The "Supremes" : a saga of Motown dreams, success, and betrayal

\*The Supremes\* is a sprawling tale of unforgettable music, cutthroat ambition, and heartbreaking betrayal. Mark Ribowsky explodes \*Dreamgirl\* fantasies by taking the reader behind the closed doors of Motown to witness the rise of group leader Diana Ross, the creation of timeless classics like “Where Did Our Love Go?,” and the dramatic power struggles within Detroit’s fabled music factory. Drawing on firsthand, intimate recollections from knowledgeable sources such as the Temptations’s Otis Williams and other Motown contemporaries—many never before interviewed—\*The Supremes\* is “a comprehensive look at the tumultuous relationships within the Supremes as well as among others at the Motown label” (\*Library Journal\*).

the Acclaimed, First Comprehensive Biography Of The Most Successful Female Vocal Group Of All Time

the Barnes & Noble Review

the Lifespan Of The Supremes Strangely Parallels That Of Their Chief Commercial Competitors Of The '60s, The Beatles. In Their Classic Configuration With Lead Singer Diana Ross And Support Vocalists Mary Wilson And Florence Ballard, The Hit-making Trio Lasted Only A Handful Of Years --1962 To 1969 -- Virtually Shadowing The Beatles' Own Brief, Brilliant Existence. Yet While The British Legends Maintain A Virtually Pristine Legacy, The Supremes' Tale Is Mired In Ugly Accounts Of Collective Sordid Behavior; Ross's Rampaging Ego And Gift For Backstabbing; And, In The Pathetic Case Of Ballard, Early, Ignominious Death. In Other Words, Perfect Fodder For Any Intrepid Biographer Willing To Delve Into The Murky Waters Of Motown History. For Unlike The Multi-talented Beatles, The Supremes Were Far From A Self-contained Unit Seemingly Predestined For Success No Matter Whom They Eventually Aligned Themselves With. Without The Motown Machine Behind Them -- In Particular, Holland-dozier-holland's Expertly Crafted Songs And Production -- And The Monolithic Guiding Hand (make That Fist) Of Company Founder And Mogul Berry Gordy, The Triumph Of The Group Is Practically Inconceivable. In Workmanlike Prose That Gets The Dirty Job Done, Ribowsky Minutely Chronicles The Incestuous Bedding And Vicious Infighting That Went On Between Motown Acts, As Well As The Shifty Business Machinations That Allowed Gordy To Flagrantly Screw His Artistic Family. If The Author Never Attempts To Make A Truly Compelling Case For Ross's Unique Vocal Prowess, He Does Display A Genuine Affection For The Motown Sound And Its Workings, Acknowledging The Indispensible Contributions Of The Label's Studio Musicians, -- Particularly The Influential Bassist James Jamerson -- And Those Of Brian And Eddie Holland And Lamont Dozier. Thanks To These Inspired Collaborators, The Mini-masterpieces Of The Supremes' Heyday Have Yet To Lose Their Luster, But, As Ribowsky Rams Home, They Came At Quite A Cost. --steve Futterman

Drawing on first-hand recollections by friends, associates, and other Motown contemporaries, the author tells the heartbreaking story of the Supremes' meteoric rise and bitter disintegration, and also shows why Gordy's revolutionary concept of 'blacks singing white' was essential to the modern evolution of music. This is the first comprehensive biography of the most successful girl group in pop history, as told by the author of the acclaimed biography of Phil Spector, "He's a Rebel".A sprawling parable of ambition, scheming, money, sex, and betrayal, "Nothin' But Heartaches", is the definitive story of the most successful female band of all time. Drawing on first-hand, intimate recollections by friends, associates, and other Motown contemporaries - many never before interviewed - Ribowsky uncovers the truth behind the Supremes, overturning false notions about the band which were perpetuated by the recent film "Dreamgirls". Ribowsky's in-depth account includes new details on Diana Ross' cutthroat rise to top-billing of the group - focusing on her relationship with Motown president, Berry Gordy - and the tragic story of Florence Ballard's decline into depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse, culminating in her sudden death at the age of thirty-two. He also takes an inside-the-studio look at how timeless classics like "Baby Love", "Where Did Our Love Go?", and "Stop! In the Name of Love", were conceived and recorded on the Motown 'assembly line' of smash hits, and examines why the Motown 'brand' was more important to Gordy than its loyalty to true rhythm & blues. In a narrative that deftly combines personal testimony, history, and expert analysis, Ribowsky not only tells the full, heartbreaking story of the Supremes' meteoric rise and bitter disintegration, but shows why Gordy's revolutionary concept of 'blacks singing white' was essential to the modern evolution of music Drawing on intimate recollections from friends, family, and Motown contemporaries, Mark Ribowsky charts the Supremes meteoric rise and bitter disintegration. He sheds light on Diana Rosss relationship with Berry Gordy and her cutthroat rise to top billing in the group, as well as Florence Ballards corresponding decline. He also takes us inside the studio, examining how timeless classics were conceived and recorded on the Motown assembly line, and considers the place of Motown in an era of cultural upheaval, when not being black enough became a fierce denunciation within the black music industry.Deftly combining personal testimony, history, and expert analysis, Ribowsky not only tells the full, heartbreaking story of the Supremes, but shows why Gordys revolutionary concept of blacks singing white was essential to the modern evolution of music. Annotation The Supremes is a sprawling tale of unforgettable music, cutthroat ambition, and heartbreaking betrayal. Mark Ribowsky explodes Dreamgirl fantasies by taking the reader behind the closed doors of Motown to witness the rise of group leader Diana Ross, the creation of timeless classics like Where Did Our Love Go?," and the dramatic power struggles within Detroit's fabled music factory. Drawing on firsthand, intimate recollections from knowledgeable sources such as the Temptations's Otis Williams and other Motown contemporariesmany never before interviewed The Supremes is a comprehensive look at the tumultuous relationships within the Supremes as well as among others at the Motown label" ( Library Journal ) From the Publisher: The Supremes is a sprawling tale of unforgettable music, cutthroat ambition, and heartbreaking betrayal. Mark Ribowsky explodes Dreamgirl fantasies by taking the reader behind the closed doors of Motown to witness the rise of group leader Diana Ross, the creation of timeless classics like "Where Did Our Love Go?," and the dramatic power struggles within Detroit's fabled music factory. Drawing on firsthand, intimate recollections from knowledgeable sources such as the Temptations's Otis Williams and other Motown contemporaries-many never before interviewed-The Supremes is "a comprehensive look at the tumultuous relationships within the Supremes as well as among others at the Motown label." "One updated Spector biography well worth buying ... The author's balanced writing here deserves an award for journalism ... Unbeatable." Record Collector." In a sprawling parable of ambition, sex, and betrayal, "The Supremes" delivers the definitive story of the most successful female vocal group of all time