Collection

Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard began their singing careers in 1959 as part of the girl group known as The Primettes. By 1961, Ross, Wilson, and Ballard were signed to the iconic Motown Records of Detroit as The Supremes. There they would become Motown’s most commercially successful girl group. While the first few years did not produce hits for them, chart success came when the songwriting trio Holland-Dozier-Holland began writing music for The Supremes. With hits like “Baby Love,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “Back In My Arms Again,” “Reflections,” and “Love Child,” The Supremes’ voices singing the words of Holland-Dozier-Holland defined the “Sound of Young America” that Motown founder Barry Gordy Jr. had always envisioned for his company. Despite lineup changes and a renaming to Diana Ross and The Supremes, the group maintained an elegant appearance with matching outfits, stylized choreography, and a polished sound in their vocals. Competing at the top of the charts with the Beatles, earning a record 12 number-one singles on the Billboard Charts, and appearing more times on The Ed Sullivan Show than any other act, The Supremes were the epitome of star power! 

In this collection, there are resources for introducing learners to the women and men who defined the sounds of The Supremes. The Supremes PowerPoint provides a brief history of the group and their success. Use the Motown Sound video to help listeners identify the iconic musical traits of Motown productions. Listen to the Supremes Playlist which highlights the songs that pushed The Supremes to the top of the charts. Watch the Girl Groups and Their Writers video to learn more about the relationship between girl groups of the 1950s and 60s and the people who wrote their hits.