The Supremes Trivia

1. Sure, everyone knows Diana Ross is the most famous member of The Supremes, but can you name the other two original members?

From Quiz The Supremes

Answer: Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson

Although all of these ladies were in some incarnation of the group, it was Ross, Ballard and Wilson who were the original Supremes. Florence Ballard originally formed the group as a quartet named The Primettes, a backing group for the singing group The Primes (who later became The Temptations). After a series of roster changes and unsuccessful recordings on other labels, The Supremes were signed by Berry Gordy to the Motown label as a trio. Ballard named the group The Supremes at the suggestion of Mr. Gordy to come up with a better name than The Primettes.

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: The Supremes

Answer: The Primettes

The Primettes were actually a quartet who sang with a group called The Primes. The Primes were an early group that featured Eddie Kendrick who eventually went on to star with The Temptations. The Supremes changed their name when they moved to Motown and dropped their fourth member.

From Quiz The Supremes

Answer: I Want a Guy

The first eight singles released by The Supremes were considered duds by folks at Motown and the group was being pressured by the record company brass to produce some hit singles. Things were looking bleak for the girls until they started working on some songs written by the established hit makers Holland/Dozier/Holland. Tamla was the name Gordy established Motown with before Motown became an incorporated business. Tamla was established in January of 1959 with the loan of $800 from family. Motown incorporated in April of 1960 and became the empire it is today. Who says it's a bad idea to lend family money?

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: The Supremes

Answer: Florence Ballard

Florence was the oldest, born on June 30, 1943. Mary was the "middle child" of the group. Her birthday was March 6, 1944. Finally, Diana, who ended up becoming the biggest star, was youngest; her birthday was 20 days after Mary's.

From Quiz The Supremes

Answer: Where Did Our Love Go

August 22, 1964 was a wonderful day for the lovely ladies in The Supremes. That day they held the number one positions in the US on the Pop and R&B charts. They could no longer be called the "no-hit Supremes" any longer. This song was originally written for The Marvelettes, but they passed on it, much to the delight of The Supremes.

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: The Supremes

Answer: Where Did Our Love Go

All of these songs were part of that miraculous run. The one missing, and the last number one released was titled "Back in My Arms Again". The run started on August 22, 1964 and ran through June 12, 1965. The Beatles are the only other act to chart five consecutive number ones in the history of tracking chart rankings.

From Quiz The Supremes

Answer: Baby Love

This song became The Supremes second number one hit in the US on the Pop and R&B charts, but it also hit number one in the UK, a first for an all-girl group. The Supremes have the distinction of being the very first American group to have had three number one songs from the same album on the US Pop charts ("Come See About Me", "Baby Love" and "Where Did Our Love Go").

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: The Supremes

Answer: Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland

When the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland moved to 2648 West Grand Blvd., to Hitsville U.S.A., they created an immediate formula for success where songwriting was concerned. The guys teamed up to write some of the best of The Supremes hits including: "Baby Love", "Come See About Me" and "I Hear a Symphony".

From Quiz The Supremes

Answer: 10

The Supremes had a total of 12 number one singles on the US Pop charts, although two of these were released when the group was known as Diana Ross and The Supremes. Of the ten hits recorded as The Supremes, all number ones were written by Holland/Dozier/Holland. These included: "Where Did Our Love Go" (1964) "Baby Love" (1964) "Come See About Me" (1964) "Stop! In the Name of Love" (1965) "Back in My Arms Again" (1965) "I Hear a Symphony" (1965) "You Can't Hurry Love" (1966) "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (1966) "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" (1967) "The Happening" (1967) The Supremes also are the only US band to release five number one hits in a row, although on two separate albums. After great success and popularity, the Holland/Dozier/Holland team left Motown over disputes with Berry Gordy. They went on to form Hot Wax and Invictus Records, two labels that did not yield the same successes as the team realized at Motown.

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: The Supremes

Answer: Lupine Records

When The Supremes recorded for Lupine Records, they were a quartet. In addition to Ballard, Ross and Wilson, the fourth member was named Barbara Martin. Martin eventually left the group to pursue a solo career. The act recorded on Lupine in 1960 before joining up with Motown in 1961.

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: The Supremes

Answer: Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles

Patti LaBelle and Birdsong were friends when they teamed up to form The Ordettes in 1960. When they added Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, they became The Bluebelles. After Ballard's departure from The Supremes, Birdsong jumped at the chance to land the coveted gig with The Supremes. Ballard's is one of the more tragic stories involving any of the girl groups of the 1960s. She died penniless and on welfare in 1976.

From Quiz The Supremes

Answer: Someday We'll Be Together

Not only was the song on the US Billboard Pop Singles chart at the close of the 1960s, it was also on the US Billboard R&B charts to start the 1970s; so, the song was there to close out one decade and to ring in another. The song was billed as Diana Ross and The Supremes although only Ross was the only member of the group to sing on the recording. Maxine Waters and Julia Waters were her backing singers for this song. This would be the last song Ross ever performed with the group, and she did it twice, once during her final performance at the Frontier, and then again on the Motown 25th Anniversary special.

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: The Supremes

Answer: Jean Terrell

Although all of these ladies were with The Supremes after Diana Ross left, it was Jean Terrell that Berry Gordy Jr. picked to replace Ross after she departed for solo superstardom. Gordy had watched Terrell perform in Miami and signed her to his label, eventually deciding she would be the one to replace Diana Ross.

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: The Supremes

Answer: Las Vegas

The final performance to feature Diana Ross with The Supremes was held at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas on January 14, 1970.

From Quiz Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: The Supremes

Answer: Dreamgirls

"Dreamgirls" was a successful Broadway production which was made into a feature length film. The story received mixed reviews from various members of The Supremes. Mary Wilson was a huge fan of the musical while Diana Ross refuses to even acknowledge it. The movie version starred Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Beyonce Knowles and Danny Glover.

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