Ballard, Florence (1943–1976)
Ballard, Florence (1943–1976)
African-American singer. Name variations: The Supremes. Born June 30, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan; died in 1976; dau. of Lurlee Ballard; m. Tommy Chapman (sep. 1973).
With Mary Wilson, organized a singing group called "The Primettes" (1959); joined by Diana Ross, recorded 1st song for Motown (1964), under name "The Supremes"; with group, saw recording of "Where Did Our Love Go" reach Billboard's Top 100, had 7 #1 hits, and was rarely out of the Top 10 (1965–69) with such songs as "Your Heart Belongs to Me" (1964), "Baby Love" (1964), "Come See about Me" (1964), "Stop! In the Name of Love" (1965), "Back in My Arms Again" (1965), "Nothing But Heartaches" (1965), "I Hear a Symphony" (1965), "My World Is Empty Without You" (1966), "You Can't Hurry Love" (1966), "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (1966), "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" (1967), "Love Child" (1968) and "Someday We'll Be Together" (1969); left the group when its name was changed to "Diana Ross and The Supremes" (1967). Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1988).
See also (play) Dreamgirls, loosely based on The Supremes (1981); and Women in World History.