Mary Wilson

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Mary Wilson (born March 6, 1944) is an American singer best known as a founding member and the longest serving member of the Supremes.

Wilson remained with the organisation following the departures of other original members, Florence Ballard in 1967 and Diana Ross in 1970.

Wilson's son died in 1977, and the company disbanded.

Wilson has since released three solo albums, five singles, and two best-selling autobiographies, Dreamgirl: My Life As a Supreme, a record holder for sales in its genre, and Supreme Faith: Someday We'll Be Together; both books were published as a redesigned blend.

Wilson, who began his career as a concert performer, became a musician's rights campaigner as well as a tour guide and host of several museum exhibits of the Supremes' famous costumes.

Wilson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 alongside Ross and Ballard (as members of the Supremes).

Early life

Mary Wilson was born in Greenville, Mississippi, on March 6, 1944, to Sam, a butcher, and Johnnie Mae Wilson. She was the eldest of three children, including a brother, Roosevelt, and a sister, Cathy. The Wilsons migrated to Chicago, Illinois, as part of the Great Migration, in which her father and many African Americans were seeking jobs in the North, but Mary Wilson was taken in by her aunt Ivory "I.V." In Detroit, John L. Pippin and his uncle John L. Pippin were both able to. Wilson's parents divorced, and Wilson's mother and siblings followed them in Detroit, but by then Wilson had come to believe I.V. Was she really mother? Wilson and her family were involved in the Brewster-Douglass Housing Project, a housing initiative in Detroit where Wilson first met Florence Ballard in Florence. When performing in their school's talent showcase, the two girls became best friends. Ballard invited Wilson to audition for Milton Jenkins, who was then forming a sister band to his male vocal trio, the Primes, in 1959 (two members of which were later in The Temptations). Wilson was quickly accepted into the Primettes, with Diana Ross and Betty McGlown, who lived in Wilson and Ballard's same housing project. Wilson also met Aretha, Erma, and Carolyn Franklin, the pastor's daughters at her local Baptist church, during this period.

Wilson graduated from Northeastern High School in Detroit in January 1962.

Personal life and death

Wilson married Pedro Ferrer, a Dominican businessman who had been selected as The Supremes' chief, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 11, 1974. They had three children, Turkessa, Pedro Antonio Jr., and Rafael. Wilson and Ferrer were divorced in 1981. Willie's cousin, Willie, had an adoptive mother. Wilson and her 16-year-old son Rafael were involved in a car accident on Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas in January 1994 when their Jeep Cherokee was veered off the highway and overturned. Wilson sustained moderate injuries, but Rafael's injuries were lethal. Wilson had ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Wilson died in her sleep from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at her Henderson, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas, on February 8, 2021. She had revealed on YouTube two days before her death that she was planning to debut new solo music with Universal Music Group and hoped it would be out before March 6, her 77th birthday.

Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, said he was "completely shocked and sad" by the news of her death, adding that Wilson was "quite a celebrity in her own right" and that he would continue to work tirelessly to improve the Supremes' legacy. "I am reminded that every day is a gift," Wilson said on Twitter. I have such wonderful memories of our time together. In our hearts, 'The Supremes' will live on."

Wilson was laid to rest in Culver City, California, next to her son Rafael on March 16, 2021.

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Career

The Primettes entered a two-track agreement with Lu Pine Records in 1960, releasing two singles from which Wilson sang lead vocals on "Pretty Baby." McGlown had to marry soon after and Barbara Martin had to replace him. They continued to work with a Motown contract and decided to do whatever was required, including handclaps and vocal backgrounds, during the year. Berry Gordy decided to have the group's recording songs in the studio by the end of the year. Gordy relented and promised to sign the children under control of his name unless they change their name. Janie Bradford, a Motown lyricist, approached Ballard with a list of names to choose from before Ballard selected "Supremes." On January 15, 1961, Gordy eventually agreed to sign them under that name.

In comparison to other Motown groups, the group had a difficult start in their early years, earning the nickname "no-hit Supremes" as a result. Although one track, "Buttered Popcorn," led by Ballard, was a regional hit, but it didn't quite make it to the charts. Meet The Supremes, Martin's debut album in 1962, had been pregnant and then left the company, leaving the Supremes as a trio.

The single "When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes" debuted at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1963. Gordy named Ross as the group's lead singer following the single's success. The Supremes released "Where Did Our Love Go" in 1964, their first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, paving the way for ten number-one hits for Ross, Ballard, and Wilson between 1964 and 1967.

The group had risen to international prominence by 1965, appearing on television shows such as Hullabaloo, The Hollywood Palace, The Dean Martin Exhibition, and, in particular, The Ed Sullivan Exhibition, on which they made 17 appearances. Ballard's ongoing alcoholism led to her cancellation of press conferences and recording sessions as early as 1966. Cindy Birdsong, a member of Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles, was chosen to be a stand-in for Ballard. Following a tumultuous appearance at the Flamingo, Ballard was dropped from the Supremes and replaced by Birdsong in July 1967. Gordy re-named the group "Diana Ross & the Supremes," starting with the single "Reflections."

The new lineup continued to hit singles, although some stalled outside the top 20 chart range. Ross left the company in January 1970 and Jean Terrell was introduced as the replacement for Ross during her farewell appearance. Gordy told Wilson that he considered having Syeta Wright join the group as a lead singer, but Wilson declined. Gordy relinquished creative control of the organization over to Wilson from there. "River Deep/Mountain High" (with the Four Tops), "Up the Ladder to the Roof," "Stoned Love," "Nathan Jones," and "Floy Joy" were among the Supremes' three top-40 hit singles in a three-year career, including Terrell's "Reality With Terrell." Unlike Ross' previous work in the top 20 charts, in which it had risen to the Supremes' final top 40 U.S. hits, it was successful.

Cindy Birdsong left the company following marriage and birth, and Lynda Lawrence took over. The company's fame and position on record charts have decreased drastically. Two singles in a row failed to crack the top 40 for the first time in a decade, including the Stevie Wonder penned-and-produced "Bad Weather." Jean Terrell and Lynda Lawrence, both deceased in late 1973, were distraught. Scherrie Payne was recruited by a company called The Glass House, and Cindy Birdsong returned. Wilson started performing almost half of the company's leading vocal positions as she was considered the company's most important draw and reason for continuing with this lineup change.

Wilson took the lead on the Top 10 disco hit "Early Morning Love" in 1975. With "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking," written and produced by Brian and Eddie Holland and included on the album High Energy, the group recorded its final hit single in 1976. Birdsong departed just before the album's debut, and Susaye Greene, the group's last official member, was replaced by Susaye Greene, whose voice was dubbed over two songs. High Energy's debut was well-received, but it would be Mary, Scherrie & Susaye, that was released in 1977, that would be their last. Wilson's husband Pedro Ferrer told Motown that Wilson will leave the Supremes to embark on a solo career during a meeting with Motown. Wilson performed her farewell at the Drury Lane Theatre in London on June 12, 1977. Meanwhile, Payne and Greene had intended to serve as the Supremes, but Wilson's replacement, who was later dismissed, was ultimately disbanded.

Wilson's "Mary Wilson of The Supremes" show in July 1977, just one month after her farewell appearance with the Supremes, began with two background singers. Despite the fact that there were already several uncancelled international tour dates to complete, the show was the result of Motown's permission of the group to go into hiatus. Mary therefore recruited Cindy Birdsong and Debbie Sharpe to complete a summer tour of South America to complete contracts in order to avoid lawsuits because the locations were not sued. The three-week tour began in Caracas, Venezuela, and was mainly made up of small clubs. Despite the company's displeasure and the fact that it possessed the rights/distribution rights to the name "Supremes" in the sense that it had the right to redistribution rights, Motown never cancelled the tour. Wilson recruited Karen Jackson and Kaaren Ragland to tour as background singers later this year. She and Cindy accompanied them for a year-end's tour of Europe, which consisted of dates at officer's clubs and swank discos.

Wilson signed with Motown for solo performance after an out-of-court settlement, resulting in the release of a disco-heavy self-titled album in August 1979. "Red Hot," a single from the album, debuted at number 90 on the pop charts, peaking at number 90. Motown dropped her from their roster midway through production of their second solo album in 1980. Wilson specialized in musical theater performances, including Beehive, Dancing in the Streets, and Supreme Soul throughout the 1980s.

Wilson's Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme in 1986 found much success once more with her memoir: Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme in 1986. The book remained on the national best-seller list for months, setting a new sales record for the subject. The book was based on the Supremes' early career and the 1960s' triumph. Wilson's second book, Someday We'll Be Together, was released in 1990, making it a best seller among the Supreme Court in the 1970s. Wilson appeared on many television shows and talk shows during his time in Las Vegas, and the resorts began regularly. Wilson also produced a cover version of "Ooh Child" for the Motorcity brand in 1990. Walk the Line, her previous work, a year later, she signed with CEO Records and the album, Walk the Line, was released in 1992. The company applied for bankruptcy the day after it was announced nationally. Wilson argued that she was deceived into the brand's financial situation. Wilson's physical copies of the album sold out quickly, but commercials soon followed her, and Wilson's success as a concert performer continued.

Wilson re-negotiated her deal with Motown in 1974 to give her 5 percent ownership of the word "Supremes." Wilson filed a lawsuit against several former Supreme Court members for inappropriately using the Supremes' name during the 1990s. The court sided with the defendant in September 1997, finding that Motown Records had the full rights to the group's name and allowed the spin-off groups to continue operating. Wilson appealed the decision to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, which upheld the previous decision. Wilson was encouraged to lobby for "Reality in Music" law, which prohibits the use of musical acts names unless an original member of the organization is authorized by the last person to hold the right of title to the name. Her efforts have gained traction in more than 28 states. Wilson's company, "U" for Contract Recording Company, issued a song in 1995. Wilson's album "Tourn Around" was released for Da Bridge Records a year ago.

Ross and TNA/SFX Productions negotiated a Supremes reunion tour in late 1999 (now Live Nation Entertainment). Ross called her in December, long before she'd heard of preparations for a reunion tour, according to Wilson. Wilson was initially quoted $2 million, but Birdsong was later reported to have been paid less than $1 million. Wilson disagreed, and a counteroffer of $3 million was made. Wilson said a deal had been signed between her and Birdsong by March 2000, but Ross denied it. Negotiations with Wilson and Birdsong were then suspended by TNA/SFX. Rather, the tour, Return to Love, went forward with former Supremes Scherrie Payne and Lynda Lawrence, who were born in Philadelphia on June 14. The first concert attracted 10,000 fans and grossed over $629,000. According to reports, the tour was selling below expectations by July 2000 and was eventually cancelled after 13 concerts. Ross said she was "severely distraught" that SFX had decided to cancel the tour.

Wilson unveiled an updated version of her autobiographies as a collection book last year. I Am Changeful was a year of discovery for Mary Wilson Enterprises, which was followed by her and her then-management, Duryea Entertainment.

Wilson appeared in Leader of the Pack's national tour in 2001 – The Ellie Greenwich Story. Wilson was named by Secretary of State Colin Powell as a "culture ambassador" for the US State Department a year after, attending international events organized by the department a year later. Live at the Sands, a live concert DVD, was released in 2006. Mary Wilson: Live from San Francisco, a four-year anniversary, was released on DVD. Up Close and Personal was published. Wilson became a musician during this period, as part of the Truth in Music Bill, a bill passed to prohibit impostor groups from performing under the name of 1950s and 1960s rock and roll bands, including Motown artists The Marvelettes and The Supremes. In 27 states, the legislation was introduced. Wilson has also toured and lectured around the world, as well as in the United States, speaking to many organizations around the world. "Dare to Dream" in her lecture series focuses on achieving goals and triumph over adversity. Wilson's charity efforts included Children Incorporated, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the American Cancer Society, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, the Easter Seals Foundation, UNICEF, the All-Star Network, and Figure Skaters of Harlem, a youth group dedicated to helping children prepare for the Olympics. Wilson was most recently the Humpty Dumpty Institute's Mine Action spokesperson.

Wilson made a special appearance on 20/20 in April 2008 to perform a social experiment involving pedestrians responding to a young woman singing "Stop!!" With deliberate amateurishness, there is a letter in "In the Name of Love." Wilson approached the woman and gave her constructive feedback about her style, in comparison to the pedestrians, whose reactions were positive but yet dishonest. She made a special appearance on The Paul O'Grady Show on March 5, 2009, which culminated in a special appearance for her, O'Grady, and Graham Norton. Wilson created the "Mary Wilson/Supremes Gown Collection" and had the tour included in an exhibition of the Supremes' stage wear. The collection has been on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and on May 12, 2008, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London opened its UK tour. More than 50 sets of gowns are on display, beginning with early formal wear from the 1960s and 1970s, as well as famous gowns worn on television specials and nightclub appearances by the company in the 1960s and 1970s.

In 2011, and 2013, Wilson released two singles on iTunes, "Life's Been Good To Me" and "Darling Mother (Johnnie Mae)". Wilson released "Time To Move Forward," a Sweet Feet Music album; the song debuted on the Billboard Dance charts for the first time in history, peaking at No. As of December 26, there are 17 people as of December 26. Mary Wilson, 36 years and seven weeks, holds the longest gap between hits in Billboard Dance Club Songs history as "Red Hot" debuted on October 6, 1979, and "Time To Move Forward" debuted on November 21, 2015.

"Please Don't Eat the Pansies" was launched in 2016 as a fundraising effort to help fund a gay-themed romantic comedy film. Ronnie Kerr, Andrew Lauer, singer/actor Tom Goss, and Wilson appear on the program.

Wilson's fourth book, Supreme Glamour, was published on August 15, 2019, with co-author Mark Bego devoted to the Supremes and their fashion, as well as a lengthy section dedicated to the Supremes gowns in her collection. She was announced in the same month as one of the stars of Dancing with the Stars' season 28. Wilson and her helper Brandon Armstrong were among the first two couples to be disqualified from the competition on September 23, 2019.

On March 5, 2021, Mary Wilson's last album, "Why Can't We All Get Along," was released posthumously. Wilson's 1979 solo debut, Mary Wilson: Expanded Edition, was included on a 2021 reissue of Wilson's 1979 solo debut entitled, "Irma."

Mary Wilson's Red Hot Eric Kupper Remix EP was released on September 3, 2021, marking another posthumous endeavor. The EP featured three new dance interpretations of Wilson's 1979 single "Red Hot," which was produced by Kupper.

On January 7, 2022, a posthumous compilation album titled Mary Wilson: The Motown Anthology was released physically and digitally to streaming platforms.

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