knows that is true. She is a hypocrite. She did that as she asserts in her biography to fulfill contractual obligations after the group had disbanded.
Why was it a crime (in Mary's eyes) for Diana Ross to tour with two women who were actually Supremes and fine for Mary to tour with two women who had never even seen the Supremes perform? Diana is right; Mary has earned her living being disgruntled and bitter.
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Comment #8
(Posted by Carl Jenkins)
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Actually, I rather agree with Mary about the whole thing, beCAUSE of the fact that NOBODY involved understands that this is this woman's LIFE! NO OTHER has put in such work in perfecting and protecting and perpetuating the REAL LEGACY of the SUPREMES. Only after seeing the potential of it, after LEAVING it, decided to capitalize ON it by reason of not being able to work on their own without it! As Cindy Birdsong has had to chide another former Supreme about it, because of the problems that has arisen, It IS Mary's Life! YOU have to underSTAND that so to speak. And I agree with that. SHE was partnered in the CONCEIVING of the group, AND HAS REMAINED true to it FROM that moment ON! And she ONLY let up on the fight when it became too much of a financial burden to fight the corporations alone, and was convinced TO turn it over after being 'bled' financially the way that the 'biggies' CAN do a single person in a fight for rights! I feel it is IMMORAL for one to DisRespect her and treat her as anything but The Sole Remaining Originator Of the Supremes! SHE IS!
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Comment #9
(Posted by Neil)
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The legend of the Supremes is greater than the sum of its individual parts and that includes Miss Ross (as much as she would like to think differently). Those parts are Diane, Mary, and Flo. That is who America fell in love with and they combine to form the legend that we know as The Supremes. When Cindy Birdsong joined the group during the "Let's get Diane ready for solo stardom" period, the group then known as Diana Ross and The Supremes was already a knock-off from the original legend. Despite the fact that the group was much more glamorous, the sound was not the same. Diane's nasal cooing that cut like a knife through Flo's soprano and Mary's alto to create the unique Supremes' sound was losing its edge. That, along with Cindy Birdsong's ( I do adore Cindy) weak vocals combined to form a less than spectacular musical period known as the "Diana Ross and The Supremes" era. The fact that H-D-H left Motown around then also sealed the fate of the group as their ability to consistently hit the top of the charts was no longer insured. Then, when Diane began her solo career,she became another knock-off of the Supremes. With Jean Terrell leading the Supremes, we have another and this continued through the years. Diane had a long and successful solo career; however, when she is referred to as a superstar and the ultimate diva, I cringe. Her vocal contributions and her unique stage presence along with her glamour helped to establish the legend of the Supremes. That can not be disputed; however, I like to compare Diane with Lucille Ball. With Lucille, the legend is "I Love Lucy;" although, she did other projects after the demise of that show, nothing ever toppped it. It was an ensemble effort in which "Lucy" played a large part. With Diane, the Supremes are the legend, also an ensemble effort in which Diane played a huge part; however, she'll never top The Supremes. I believe that this has caused her great difficulty over the years. Her actions during the "Return to Love Tour" verify her inability to understand that it was never just about her (except with perhaps Berry Gordy). Finally, Mary and Diane will always be legends because of their association with the original Supremes. People who are critical of Mary say "she hasn't had a career....she's bitter!" Mary doesn't need to do another thing to ensure her status. She has managed to have a wonderful career just because she was once a back-up singer in a group that was a legend. The same is true of Diane. She doesn't need to do another thing except to acknowledge the importance of the legacy of all three of the girls who combined to form a singing group that would become an international phenomenon known as the legendary Supremes.
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Comment #10
(Posted by tina xena)
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this article was just what i was looking for, thank you that was great to read about!
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Comment #11
(Posted by john bohovich jr.)
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i believe that all the 8 recording members of the supremes should be acknowledged and recognized for the great songs they contributed to the group.the original trio was perfect.cindy birdsong,jean terrell and scherrie payne were all excellent singers who sang on all the groups 70's recordings.finally,i wish and hope that motown will release the groups farewell performance on june 12,1977,because i believe this will validate who the last official recording members of the group were.eight is enough.
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Comment #12
(Posted by john bohovich jr.)
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The Supremes have their place in history 1961-1977. The original trio Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson were the greatest. Cindy Birdsong, Jean Terrell, and Scherrie Payne were phenomenal. Lynda Laurence and Susaye Green were wonderful also. These were the only 8 ladies who had recording contracts with Motown Records as the Supremes, and the only ladies who should have a right to the group name.
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Comment #13
(Posted by john bohovich jr.)
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The former ladies of the supremes are the only authentic group of genuine recording supremes whose original lineup included grand divas scherrie payne, lynda laurence and jean terrell, replaced by sandra tucker, freddi poole and joyce vincent. the truth in music act requires that every group have at least one recording member and this group originally had 3 former supremes and now has 2 former supremes.
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Comment #14
(Posted by john bohovich jr.)
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when the group was formed in 1959 the original members were diana, florence, mary and bettymcglown. the quartet was called the primettes and signed with lupine records. in 1960 betty left and was replaced by barbara martin and the quartet signed with motown records. barbara left in 1961. both these grand ladies betty and barbara were recording members of the primettes and are the only other singers who have a claim to the groups legacy.
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Comment #15
(Posted by john bohovich jr.)
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In 1995 Motown released Diana Ross and the Supremes Anthology and listed all 10 members of the group, Florence Ballard, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Betty McGlown, Barbara Martin, Cindy Birdsong, Jean Terrell, Lynda Laurence, Scherrie Payne and Susaye Green. All of these eminent ladies are outstanding singers and were the best of the girl groups.
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Comment #16
(Posted by john bohovich jr.)
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The 8 lineups of the group were, the Primettes 1959-1960 Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Betty McGlown. 1960-1961 Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Barbara Martin. In January 1961 the group was renamed the Supremes. 1961-1967 Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson. In June 1967 the group was renamed Diana Ross and the Supremes. 1967-1970 Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong. Farewell performance January 1970. In 1970 the group was renamed the Supremes. 1970-1972 Jean Terrell, Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong. 1972-1973 Jean Terrell, Mary Wilson, Lynda Laurence. 1973-1976 Scherrie Payne, Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong. 1976-1977 Scherrie Payne, Mary Wilson, Susaye Green. Farewell performance June 12, 1977. All these grand ladies are talented singers and were satisfactory making the group and the Motown sound famous around the world. Eight is enough.
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Comment #17
(Posted by john bohovich jr.)
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Supreme Faith, the second autobiography by Mary Wilson states that in 1978 her musical act was called the Supremes - Mary Wilson with Karen Jackson and Kaaren Ragland, replaced by Gloria Scott, Debbie Crofton and Robin Alexander. All of these diversified ladies are gifted and great singers. July 1999, San Francisco ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Supremes name is owned by Motown and Motown has given permission to the former ladies of the Supremes and another spinoff group the Sounds of the Supremes to keep their names. These are the only 2 groups who have distinguished themselves as spinoff groups, and are approved by Motown. Also, the truth in music act states that a group could identify themselves as a salute or tribute.
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Comment #18
(Posted by john bohovich jr.)
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In 2002, Motown released the 70's Supremes Anthology and stated the Supremes officially disbanded June 12, 1977. Due to contract obligations they did a tour with Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong and a substitute Debbie Sharpe. Motown retired the group at this time, and the Supremes have their place in history 1961-1977.
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Comment #19
(Posted by francisco Lebron)
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Well after reading another article, it still seems to amaze me that so many people want to claim fame. The Original Supremes are Ross, Wilson, Ballard and of course Miss Birdsong so dont mistake replacement with original. the blood sweat and tears came from the real deal.
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Comment #20
(Posted by john bohovich jr.)
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supreme faith,the second autobiography by mary wilson lists all musicians and back up singers for mary wilson including debbie sharp,karen jackson,kaaren ragland,gloria scott,debbie crofton,robin alexander,silvia coxe,anna beaumont,elizabeth fields,linda levine,damia satterfield and the incredible rhonda trodd who wrote and starred in a remarkable musical titled supreme dream.all of these ladies were illustrious background singers and should identify themselves as such in the description of their acts.
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Comment #21
(Posted by john bohovich jr.)
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when the supremes recorded their farewell performance,june 12,1977,they announced that mary wilson was going solo.her solo shows were titled mary wilson of the supremes or the supremes'mary wilson.the final album by the supremes released in 1976 was titled "mary,scherrie and susaye".these vivacious ladies were the final recording members of the classic group which has their place in history 1959-1961 as the primettes,1961-1977 as the supremes.
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Comment #22
(Posted by john bohovich jr.)
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for the record,mary wilson recorded the single red hot which was included on her first solo album on motown records,following her farewell performance with the supremes.the radiant singer has continued to record solo since the group disbanded and has never reformed a new group of supremes.eight is enough.enough is enough.
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Comment #23
(Posted by an unknown user)
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I've always love the original supremes as they were in the 1960s and supremes today. Nomatter how much drama they were going through then and nomatter what the public says about diana ross. These three women were superstars. Nothing and no one can change that.
As for Ms Ross, she was a woman who had a strong vision of her future and took advantage in the opportunity which she had every right to take. People can view things in many ways, but only the three women really knew how far they wanted to go. That is plain and simple.
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Comment #24
(Posted by tmsine)
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It amazes me to hear people say that they don't like Diana Ross and that she is arrogant or self centered, etc., but they never say what Diana has done to make them come to that conclusion. They have the right not to like somebody that they don't know, but to make all of the allegations about her is kind of crazy. The fact that she was chosen by Berry Gordy to be the lead singer of the Supremes, and the fact that she was very ambitious and gave it her all to fullfill her role as the lead singer, doesn't make a person arrogant or self centered, if that's what they are talking about. Evidently, Berry Gordy was correct in choosing her as the lead singer, and without a doubt, she had what it took, because she was the main reason that the Supremes achieved super stardom. And she continued her super stardom status even when she went solo. It was Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard that were jealous that they were never able to achieve the super stardom status like Diana did. Mary and Florence were never able to launch a successful solo career like Diana did, and they always held resentment against Diana for that. It is certaintly not Diana's fault that apparently they didn't have what it took to remain at the top after the Supremes broke up like Diana did.
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