The Supremes were an American singing group from Detroit, Michigan, who recorded for Motown Records as their premier act. The original lineup included Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard. This is a chronology overview of the Supremes history.

Contents
1930s · 1940s · 1950s · 1960 · 1961 · 1962 · 1963 · 1964 · 1965 · 1966 · 1967 · 1968 · 1969 · 1970s · 1980s · 1990s · 2000s · 2010s · 2020s
See also · References

Legend

Type codes
T Event type
G Changes to group lineup/name
L Life events including births, deaths, weddings, and divorces
PA Performance: audition
PC Performance: concert
PR Performance: radio broadcast
PT Performance: TV broadcast
RA Release: album
RE Release: EP
RF Release: film or video
RS Release: single
M Music
MR Music for radio
V Video (film, TV)
O Other events
Location codes
Event location L
Germany GER
Italy ITA
Japan JAP
United Kingdom UK
United States US
Other O

1930s

Date T Event L
15 Dec 1939 L Cindy Birdsong is born in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey. US

1940s

Date T Event L
30 Jun 1941 L Betty McGlown is born in Detroit, Michigan. US
16 Jun 1943 L Barbara Martin is born in Detroit. US
30 Jun 1943 L Florence Ballard is born in Detroit. US
06 Mar 1944 L Mary Wilson is born in Greenville, Mississippi. US
26 Mar 1944 L Diana Ross is born in Detroit. US
04 Nov 1944 L Scherrie Payne is born in Detroit. US
26 Nov 1944 L Jean Terrell is born in Belzoni, Mississippi. US
20 Feb 1949 L Lynda Laurence (née Tucker) is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. US
13 Sep 1949 L Susaye Greene is born in Houston, Texas. US

1950s

Date T Event L
1959 G The Primettes form in Detroit. The lineup includes Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross and Betty McGlown. US

1960

Date T Event L
Aug 1960 RS "Tears of Sorrow" / "Pretty Baby" released by The Primettes on Lu Pine Records.[1] US
1960 G Betty McGlown is replaced by Barbara Martin. US

1961

Date T Event L
01 Jan 1961 G The Primettes are signed by Motown Records, and change their name to The Supremes. US
15 Jan 1961 G The Supremes sign to Motown. US
09 Mar 1961 RS "I Want a Guy" / "Never Again" released.[1] US
21 Jul 1961 RS "Buttered Popcorn" / "Who's Lovin' You" released.[1] US

1962

Date T Event L
1962 G Barbara Martin leaves the group, who continue on as a trio. US
08 May 1962 RS "Your Heart Belongs to Me" / "(He's) Seventeen" released.[2] US
05 Nov 1962 RS "Let Me Go the Right Way" / "Time Changes Things" released.[2][3] US
09 Dec 1962 RA Meet The Supremes released.[4] US

1963

Date T Event L
02 Feb 1963 RS "My Heart Can't Take It No More" / "You Bring Back Memories" released.[2] US
12 Jun 1963 RS "A Breath Taking Guy" / "(The Man with the) Rock and Roll Banjo Band" released.[2] US
31 Oct 1963 RS "When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes" / "Standing at the Crossroads of Love" released.[2][3] US
Dec 1963 RA The Supremes Sing Ballads & Blues planned release cancelled. US

1964

Date T Event L
07 Feb 1964 RS "Run, Run, Run" / "I'm Giving You Your Freedom" released.[2][3] US
17 Jun 1964 RS "Where Did Our Love Go" / "He Means the World to Me" released.[2][3][4] US
31 Aug 1964 RA Where Did Our Love Go released.[5][6] US
17 Sep 1964 RS "Baby Love" / "Ask Any Girl" released.[2][3][4] US
16 Oct 1964 RA A Bit of Liverpool released.[5][6] US
27 Oct 1964 RS "Come See About Me" / "(You're Gone, But) Always in My Heart" released.[2][3][4] US

1965

Date T Event L
08 Feb 1965 RS "Stop! In the Name of Love" / "I'm in Love Again" released.[2][3][4] US
22 Feb 1965 RA The Supremes Sing Country, Western and Pop released.[5] US
Mar 1965 RA Live! Live! Live! planned release cancelled. US
12 Apr 1965 RA We Remember Sam Cooke released.[5][6] US
15 Apr 1965 RS "Back in My Arms Again" / "Whisper You Love Me Boy" released.[2][3][4] US
May 1965 RS "Moonlight and Kisses" / "Baby, Baby, Wo Ist Unsere Liebe" ("Where Did Our Love Go") released. GER
Jun 1965 RS "The Only Time I'm Happy" / Supremes Interview - promotional disc released. US
16 Jul 1965 RS "Mother Dear" / "He Holds His Own" planned release cancelled. US
16 Jul 1965 RS "Nothing but Heartaches" / "He Holds His Own" released.[2][3] US
23 Jul 1965 RA More Hits by The Supremes released.[5][6] US
13 Aug 1965 MR "Things Are Changing" / "Things Are Changing" radio promotional single released. US
Sep 1965 RA There's a Place for Us planned release cancelled. US
06 Oct 1965 RS "Mother Dear" / "Who Could Ever Doubt My Love" planned release cancelled. US
06 Oct 1965 RS "I Hear a Symphony" / "Who Could Ever Doubt My Love" released.[2][3][4] US
Oct 1965 RS "Thank You Darling, Thank You Baby" / "Jonny und Joe" ("Come See About Me") released. GER
Oct 1965 RA Around the World with The Supremes planned release cancelled. US
01 Nov 1965 RA The Supremes at the Copa released.[5][6] US
01 Nov 1965 RA Merry Christmas released. US
18 Nov 1965 RS "Children's Christmas Song" / "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Me" released. US
Dec 1965 RA A Tribute to the Girls planned release cancelled. US
29 Dec 1965 RS "My World Is Empty Without You" / "Everything Is Good About You" released.[2][3] US

1966

Date T Event L
18 Feb 1966 RA I Hear a Symphony released.[5][6] US
08 Apr 1966 RS "Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart" / "He's All I Got" released.[2][3] US
May 1966 RA Pure Gold planned release cancelled. US
25 Jul 1966 RS "You Can't Hurry Love" / "Put Yourself in My Place" released.[2][3][4] US
25 Aug 1966 RA The Supremes A' Go-Go released.[4][5][6] US
12 Oct 1966 RS "You Keep Me Hangin' On" / "Mother You, Smother You" planned release cancelled. US
12 Oct 1966 RS "You Keep Me Hangin' On" / "Remove This Doubt" released.[2][3][4] US

1967

Date T Event L
11 Jan 1967 RS "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" / "There's No Stopping Us Now" released.[2][3][4] US
23 Jan 1967 RA The Supremes Sing Holland–Dozier–Holland released.[4][5][6] US
20 Mar 1967 RS "The Happening" / "All I Know About You" released.[2][3][4] US
03 Apr 1967 RS "L'Amore Verra'" ("You Can't Hurry Love") / "Se Il Filo Spezzerai" ("You Keep Me Hangin' On") released. (Italy) ITA
Apr 1967 RA The Supremes and the Motown Sound: From Broadway to Hollywood planned release cancelled. US
22 May 1967 RA The Supremes Sing Rodgers & Hart released.[4][5][6] US
28 Jun 1967 G The Supremes are renamed Diana Ross & the Supremes. US
01 Jul 1967 G Florence Ballard is dismissed from The Supremes and replaced by Cindy Birdsong. US
24 Jul 1967 RS "Reflections" / "Going Down for the Third Time" released.[2][3][4] US
29 Aug 1967 RA Greatest Hits released.[4][5][6] US
25 Oct 1967 RS "In and Out of Love" / "I Guess I'll Always Love You" released.[2][3][4] US
Dec 1967 RA Diana Ross & the Supremes Sing Disney Classics planned release cancelled. US

1968

Date T Event L
29 Feb 1968 RS "Forever Came Today" / "Time Changes Things" released.[2][3][4] US
25 Mar 1968 RA Reflections released.[4][5][6] US
Apr 1968 RS "What the World Needs Now Is Love" / "Your Kiss of Fire" planned release cancelled. US
21 May 1968 RS "Some Things You Never Get Used To" / "You've Been So Wonderful to Me" released.[2][3][4] US
26 Aug 1968 RA Live at London's Talk of the Town released.[4][5][6] US
26 Aug 1968 RA Diana Ross & the Supremes Sing and Perform "Funny Girl" released.[5] US
30 Sep 1968 RS "Love Child" / "Will This Be the Day" released.[2][3][4] US
08 Nov 1968 RA Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations released.[4][5][6] US
13 Nov 1968 RA Love Child released.[4][5][6] US
21 Nov 1968 RS "The Impossible Dream" / "A Place in the Sun" planned release cancelled. US
21 Nov 1968 RS "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" / "A Place in the Sun" released.[2][3][4] US
02 Dec 1968 PT TCB appearance.[4][5][6] US

1969

Date T Event L
06 Jan 1969 RS "I'm Livin' in Shame" / "I'm So Glad I Got Somebody (Like You Around)" released.[2][3][4] US
20 Feb 1969 RS "I'll Try Something New" / "The Way You Do the Things You Do" released.[2][3] US
27 Mar 1969 RS "The Composer" / "The Beginning of The End" released.[2][3] US
09 May 1969 RS "No Matter What Sign You Are" / "The Young Folks" released.[2][3][4] US
26 May 1969 RA Let the Sunshine In released.[5][6] US
Aug 1969 RS "Stubborn Kind of Fellow" / "Try It Baby" planned release cancelled. US
21 Aug 1969 RS "The Weight" / "For Better or Worse" released.[2][3] US
Sep 1969 RS "I Second That Emotion" / "The Way You Do the Things You Do" released.[4] UK
23 Sep 1969 RA Together released.[4][5][6] US
14 Oct 1969 RS "Someday We'll Be Together" / "He's My Sunny Boy" released.[2][3][4] US
03 Nov 1969 RA Cream of the Crop released.[4][5][6] US
07 Nov 1969 RA G.I.T. on Broadway released.[5][6] US
18 Dec 1969 RA Greatest Hits Vol. 3 released.[4][5][6] US

1970s

Date T Event L
14 Jan 1970 G Diana Ross & the Supremes perform together for the last time. After the performance, Diana Ross leaves The Supremes to go solo and is replaced by Jean Terrell. The group name then goes back to The Supremes. US
16 Feb 1970 RS "Life Beats" / "Bill, When Are You Coming Back" planned release cancelled. US
16 Feb 1970 RS "Up the Ladder to the Roof" / "Bill, When Are You Coming Back" released.[2][3][4] US
Mar 1970 RS "Why (Must We Fall in Love)" / "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" released (as by Diana Ross & the Supremes).[4] UK
13 Apr 1970 RA Farewell released.[5][6] US
26 Apr 1970 RA Right On released.[5][6] US
25 Jun 1970 RS "Everybody's Got the Right to Love" / "But I Love You More" released.[2][3] US
Sep 1970 RA The Magnificent 7 released.[5][6] US
Oct 1970 RA New Ways but Love Stays released.[5][6] US
15 Oct 1970 RS "Stoned Love" / "Shine on Me" released.[2][3][4] US
05 Nov 1970 RS "River Deep – Mountain High" / "Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music" released.[2][3][4] US
15 Apr 1971 RS "Nathan Jones" / "Happy (Is a Bumpy Road)" released.[2][3][4] US
11 May 1971 RS "You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart" / "I'm Glad About It" released.[2][3][4] US
Jun 1971 RS "River Deep – Mountain High" / "It's Got to Be a Miracle (This Thing Called Love)" released.[4] UK
Jun 1971 RA The Return of the Magnificent Seven released.[5] US
Jun 1971 RA Touch released.[4][5][6] US
07 Sep 1971 RS "Touch" / "It's So Hard for Me to Say Good-bye" released.[2] US
01 Dec 1971 RS "Floy Joy" / "This Is the Story" released.[2][3][4] US
Dec 1971 RA Dynamite! released.[5][6] US
Dec 1971 RA Promises Kept planned release cancelled. US
Apr 1972 G Cindy Birdsong leaves The Supremes and is replaced by Lynda Laurence. US
11 Apr 1972 RS "Automatically Sunshine" / "Precious Little Things" released.[2][3][4] US
May 1972 RA Floy Joy released.[5][6] US
May 1972 RS "Without the One You Love" / "Let's Make Love Now" released. UK
11 Jul 1972 RS "Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love" / "The Wisdom of Time" released.[2][3] US
15 Sep 1972 RS "I Guess I'll Miss the Man" / "Over and Over" released.[2] US
Nov 1972 RS "Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love" / "Love It Came to Me This Time" released. UK
Nov 1972 RS "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" / "Where Would I Be Without You Baby" released. UK
Nov 1972 RA The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb released.[5][6] US
22 Mar 1973 RS "Bad Weather" / "Oh Be My Love" released.[2][3][4] US
Mar 1973 RS "Bad Weather" / "It's So Hard for Me to Say Good-bye" released.[4] UK
1973 RA The Supremes Live! In Japan released. JAP
Sep 1973 RS "Tossin' and Turnin'" / "Oh Be My Love" released. UK
Oct 1973 G Lynda Laurence leaves The Supremes and is replaced by Cindy Birdsong, who had replaced her. Also, Jean Terrell leaves The Supremes and is replaced by Scherrie Payne. US
May 1974 RA Diana Ross & the Supremes Anthology (version one) released.[5][6] US
Aug 1974 RS "Baby Love" / "Ask Any Girl" re-released.[4] UK
Nov 1974 RS "Where Did Our Love Go" / "Nothing but Heartaches" released. UK
May 1975 RA The Supremes released.[5][6] US
12 Jun 1975 RS "It's All Been Said Before" / "Give Out, But Don't Give Up" planned release cancelled. US
12 Jun 1975 RS "He's My Man" / "Give Out, But Don't Give Up" released.[3] US
05 Sep 1975 RS "Where Do I Go from Here" / "Give Out, But Don't Give Up" released.[3] US
Nov 1975 RS "Early Morning Love" / "Where Is It I Belong" released. UK
Feb 1976 G Cindy Birdsong leaves The Supremes again and is replaced by Susaye Greene. US
22 Feb 1976 L Florence Ballard dies of coronary thrombosis, in Detroit, Michigan. US
16 Mar 1976 RS "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking" / "Early Morning Love" released.[2][3] US
Apr 1976 RA High Energy released.[5][6] US
Apr 1976 RS "High Energy" / "High Energy" released.[7] US
May 1976 RS "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking" / "Colour My World Blue" released. UK
Sep 1976 RS "Baby Love" / "Stop! In the Name of Love" released. UK
Sep 1976 RS "Stoned Love" / "Nathan Jones" released. UK
30 Sep 1976 RS "You're My Driving Wheel" / "You're What's Missing in My Life" released.[2][3] US
Oct 1976 RA Mary, Scherrie & Susaye released. US
25 Jan 1977 RS "Let Yourself Go" / "You Are the Heart of Me" released.[3] US
Mar 1977 RS "Love, I Never Knew You Could Feel So Good" / "This Is Why I Believe in You" released.[7] US
12 Jun 1977 PC The Supremes perform their farewell concert in London and disband. UK
Aug 1977 RS "Someday We'll Be Together" / "You Keep Me Hangin' On" released. UK
Sep 1977 RA 20 Golden Greats released.[4] UK
30 Jun 1978 RA At Their Best released. US

1980s

Date T Event L
Apr 1980 RS "Supremes Medley (Part 1)" / "Supremes Medley (Part 2)" released. UK
Sep 1980 RS "You Can't Hurry Love" / "The Happening" released. UK
Sep 1980 RS "Reflections" / "Love Child" released. UK
Sep 1980 RS "Up the Ladder to the Roof" / "Automatically Sunshine" released. UK
Sep 1980 RS "River Deep – Mountain High" / "You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart" released. UK
Sep 1980 RS "Floy Joy" / "Bad Weather" released. UK
Feb 1983 RS "Back In My Arms Again" / "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" released. UK
Jul 1984 RS "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" / "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" released. UK
Apr 1985 RS "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" / "I Second That Emotion" released. UK
Apr 1985 RS "You Keep Me Hangin' On" / "Come See About Me" released. UK
Apr 1985 RS "The Composer" / "Take Me Where You Go" released. UK
1985 RA Diana Ross & the Supremes: 25th Anniversary Collection released. US
1986 RA Diana Ross & the Supremes Anthology (version two) released. US
01 Jul 1987 RA The Never-Before-Released Masters released. US
Dec 1988 RA Love Supreme released.[4] UK
Jan 1989 RS "Stop! In the Name of Love" / "Automatically Sunshine" released.[4] UK

1990s

Date T Event L
1991 RA The Supremes ('70s): Greatest Hits and Rare Classics released. US
1995 RA The Best of Diana Ross & the Supremes: Anthology (version three) released. US
07 Oct 1997 RA The Ultimate Collection released. US
Oct 1998 RA 40 Golden Motown Greats released.[4] UK

2000s

Date T Event L
29 Aug 2000 RA The Supremes released. US
2000 RA 20th Century Masters: The Best of Diana Ross & the Supremes, Vol. 1 released. US
2000 RA 20th Century Masters: The Best of Diana Ross & the Supremes, Vol. 2 released. US
2001 RA Diana Ross & the Supremes Anthology (version four) released. US
29 Oct 2002 RA The '70s Anthology released. US
21 Oct 2003 RA Diana Ross & the Supremes: The No. 1's released. US
2004 RA Joined Together: The Complete Studio Duets released. US
09 Jul 2004 RA There's a Place for Us released. US
2005 RA The Supremes Gold released. US
12 Dec 2006 RA This Is the Story: The '70s Albums, Vol. 1 – 1970–1973: The Jean Terrell Years released. US
2007 RA Diana Ross & the Supremes Remixes released. US
12 Jan 2008 L Betty McGlown dies at Royal Oak, Oakland County, Michigan. US
25 Mar 2008 RA Let the Music Play: Supreme Rarities released. US
28 Sep 2008 RA The Definitive Collection released. US
2009 RA Magnificent: The Complete Studio Duets released. US

2010s

Date T Event L
31 Aug 2010 RA Icon: Diana Ross & the Supremes released. US
17 May 2011 RA Let Yourself Go: The '70s Albums, Vol 2 – 1974–1977: The Final Sessions released. US
24 Oct 2011 RA 50th Anniversary: The Singles Collection 1961–1969 released. US

2020s

Date T Event L
04 Mar 2020 L Barbara Martin dies in Detroit, Michigan. US
08 Feb 2021 L Mary Wilson dies in Henderson, Nevada. US

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Wilson, Mary (1999). Dreamgirl & Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as Whitburn, Joel (2007). Top Pop Singles: 1955–2006.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq Whitburn, Joel (2005). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums. pp. 541–542.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah Whitburn, Joel (2006). Top Billboard Albums: 1956–2005.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae Whitburn, Joel (1999). Top R&B Albums: 1965–1998.
  7. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2004). Billboard Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003.
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