Music fans had to deal with their share of heartbreaking band breakups as the ’60s turned into the ’70s. Although The Supremes technically didn’t break up, they did lose their lead singer and most well-known member when Diana Ross officially entered into a solo career in early 1970.
Why did Diana Ross decide to leave the group which had made her famous? What did Motown Records head Berry Gordy have to do with the decision? And how did the other group members feel about Ross’ departure? Let’s look back at the end of an era for the most successful group from the most successful label of the ’60s.
The Rise of The Supremes and a Superstar Lead Singer
The Supremes, who joined Motown as the Primettes when they were still teenagers in 1961 and were rechristened by Berry Gordy, took a while to find their artistic footing. For a stretch in their early recording years, they were derisively known at the label as the “No-Hit Supremes” because of their lack of artistic success.
That all changed when they released the single “Where Did Our Love Go” in 1964. Not only did it shoot to No. 1 on the pop charts, but it also started a run of five straight chart-toppers. And it also changed the hierarchy within the group.
Although the three members of the group (Diana Ross, Florence Ballad, and Mary Wilson) took turns singing lead to that point, when Ross sang lead on “Where Did Our Love Go,” it set her up to do so on subsequent Supremes singles. And as each of those songs rose to the heights, so too did Ross’ exposure in comparison to the other two girls singing with her.
Romance, Jealousy, and a Planned Departure
As The Supremes’ enjoyed an unprecedented run of success as the ’60s progressed, relations within the group deteriorated. Personal problems led to the departure of Florence Ballard, who was replaced by Cindy Birdsong. Meanwhile, Mary Wilson began to resent both Ross’ behavior and how the lead singer was treated by Motown, and specifically Gordy, compared to her.
That Gordy fell in love with Ross certainly exacerbated the situation. Wilson also claimed in interviews throughout the years that Ross tried to hog the spotlight, while Ross has countered the other girls in the group attempted to undermine her. In any case, as the ’60s neared its end, it became clear something needed to change for the band that was now officially known as Diana Ross & The Supremes.
In 1969, Motown announced Ross would be leaving The Supremes to pursue a solo career, which would also branch out into the acting world. The Supremes would continue, with new member Jean Terrell coming aboard to take Ross’ place.
Farewell Songs
The 1969 song “Somebody We’ll Be Together” was initially intended as Ross’ first solo single. Gordy pivoted at the last minute and credited it to The Supremes, because he knew the song was a hit and he wanted that version of the group to go out on top. He was right. The song, which didn’t feature any contributions from Birdsong or Wilson, soared to No. 1, the group’s 12th chart-topper.
To put a bow on the situation, Ross appeared in her final show with The Supremes in January 1970 in Las Vegas, where she introduced Terrell as her replacement. That performance would become the album Farewell, officially ending Ross’ tenure in the group. The Supremes would churn out a few early ’70s hits without Ross (although no more No. 1s.)
Ross’ solo career took off almost immediately, even as her personal relationship with Gordy soured. An attempted 2000 tour intended to reunite Ross with Birdsong and Wilson (who passed away in 2021) fell apart over money issues, with Ross eventually performing a few shows with later Supremes members who had never originally been in the group with her. With that, the story of this legendary group, whose commercial winning streak was matched only by the turmoil roiling underneath the hits, came to an anticlimactic end.
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Photo by Cyrus Andrews/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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