Supremes, The

Family Tree (1960 - 1977) of The Supremes and Diana Ross & The Supremes
Diana Ross (1960 - 1970)
Mary Wilson (1960 - 1977)
Florence Ballard (1960 - 1967)
Betty Travis (1960)
Barbara Martin (1960 - 1962)
Cindy Birdsong (1967 - 1972, 1974 - 1976)
Jean Terrell (1970 - 1973)
Lynda Laurence (1972 - 1973)
Scherrie Payne (1974 - 1977)
Susaye Greene (1976 - 1977)

Hugely successful female vocal group, formed in 1961 as The Primettes. Their best-known and most stable line-up was Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson, in which configuration they became Motown's top act of the 1960s, though of that line-up only Wilson remained in the group by the time of the 70s disco incarnation represented here.

The Supremes changed name in early 1967 to Diana Ross & The Supremes. Motown president Berry Gordy stated that the name change was done so that Motown could demand more money from live bookings, but rumours began to spread of an approaching Diana Ross solo career.

At that time member Florence Ballard had begun drinking and occasionally missing performance and, by June 1967, was replaced by Cindy Birdsong, a member of Patti LaBelle & The Blue Belles. Florence Ballard was, in other words, a member of Diana Ross & The Supremes for a very short amount of time.

In January 1970, Diana Ross & The Supremes gave their final performance and Ross began her solo career. Jean Terrell replaced Diana as the lead singer and thereby renaming the group back to The Supremes.

Inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 (Performer).