HOME > Names of the Original Supremes
Introduction
The Supremes were a girl group that formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1959. They were signed to Motown Records and went on to become one of the most successful groups of all time, with a string of hits in the 1960s. The original members of the group were Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard. This article will explore the names and backgrounds of these three women.
Diana Ross
Diana Ross was born in Detroit in 1944. She grew up in a housing project and began singing in a group called The Primettes when she was a teenager. The Primettes eventually became The Supremes, and Ross was the lead singer of the group. She was known for her powerful voice and her glamorous stage presence. Ross left The Supremes in 1970 to pursue a solo career, and went on to have a successful career as a singer and actress.
Mary Wilson
Mary Wilson was born in Greenville, Mississippi in 1944. Her family moved to Detroit when she was a child. Wilson met Ross and Ballard when they were all teenagers, and they formed The Primettes together. Wilson was a backing vocalist for The Supremes, and also played an important role in the group's choreography and stage presence. She remained with The Supremes until the group disbanded in 1977. Wilson has also had a successful career as a solo artist and author.
Florence Ballard
Florence Ballard was born in Detroit in 1943. She grew up in poverty and began singing in church when she was a child. Ballard was a founding member of The Primettes, and was known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. However, she struggled with personal problems and was eventually fired from The Supremes in 1967. Ballard went on to have a solo career, but struggled to achieve the same level of success as she had with The Supremes. She died in 1976 at the age of 32.
Conclusion
The Supremes were one of the most successful girl groups of all time, and their music continues to be popular today. The original members of the group - Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard - all had unique backgrounds and talents that contributed to the group's success. While the group faced challenges and changes over the years, their legacy as pioneers of Motown and icons of music history remains strong.
