The Supremes co-founder Mary Wilson dies aged 76

 

FILE PHOTO: Singer Mary Wilson, a founding member of the Motown female singing group The Supremes, arrives as a guest at the premiere of the new film "Sparkle" starring Jordin Sparks and the late Whitney Houston in Hollywood August 16, 2012. REUTERS/Fred Prouser/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Mary Wilson, a founding member of The Supremes, has died at the age of 76, her publicist has said.

 

Wilson died suddenly at her home in Henderson, Nevada, on Monday. A statement confirming her passing did not state a cause of death.

 

Wilson, a singer as well as best-selling author, helped form female singing group The Primettes in Detroit in 1959, alongside Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Betty McGlown. The latter left the group and was replaced. Wilson, Ross and Ballard went on to enjoy huge success as trio The Supremes.

 

Under the Motown Records label, the group scored 12 no. 1 hits with songs like "Baby Love" and "Stop! In the Name of Love", and still remains influential decades later.

 

Wilson stayed on with The Supremes even after other original members left and new ones joined the line-up. The group split in 1977 and she pursued a solo career.

 

"The Supremes were always known as the 'sweethearts of Motown'," Motown founder Berry Gordy said in a statement.

 

"I was always proud of Mary. She was quite a star in her own right and over the years continued to work hard to boost the legacy of the Supremes ... She was a trailblazer, a diva and will be deeply missed."

 

The Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. The 2006 film "Dreamgirls", starring Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson, was loosely based on their story.

 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a funeral service for Wilson will be private, the statement said. A celebration of her life is expected later in the year.

 

(Reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-02-10

 

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 Video allows you to appreciate and see how much the backing vocals contributed to the Supremes' sound. RIP.

 

 

 

Saw her perform many years ago, what a voice! RIP

I saw their second to last concert with Diana Ross in Boston (1970). It is now their 61st anniversary as a group but looks like no reunion with Mary gone.  Very sad...they were great. 

gone with the wind!  my favorite hit wih the supremes was was : sunny boy!

Another really good example of their exquisite backup vocals:

 

I went to see them live obviously a long time ago in Manchester they where garbage live, the support bands were better.

A band that was unknown at that time were on the same bill "Boney M"

I thought there was better Girl bands around in the 60's a few of them played live in the soul clubs in Manchester especially the "Twisted Wheel"

 

 

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

I went to see them live obviously a long time ago in Manchester they where garbage live, the support bands were better.

A band that was unknown at that time were on the same bill "Boney M"

I thought there was better Girl bands around in the 60's a few of them played live in the soul clubs in Manchester especially the "Twisted Wheel"

 

 

Doesn't sound like you're a Supremes fan.    To each his own.

There's an iconic group.  RIP Mary Wilson. 

 

Isolated vocals on this video will bring tears to your eyes:

 

Loved to listen to their music. RIP Mary Wilson

great vintage photos on this video: