By Vandelron (68.198.48.201) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 02:43 pm:

I read on another board some anger about Kelly singing with Cindy and MAry on M45. It doesnt bother me(I think its smart and fun--the "Mary" person from DC which is the current biggest female group) but that person suggested Freda Payne (etc) instead which I thought was a good choice!Any other thoughts?(A rumor about Diana being there also is being repeated).

By Vandelron (68.198.48.201) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 02:47 pm:

PS--feeling that Kelly didnt represent classic Motown/soul.

By Michael/Cleoharvey (205.184.152.243) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 11:10 pm:

I think we should hold off attacking what they are going to do on Motown 45 until we see it. I for one am intrigued by the joining the "old and the new" which is what the producers of the show are trying to do. Cindy Birdsong and Mary Wilson of the greatest female group of all time with a member of the hottest female group of today seems like it might be fun.

To tell you the truth, I would accept Flip The Wonder Horse to get a chance to see Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong together again on stage and on a National TV show.

By Vandelron (68.198.48.201) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 11:16 pm:

LOL. Thats what I said myself above and previously. I dont think it was phrased as an attack. Others here have shared about their preferecnes for M45 like Velvelettes etc--thank God so many love Motown and its talents!

By NYC Diva (158.57.150.226) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 03:00 pm:

If Diana won't be there, then I would hope that they would at least get someone who WAS a Supreme...like Jean or Scherrie!

By boynextdoor (67.24.159.171) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 03:55 pm:

Yea, why isn't Jean involved with Mary and Cindy??? They WERE a group and had Gold Records! They have LOTS of fans....don't get it??

By marv (152.163.253.70) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 10:15 pm:

I don't understand why they never include Jean Terrell in any of the Motown specials. Not even a clip of her! This is most frustrating and disappointing. I mean they never even mention her name.

By Juicefree20 (141.149.61.110) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 10:28 pm:

Frankly, I think the idea of Kelly appearing is great. It seems to me that she's cut from the same cloth. It appears as though Papa Knowles has modeled the girls after The Supremes. They have the same kind of wholesome thing going for them. The O'Jays & The Temptations have had some success, melding the Classic (somewhat)members with a younger member. If it brings some knowledge to the younger generation & exposes them to the classics, so much for the better. Until the originals put aside their differences, this could put an interesting spin on things.

Juice

By Michael/Cleoharvey (206.216.48.86) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 10:35 pm:

I adore Jean Terrell, she was and is a fabulous singer. Her addition to the group kept it going and added wonderful music to the Supremes catalogue. However, I still think we should wait and see what they are actually going to do at Motown 45 with Kelly Rowland w/ Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong. In addition, a lot has gone down between the 8 ladies who were Supremes and Motown may not totally be the reason that Jean or Scherrie is not there. Having Mary and Cindy together clearly invokes "The Supremes" in most of America's minds. The desktop on my computer has a picture of Diana/Mary/Cindy from TCB in the "Stop In the Name of Love" pose. My neighbors son, who is 10 years old and white, walked by my computer and said "look Mommy he has a picture of The Supremes." I was stunned that a 10 year old knew who they were. Their classy image was palpable in a picture 36 years after it was taken. It is an image that Diana cannot live down no matter what she does (RTL proved that). No offense to any subsequent lady, but Mary and Cindy/Florence were to a large extent responsible for that "classic" image.

I believe the producers opted for this to have the "old and new" concept they had in mind. Let's wait and see. Believe me, if it doesn't work I will be the first person to say so.

By STONEWALL (68.237.64.45) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 01:04 am:

STOP! In The Name Of The SUPREMES

As someone on the Soulful Detroit Board indicated, it is great that there is all this interest generated in Motown, Diana Ross and/or The Supremes and "Motown 45". It appears that about 90% of respondents here and elsewhere want a real Supremes lead singer -- Diana, Jean or Scherrie -- not a "Child" (a group I believe doesn't even exist anymore -- ask Beyonce). I'm aware that Lynda Laurence can also be a lead as she did A-1 on "Up The Ladder" on the Return to Love Concert Tour (sold out/SRO at Madison Sq. Garden in NYC).

The 10%-ers who think it's 'okay' for Kellie Whatshername to be with two legendary Supremes are the same 10%-ers who thought it was sinful for Diana to have two real Supremes -- Scherrie and Lynda --with her on the R.T.L. tour. U can't keep your Supremes cake and eat it, too!

So, let's ALL wish, hope and pray that Motown Productions, etc. plan to pull the Supreme rabbit out of the Motown hat and present 3 real Supremes!!! I really can't imagine anything else. Meanwhile, it certainly adds to the chatter, the newspaper write-ups and the suspense.


STONEWALL

For more on "the girls" (all of them), visit:
www.STONEWALLvets.org/songsofStonewall-6.htm

By JoB (63.168.103.2) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 02:19 am:

...you can't even compare the two - for one, Diana was trying to pass the RTL lineup off as the "real deal", that's where she in got herself into trouble, thinking her fans were that dumb to fall for it.
They are clearly not trying to do that with the Motown 45 grouping, everyone knows Kelly ain't no Supreme, it's supposed to be all in fun, the most popular classic female group with the the most popular modern female group (or one of its members, should I say).

I swear, some of you take things too seriously around here. I would love too see D, M,& C together again just as much as anyone else, but let's face it, it ain't hapnin' anytime soon, so just deal with it and enjoy the Motown 45 show with the grouping they've got. If Diana doesn't want to be a part of it, so be it, her loss. It'd do her career a whole lot better than that damn RTL disaster did, that's for sure :o)

BTW, Stonewall, Destiny's Child is supposed to be touring together sometime next year, I believe...they still do very much exist, per Beyonce.

By Juicefree20 (141.149.61.110) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 02:37 am:

Personally speaking, frankly I never had an opinion regarding the topic. So, I guess that you'll have to redo the math on that. I stopped getting mad about this long ago. To still see this nonsense after all of these years is tedious, sickening & a bit boring. I always preferred to see the 1967 version of The Supremes bury the hatchet & get together.

I wasn't angry about the R.T.L. tour. To be frank with you, I really didn't care about it. When I read that Ms Ross wanted the lion's share of the money & was treating the girls like hired help, I was utterly turned off. The difference with Kelly is that she's not going on tour, cutting Mary & Cindy out, as Diana tried to do. People accept Cindy as Flos' replacement & Mary as an original Supreme. For Diana to try to pull an end around, bypassing them is what rankled many. Mary has the right to stand up & not be treated as the flunky that Diana seems to think her to be. We all know who's to blame & why these attempts at reuniting fail, now don't we?

What Ms Ross needs to realize is that true fans want to see her, Mary & Cindy together. The fans love all of them, TOGETHER. Diana's so busy playing the star, that she feels to realize that there are many who love Mary & Cindy just as much as they love her.

Like Meli'sa Morgan said: "I'll be there waiting for you, when you come off your trip." Those lyrics are from her classic "Fool's Paradise" & if you ask me, that's where Ms Ross has been residing for too long now. There is so much happiness that she could bring & so much money that is there to be made, if she'd only stop tripping. Pride is one of the 7 Deadly Sins. Mary & Cindy (ok so it was really The Andantes singing background)are just as important to the history of The Supremes, as Diana is. It would be nice if she would realize that & give the girls their due.

Since that hasn't happened, I have no problem with Kelly appearing with the girls. Maybe that would inspire a certain diva to think of her fans, but, I seriously doubt it. She needs to read the recent obituaries. We're losing so many artists of that period & none of us are getting These are just wasted opportunities that may never come this way again. Tempus fugit!!!

With that said, The Supremes with Jean Terrell also had some success. In fact, after Diana left, they were more than holding their own. I feel that she should be included in any reunion. I can't see that happening, as our favorite lead singer has never proven to be that magnanimous, as regards sharing a stage. What a shame!

Stonewall, I'm with you 100%, it would be a most pleasant surprise if that were to happen. Maybe Vickies faith may bring this to pass Let's hope so!

Peace
Juice

By STONEWALL (68.237.64.45) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 07:59 am:

SUPREMES "Fun" on "Motown 45"???

Yo Jo Bee, no one is lookin' to see "The SUPREMES" as a comedy act. The show will have Wayne "Soulman" Brady for that! U said havin' Kellie with them will be "fun"? If they throw Kelly Whoever with the legendary SUPREMES, Mary and Cindy, it will be totally ludicrous and insulting. Why not have her as a Beatle, instead? Like another Boardmember wrote, it would be like putting Justin Tee in The Jacksons to replace Michael. Actually, it would be far less than that! Having said that, I am sure the actual line-up will be real Motown Supremes.

By the way, it is obvious that U are jealous or whatever about Diana Ross -- who put The Supremes on the world map -- but please avoid false statements. Diana surely did not try to "pass off" the R.T.L. tour as the "real deal". Dumb she's not! And, Diana is not the Promotions Dep't! Your implication is air-apparent. Nor is she the deal-maker. If the tour had been with Mary and Cindy it would have been called the "Reunion" tour and that's why it was not called that. But 3 million dollars for the fabulous Cindy Birdsong was not enough for her. She rather collect $250 a week from her day job. Think about it. Anyway, since the beginning of time -- especially these times -- the lead singer gets paid more, a lot more. Just like on a baseball team. Some get $500,000; some get $5 million or more -- on the same team. Get it? If you'd re-read my entry, it's foolish for U to call that Return To LOVE (where's yours) tour a "disaster". I saw Diana, Lynda and Scherrie -- yes, 3 Supremes -- in Madison Square Garden, New York. People were there from all over -- including Detroit and Timbuktu. "SRO" stands for Standing Room Only. That's what it was. They sang everything from "Who's Lovin' You" and "A Breath Taking Guy" to "No Matter Sign U Are" and "Someday" and then "Up The Ladder" and "Stoned Love", etc. A grand Supreme total of 35 full songs. There were about a dozen standing ovations. U weren't there. 20,000+ others were.

Glad to hear that DESTINY'S CHILDREN are going to reunite -- if it happens. How come U aren't up in arms over Beyonce dropping the other 2 girls like hot potatoes and getting paid much more than the other two and going solo and getting all the attention and all these awards? Why the double standard, i.e., hypocrisy, for Diana? In 1967, Motown expanded group names like Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, etc. but it only bothered some folks about Diana Ross & The Supremes. And it's always okay for someone to go solo whether it's Judy Garland, Ben E. King, John Lennon, Sam Cooke, Donny Osmond, David Ruffin, Paul McCartney, Martha Reeves, Eddie Kendricks, Annie Lenox, Lionel Ritchie, Eric Clapton, Bobby Brown, Cher, Dennis Edwards, Gladys Knight, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, et al., etc. -- as long as it's not Miss Ross. Any, any, anybody except DIANA!? The reality is that she should never have been in a group in the first place -- any more than Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, or even the late Mary Wells (who ironically always had a few girls backing her up). And Berry who created Motown knew that Diana should be a solo performer. Any who saw her perform then knew that she should be solo. It was that obvious.

The bottom line as "Juicefree" sensibly stated above (finally in his 7th paragraph): "I'm with U 100%" in hoping that everyone will see THREE SUPREMES on "Motown 45". In reality, it's easy; there's a choice of 8 Supremes.

Supremely yours,

STONEWALL

By Juicefree20 (151.205.163.226) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 01:25 pm:

Stonewall, do you have a problem with paragraphs?? Wow, counting paragraphs are we. Ok, the secret's out,I get paid by the word I'm sure that if you counted word for word, we're even. I simply made my paragraphs a bit shorter than yours .

It's true that Diana was the star, that's unquestioned. However, how has her solo career been going nowadays? The true fans of The Supremes are clamoring for The Supremes, the Original Supremes to get together. It's not a Diana Ross thing, that's the problem. Whether Cindy chooses to collect $250 from her day job is not the point. I applaud her for maintaining her dignity, everyone can't be bought. If there was 3 mil for Cindy, how much was Diana going to get? I guarantee you that if you were in Mary or Cindys shoes, you wouldn't think it was so wonderful. No on wants to feels like a flunky, they've lived that before, I can't imagine them wanting to relive the experience 30 years later.

There's two things that can't be bought: dignity & class. You seem to think that the girls should accept being treated as second rate, as long as they're paid. It seems to me that you're not a Supremes fan, but, rather a Diana Ross fan. I don't see you speaking up for Mary or Cindy & you seem to have no problem with the economic disparity.

Frankly, who cares that Diana went solo. It was a shock at first, as I was only 9 years old. But the girls were doing their thing for awhile without Diana. I wished them both success & I love Diana's music, always have. She definitely mhad that something different that few singers have, she is distinctive & she's a hell of a performer, who can deny that. The point is, she needs to ease up mon the diva crap. She's had her fame, her moments. The fact is that she would get paid even more with Mary & Cindy, than she will with any other set of Supremes. Let's face it, Diana should have gotten all of that diva crap out of her system years ago. She hasn't been setting any concert attendance records these last few years, true? People are getting tired of the diva act & if they continue this nonsense, they'll render themselves irrelevant to the overall public. They'll just see they as 3 old ladies who argue like kids. They're doing nothing positive as regards the legacy of The Supremes & that's a shame. They need to grow up & start to collect all of that cheddar before it's too late.

I'm curious about one thing & I hope that you can clarify this for me. The Garden Show was a success, but, how did the rest of the tour go? One show does not make a successful tour. What were the stats regarding the other tour dates, how many were cancelled & why? How long did the tour last & what happened with it?
By the way, this only contains 5 paragraphs, I'm getting better all the time

Juice

By STONE LOVE (24.30.124.189) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 07:05 pm:

I'M GONNA SAY THIS AGAIN THE SUPREMES MARY WILSON AND CINDY BIRDSONG WITH DESTINY CHILD'S KELLY ROWLAND AS THE SUPREMES IS JUST FOR FUN.(THE OLD WITH THE NEW)I KNOW THEY(MOTOW 45)ASK DIANA ROSS TO BE ON THE SHOW AND NOTHING HAPPEN.I JUST WISH THE SUPREMES FANS WOULD STOP TAKING THIS SERIOUS.JUST FOR FUN.I THINK IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT SHOW.

By Juicefree20 (68.161.31.69) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 08:33 pm:

Thank you Stone Love!

By boynextdoor (67.24.159.172) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 11:10 pm:

I'm not asking for Diana Ross....I'm more of a 70's Supremes fan and would prefer seeing Jean, Mary and Cindy. That was the line up for me and a lot of other people!

By JoB (63.168.103.2) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 07:03 am:

...wow, Stonewall, I'm sensing a lil' hostility towards myself in your post...like I said, calm down, it ain't that deep. And whether you "approve" or not, Kelly is singing with them...deal with it.

As far as my being jealous of Diana Ross, oh well, I guess I'm caught, you got me there...and I now admit it to the world...I am jealous of Diana Ross (what for, I'm not exactly sure, but if saying so will get your loony *ss to calm down and quit being so pathetic enough to take this thing personal and attack people you don't even know over the internet, I'll be a one-armed murderer)...

BTW, the very fact that you said that the RTL tour was NOT a disaster, shows me exactly what the "stone" in Stonewall stands for :o)
Ask any sober person what they thought about it, and I'm sure they'll agree with me (...and here's a little tip...quit reiterating the fact about it being sold out in New York...because to my knowledge, most "tours" consist of more than one city, and the success of it is determined by OVERALL attendance throughout the entire tour.).
Not to mention the fact that it was cancelled because of lack of ticket sales, I don't think that will help your case too much either :o)

...we now return to the original topic of discussion, excuse while I get a valium for Stoney over here...

By Michael/Cleoharvey (205.184.151.50) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 10:33 am:

RTL was a disaster plain and simple. The American press and public would not accept a "Supremes" reunion without Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong. Diana Ross miscalculated, and substituting two women that Mary Wilson had hired and that Ross had never sung with, did not work. It is perverse denial to state otherwise.

As I have said in two previous posts, let's wait and see what the Motown 45 people do with Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong, and Kelly Rowland. We can discuss the success or failure afterwards on this wonderful site.

By ail (81.133.10.149) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 12:03 pm:

Funny that!!!!! M/C, Diana Ross leaves the supremes over 30 years ago.... Mari and Cindy as individual artist have not had a hit record or record contract for that matter...What's that all about???? the american public is supposed to have said something about the unsucessful RTL tour, the american public does not know, buy or knows who Mari or Cindy was until the RTL TOUR..... What's that all about???????

By stephanie (69.138.239.31) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 12:21 pm:

I think that the reason they want Kelly there is to bring in the old and the new and frankly I wish Beyonce and Kelly could be with Mary and Cindy and I think Miss Ross would think twice and come back. This is utter delight to know they will be together but it seems like everytime I hear about a reunion of Supremes something stupid happens. We will have to wait and see,
Stephanie

By Vandelron (68.198.48.201) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 09:40 pm:

In the recent book on Motown by Posner, he quoted an industry expert who said basically-"there has never been a tour such as RTL that was such a disaster and miscalculation." Im looking forward to M45 and seeing Mary and Cindy together(actually it would be kind fo fun to see Justin take Diana part). Im not even missing Diana which I realized says something-2 of 3 Supremes is greater than 1.(My understanding was Cindy was offered less than a million and Mary 3+--good for them, that they couldnt be bought--thats what we take with us at the end of this fragile existence). PS Lets not put down the opinions of others--of course Surpemes fans have strong opionions just as Yankee fans, Mets fans and Beatles fans. Lets say what we mean but not say it mean.

By Vandelron (68.198.48.201) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 09:44 pm:

PS -to put down the luminous Miss Birdsong who followed her conscience as a devout Christian and who practices what she preaches--and who makes a wage like many people, is really not necessary.

By ICE/AIL (81.128.56.69) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 08:28 am:

It,s a really sad thought but Mari or Cindy (oh Cind is the lovely,pretty and wonderful Supreme) were not on the latter Supremes No 1's 'Love Child/Someday' tracks and my God no one's even notice untill it was made public.....Any way i hope Mari /Cindy will enjoy being a 'SUPREME FOR A DAY' just for Vandelro... Van enjoy, glad your ears will enjoy the true orignal sound of the Supremes greatest moments. no wonder the supremes aren't in the same house as EL/BE.... THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL SOUNDS THAT I BOUGHT ELVIS,JOHN, PAUL,RINGO AND GEORGE. No bull can't stand fake groups or even fake lead vocals.... always loved the truth and the original works of art ... no matter what!!!! OH WELL VAN EACH TO HIS OWN ...I'LL HAVE THE AUTHENTIC SUPREMES AND U CAN HAVE THE FAKE GROUP. NICE ONE

By prettybaby (141.156.197.118) on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 10:34 am:

I wish this trash that does not have the decency to speak of an american legend like MARY WILSON to spell her name correctly. Stonewall is legendary and if you cannot appreciate what that means then no excuses for your ignorance. Get a life the Supremes were about more than your drag queen fanatic concerning Diana Ross. Motown 45 more or less could care less about the supremes or Diana.

By Michael/Cleoharvey (205.184.184.65) on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 10:42 am:

I am not sure why The Supremes always engender ugliness and nastiness in posts about them. I left this Forum a year ago because of a horrible personal email sent to me with regard to a post about The Supremes. Could we please keep the discussions on some civil level and not level personal attacks?

By Juicefree20 (68.161.46.83) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 01:38 am:

Michael/cleoharvey, you would think that from some of the responses that someones first born was killed. I bet that the same folks that are ready to kill over because of a differing opinion of their favorite artist, don't muster the same indignation over more important issues such as homelessness, poverty & more important issues. I don't understand why folks getg so bent out of shape about this stuff. I'm willing to bet that their favorite artist is not on a forum, defending them, much less acknowledging their existence. Some folks are is serious need of a thing called perspective.

By UndisputedTruth (65.42.80.54) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 09:16 am:

At last a few post from people with some sense. I've come to the conclusion that some of these people are just nuts. Plain and simple. Most of us along with the general population adore a lot of performers, but on these types of boards (especially Yahoo) you get the real obsessed fanatics. On the other end of the spectrum you have your "Know It All's" and I think just about everyone "Know's somebody" that given them the inside scoop. LOL!!!! It's all just entertainment.

By CORNBREAD (66.185.84.74) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 09:34 am:

Here is an idea: How about contacting the producer of Survival and suggest a show featuring the combatants from issues with the Supremes, Three Degrees etc. Suggested location a rundown inner city area like in East St. Louis.

By Michael/Cleoharvey (205.184.182.106) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 10:46 am:

Cornbread:

LOL!!!!! It would be an amazing free-for-all brawl. However, even then, there are those who would start arguing about who was booted out of East St. Louis during the run of the show.

By marv (152.163.253.70) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 11:11 am:

Ail. What country are you from? In the United States the most common spelling of the name Mary, is M-A-R-Y. I am sure you meant no disrespect to the remarkable Ms. Mary Wilson!

By Juicefree20 (151.205.175.122) on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 02:20 pm:

Cornbread, that is the best idea that I've ever heard. Of course, they'd have to be dressed as their idols & I'm sure that they will already have their fan club letters & scrapbooks. I expect this kind of stuff from kids, but from grown adults... man! To quote a pretty Soulful dude named Willie S: "I think they doth protest too much." The sad thing is that most of their idols wouldn't pay them any attention at all. I find it sad that an individual has their lives so tied up in another individuals life to such an extent. I don't know if they're living vicariously, living in the past, or are just plain crazy. I read all of these feuds & how vicious it becomes & I shake my head. Let some of these folks get behind in a few of their bills, or suffer misfortune & see what their stars are willing to do for them. This is some scary behavior & sad, so sad. Some folks really need to grow up, there are too many real problems out here in the real world.

People want world peace, yet are ready to explode over who was the best this, or, the best that. Seems a bit contradictory & neurotic to me. These folks seem to be incapable of tolerating anyone who share a viewpoint, that's in opposition to theirs. They want to yell, curse & insult people. I'm damn glad that these folks aren't in control of the missile launching buttons, as they seem to be pretty irrational. What's truly ludicrous about this is that most of this crap occurred over 30 YEARS AGO. No arguing will ever change what's already been done. In short, their arguments are pointless & fruitless, as there are no do overs. There's no time machine that will turn back the clock & right any wrongs. Seeing grown folks act like this, makes me wonder how their children turned out. I wonder if they taught their children such intolerance as well. Role models indeed! It's sad!

Juice

By UDT (65.42.91.38) on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 07:41 am:

Good points JF.

By STONEWALL (68.237.55.100) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 07:27 am:

Regarding: DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES * * *

Everyone should be so proud of them!!! They truly are Dream Girls (as in the Broadway play). They were the only Black artists to give Elvis & The Beatles a run for their money and at the very top echelon. Diana Ross & The Supremes are the all-time, best-selling American group. They are the number one girl group of all time. Watchout! Someone off-the-wall on this board will write me
with personal attacks and insults that The Dixie Cups were the best. Plz. don't fall for the bait.

Now, of course, everybody, except Sadamn (definitely with no t.v.) and bin Laden (no t.v. in the caves), wants to see a real reunion of Diana, Mari and Cindy.

"Pretty Baby" (I doubt it) writes on these boards to me: "I wish this trash..." -- U left out "white". I own a personnel agency and get people respectable jobs and it calls me "trash"? If U weren't such a coward, why don't U identify your tired ass. No wonder people leave this board! And why did "Ugly Baby" write that? Because I spelled Mary as "Mari". U are the one who ignorant not me. Get it? I've been writing "Mari" to MARI for over three decades and she loves it! In fact, at her show last year at B.B. King's, she even announced that fact from the stage. Bi the way, even more recently, when Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were at B.B. King's, from the stage Miss Martha announced and dedicated a song to me ("Honey Chile"). And, Marv, really U fell for that, too, about the endeared spelling of a name. How petty -- and U were wrong anyway. U ought to be more concerned about anyone 'disrespecting', to use your word, the remarkable Diana Ross by referring to her as "Diane". That is totally wrong and ignorant and disrespectful. Cause if U go for that dis then U would have to approve of folks calling Mohammed Ali as "Cassius". It's the exact same damn thing. In fact, "Diana" is her birthname!

I gotta "Run, Run, Run" real soon but Mr. Juice-free (congrats, again), I agree with your pensive writings and 90% of what U say on this subject -- except mixing a girl from another, albeit inactive, girl group with the legendary Supremes (whichever 3 appear on "M-45"). That is a ridiculous thought. During a baseball game would U have one of the Mets play in uniform on the Yankees team? I don't think so; besides he'd be stoned! And, JoB, U took the dishin' from a week-and-a-half ago quite well and U have an A-1 obvious sense of humor. Honey, like most people, I just want to preserve The Supremes' legacy and keep it going. All 8 Supes added to the successes!

AS I've said for awhile, I predict and pray that there will be a real reunion of Diana Ross & The Supremes (Mari & Cindy) on the "Motown 45". If not Diana, I trust it will be Jean Terrell.

In case U didn't know, it's being filmed this Sunday, April 4th in L.A. and will air on t.v. on Monday, May 17 from 9 to 11 p.m. on ABC-TV.

"Someday, We'll Be Together",

STONEWALL

P.S. Oh, JoB, since U wondered, the "Stone" in STONEWALL is from the famous Stonewall Rebellion of 1969 right here in N.Y.C. Amen go rite there!

By STONEWALL (68.237.93.170) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 05:06 am:

Oh, well, now that the live performances have been filmed for the MOTOWN 25 show....

No one any longer -- of the relatively few that did -- thinks that having 20-something Kellie Whatshername with two legendary SUPREMES -- MARI WILSON & CINDY BIRDSONG -- each well over twice her age (great as they do look), was "smart and fun". It was neither smart, it was stupid and shameful. It wasn't fun, it was a mockery and shameful. It was an across-the-board disgrace to classic Motown and the incredible legacy of the all-time, number one girl group in history: THE SUPREMES.

DIANA ROSS was begged and refused; she does have her reasons. Okay, then why not former Supremes lead singer JEAN TERRELL (1970-1973) or lead singer SCHERRIE PAYNE (1975-1977)??

Every reviewer who actually saw the M-45 show ripped "KELLY-ROW" with quotes such as:

* "The worst singing offender of the evening was Kelly Rowland."

* "Miss ROWLAND made it a mock-up group of Supremes."

* "KELLY caused an obvious unauthentic air."

* "Miss ROWLAND sure ain't no Miss ROSS, unfortunately!"

* "In fact, why was she (KELLY) even there?"

* "Later, KELLY ROWLAND came back to torture our ears even further with LIONEL RICHIE on "Endless Love"."

* "If we ever missed DIANA ROSS, it was tonight".


Note: The other reviewers -- black & white, East Coast & West Coast, Gay and straight -- were even less charitable in their professional comments.


For "411" on the single-release songs of THE SUPREMES, visit: www.STONEWALLvets.org/songsofStonewall-1.htm.

By Boynextdoor (4.165.87.22) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 05:13 pm:

Why wasn't Jean asked to perform with Mary and Cindy? They WERE a major force in the early 70's.
Kelly Rowland is pretty, but, can't SANG. Jean would have made it "authentic"....and oh, to see them together again. Guess we're never going to see a real line-up of Supremes again?

By JoB (63.168.103.2) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 02:54 am:

...however good or bad Kelly was, I still say some people are taking it too seriously, the fact that she sang with the Supremes. Get over it...it really isn't all that deep. She did not "disgrace" or "bring shame" to the Supremes legacy, no one could ever do that...they'll always be numero uno, I don't care if it was William Hung singing with them.

...maybe they're saving the "real" Supremes reunion for Motown 50 :o)

By STONEWALL (68.237.93.170) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 05:15 am:

Yo, Jo Bee, we're basically on the same page but just add a little "reality check". What if Jean Terrell was struck by lightning tomorrow and died? All would then be bemoaning: Why didn't
"THEY" have Jean with THE SUPREMES on M-45?

I recall many years ago (late 1960s) one of the variety shows had an incredible special guest line-up. It was The Andrews Sisters (white and past, from the 1940s) and THE SUPREMES (brown and current, from the 1960s). And guess what? Each group alternated singin' the #1 hits of the other group. The contrast was delightfully obvious. The singing was sublime. Oh, and each of the groups had their original 3 members. All that was "fun" but it was for real, it was authentic. Stickin a "B" girl in with a "AAA" group is ridiculous. And, Miss Jo Bee, to add insult to injury to THE SUPREMES, former Supreme lead singer SCHERRIE PAYNE was right in the audience. Why didn't they have her on stage?! Shameful -- and stupid.

Again with U and me on the same track, they'll have the D.R.S. renuion for M-50 -- if all 3 are still alive and well (gotta be well) -- butt I believe we are all gonna see it a lot sooner than dat! A Tour or whatever.

By Go Flo (203.113.247.205) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 08:50 am:

Get over it...

The Supremes were for enjoyment. Some left, some stayed and some continue to remember and moan.

End of the day the music is fantastic.... Flo, Mary, Diana, Jean, Scherrie........... each added their own contribution.............

But at the end of the day it is about enjoyment

By Michael/Cleoharvey (206.216.63.163) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 09:22 am:

It just amazes me the kind of emotion (good and bad) The Supremes can engender after all these years. After reading a rundown of the show in Billboard, Kelly with Mary and Cindy make sense (even though I would have preferred Beyonce). No one has mentioned that Motown 45 gave Mary Wilson (why are some people spelling her name Mari?) and Cindy Birdsong the chance to be together again. And by the pictures that I have seen from the show, they look wonderful. Cindy is 64 and looks incredible. As for Kelly Rowland being off-pitch, I promise you they will correct that in the studio before you see it.

By STONEWALL (68.237.93.170) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 02:42 pm:

"MARI" is a special spelling for special Supreme MARY. It was started bi me in the Summer of 1967 when the group name was expanded to DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES. It was giving MARI a little special name change, too. MARI knows it, luvs it and wishes her mother spelt it that way on her birth certificate. Feel free to use it. We always make the "i" with a star *(asterisk) instead of a dot! That adds to the uniqueness. Thanx for asking; a good supreme "?". Oh, bi the way, many years ago backstage after a "Legendary Ladies of Motown" concert tour (hello, Spookey), MARY WELLS asked me, why don't U spell my name with an "i"? I replied, "MARY, you're with a "y", otherwise the "i" name wouldn't be unique". So, that was yet another reason -- to differentiate between MARY Wells and MARI Wilson.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Regarding the partially SUPREMES line-up on "M-45", yes, if they wanted to blend the A-list SUPREMES with a current singer, then it should have been with "A"-list BEYONCE, who clearly is Diana-ish and Supreme-ish and a lead singer! Or it could have been with "A"-list MARIAH. After all, Miss CAREY dueted with DIANA on #1 Supremes' songs ("Baby Love" and "Stop!") at VH-1's "Divas 2000". It was wrong across-the-bored to have a "B" list sanger or a "C" list sunger who most people (90%+) never heard of. Those are just the facts ma'am. It's too late now, the damage has been done. Wait 'til the millions of people see that scene on May 17th!

By janice (65.148.30.73) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 05:33 pm:

******MESSAGE FROM DAVID******

More personal attacks removed. Stay away if you can't adhere to the rules!

By MotownShow (68.237.93.170) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 08:29 am:

The girls are going "Up The Ladder To The Roof Of The Board".

By royaljones (166.68.134.174) on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 06:48 pm:

JEAN TERRELL my unsung hero . COME BACK JEAN!...put away your scouring pads . shake out that wighat ! grab some bobbles and sequins and take me back to THE LOVING COUNTRY....Jean , you shortchanged yourself time and time again. Hope you resurface or have your unreleased recordings unearthed....Jean, you know just what I mean....

By STONEWALL (68.161.203.40) on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 07:09 pm:

Why wasn't JEAN TERRELL with the other two SUPREMES at the Motown 45 performances? What a missed opportunity for Motown, The Supremes and Jean. After all, the three of these Supremes were together recently in Detroit for the tribute to Levi Stubbs. Anyway, someone must know the answer to this burning question.