The glamorous ladies of Motown.
The Supremes lived up to their superlative name, but it took a while. A long while. The trio managed to score an audition for Berry Gordy in 1960 while still in high school, but he gently told them they weren’t ready. They recorded a single for another label and Gordy was right, they weren’t ready.
The girls went back to Motown and wouldn’t give up, hanging around in the office every day, offering to provide handclaps and backing vocals for other artists, doing whatever they could to stick around and get another chance. Gordy finally relented and gave The Supremes that chance, only to see them release one flop single after another for three years.
He must have seen something in the group, though, even if by this time the other acts referred to them as the “No-Hit Supremes.” Which is why the ladies were in no position to turn down the offer of a song which The Marvelettes had already rejected. Despite their reservations, “Where Did Our Love Go” promptly found itself at #1, the first of twelve #1 hits, with two others just missing the top spot. The Supremes became the most successful American recording artists of the 1960’s, coinciding almost exactly with The Beatles’ timeline and yet, unlike many other artists, thriving in the face of the British Invasion.
Tension and jealousy appeared right after their first flush of success, but the trio worked through it for years until finally they couldn’t. As the lead vocalist, Diana Ross proved too big a star in her own right and left to go solo in the 70’s. The Supremes continued on with a few more hits, but the magic was gone.
But you can find the magic back in your arms again. Before you break my heart, here’s the least you need to know:
The Definitive Collection The perfect distillation of what made The Supremes supreme. A musical journey from 1964 to 1969, embracing the new styles and reflecting the changing times more than any other Motown act other than The Temptations. Gold is also a fine compilation (and the only greatest hits comp on Spotify) but at well over twice the length, and containing too many minor hits for a rookie, it’s more than least you need to know. Master the basics, then go for the Gold.
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Not exactly sure what it is about the Supremes that I don’t like. Maybe they were a little too glittery and choreographed or they benefited from their impactful relationship with Berry Gordy or maybe I just like to root for the underdog, girl groups like the Marvelettes and the Shirelles. There were some intense rivalries going on back then and it’s never a fair fight when you have an “in” with the man in charge. Just saying.
Excellent and insightful post as always, Houston. Thanks!
Thank you, Nancy! Honestly, I prefer The Marvelettes, too, when it comes down to it. Their songs were a little more unusual. Now, I really like the songs of The Supremes, particularly “Reflections,” but it’s more admiration for the craft of pop singing and songwriting rather than a strong connection.
I hear ya, Houston! Thanks for that nod to the Marvelettes; I thought they were supreme!
These songs take me back to a day in the late ’80s. I was at my mom’s best friend’s house, playing with her daughter and listening to “Stop! In the Name of Love” — and “Leader of the Pack” by The Shangri-Las. I don’t think I’ll ever hear those songs without thinking of that.
Interesting that The Supremes’ timeline parallels The Beatles’.
I absolutely love it when a song can take me back to a specific day and event. Magic!