Stop! In The Name of Love
We had dared to dream at a time where it was really impossible to dream- (Wilson, no date)
But the impossible became The Supremes, the most successful female group of the 1960's with 12 number 1 pop singles, numerous gold records, regular TV appearances and sold out concerts. Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard rivalled the Beatles in popularity.
They were poor teenagers living in a housing project where they first met in their hometown of Detroit.
The 'Supremes' started out as the 'Primettes' which was a group made up of 4 woman. Diana ross, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and Betty MGlowen , they travelled around Detroit doing record hops, they ended up getting an audition at Motown with Mr Gordy. Barry Gordy Junior created Motown in 1959, it was the first record label owned by an African American and the sound was the style of R&B fused with a pop influence, But unfortunately he turned them down. Everyday the would go down to Motown until eventually they signed them. Barry Gordy Junior ran Motown like a movie studio, artists were taught to dance, to sing harmony and to talk to the media, it was like a finishing school for talent and the young woman embraced it and each other. By 1962 the Primettes had become The Supremes and two years later they had their first number one song 'Where Did Our Love Go. Between 1964 and 1965 the Supremes continued their hot streak and chocked up for more consecutive hits including Baby Love, Come See About Me, Back In My Arms Again and Stop! In The Name Of Love. The Supremes where among the first African American acts to cross the colour barrier with audiences. The Supremes - Mini Bio A short biography of The Supremes.
The Supremes were a big deal in the 60's as civil rights were just coming into place. Having an african-american girl group would have been outrageous before 50's but was now socially acceptable due to more rights happening around the world.
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