In her latest documentary, Luther: Never Too Much, Dawn Porter crafts a striking profile of a singular musician. That Luther Vandross, who died in 2005, hasn’t gotten the documentary treatment until now is surprising considering his imprint on the music industry. Vandross — a true multi-hyphenate — sang, arranged and produced records for himself and other iconic artists. He worked with David Bowie, Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick, for example. He wasn’t just popular with fans for his velvety voice and romantic numbers; he was beloved by industry stalwarts, some of whom appear in Porter’s documentary. Even for those familiar with the “Never Too Much” crooner, Porter’s project is essential viewing.
Premiering at Sundance, Luther: Never Too Much is a trove of archival material. Porter uses rehearsal footage, concert videos, old interviews with Vandross and newer ones with his friends and family to tell the musician’s story. The...
Premiering at Sundance, Luther: Never Too Much is a trove of archival material. Porter uses rehearsal footage, concert videos, old interviews with Vandross and newer ones with his friends and family to tell the musician’s story. The...
- 1/22/2024
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On Saturday afternoon, the Grammys’ special awards ceremony returned in person for the first time since 2019.
Held at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, the ceremony honored Bobby McFerrin, Nirvana, Ma Rainey, Nile Rodgers, Slick Rick, The Supremes and Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart with the Recording Academy’s 2023 lifetime achievement awards.
In his acceptance speech, 10-time Grammy winner McFerrin performed a live and impromptu a capella song with his children onstage. Additionally, Nirvana’s Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear accepted the band’s award.
“They said Kurt was witty or maybe he was a smart ass,” said Novoselic, thanking the late Kurt Cobain in his acceptance speech. “He said teenage angst has paid off well, and it has.”
While holding back tears, Rodgers delivered an emotional speech thanking the likes of David Bowie, Madonna, Diana Ross, Mick Jagger, The B-52s, Michael Jackson,...
Held at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, the ceremony honored Bobby McFerrin, Nirvana, Ma Rainey, Nile Rodgers, Slick Rick, The Supremes and Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart with the Recording Academy’s 2023 lifetime achievement awards.
In his acceptance speech, 10-time Grammy winner McFerrin performed a live and impromptu a capella song with his children onstage. Additionally, Nirvana’s Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear accepted the band’s award.
“They said Kurt was witty or maybe he was a smart ass,” said Novoselic, thanking the late Kurt Cobain in his acceptance speech. “He said teenage angst has paid off well, and it has.”
While holding back tears, Rodgers delivered an emotional speech thanking the likes of David Bowie, Madonna, Diana Ross, Mick Jagger, The B-52s, Michael Jackson,...
- 2/6/2023
- by Sydney Odman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Recording Academy’s Special Merit Award ceremony arrived the Saturday afternoon ahead of the 65th annual Grammy Awards. Members of Nirvana, the Supremes, and Heart, along with Woodstock photographer Henry Diltz, Auto-Tune inventor Dr. Andy Hildebrand and more, received honors at the intimate gathering inside Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to artists who “have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording,” according to the Academy.
As the two-hour event rolled into the evening, with tear-shedding speeches and surprise a capella numbers,...
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to artists who “have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording,” according to the Academy.
As the two-hour event rolled into the evening, with tear-shedding speeches and surprise a capella numbers,...
- 2/5/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
The Recording Academy will host a Special Merit Award ceremony in February ahead of the 65th Annual Grammy Awards to honor the recipients of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Awards. The Supremes, Nirvana, Nile Rodgers, Slick Rick, Ma Rainey, Bobby McFerrin, and Heart members Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson have been announced as the show’s 2023 honorees.
“The Academy is proud to celebrate this diverse slate of influential music people spanning numerous genres and crafts as our 2023 Special Merit Awards honorees,” Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, shared in a statement.
“The Academy is proud to celebrate this diverse slate of influential music people spanning numerous genres and crafts as our 2023 Special Merit Awards honorees,” Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, shared in a statement.
- 1/5/2023
- by Larisha Paul
- Rollingstone.com
The Recording Academy announced its 2023 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients today, with Bobby McFerrin, Nirvana, Ma Rainey, Nile Rodgers, Slick Rick “The Ruler,” The Supremes, and Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart making the cut.
The Lifetime awards were among the honors announced by the academy today for presentation at the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards Ceremony on Feb. 4 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, a day before the 65th annual Grammy Awards. In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Awards, today’s announcement includes recipients of the Trustees Award, Technical Grammy Award, and Best Song For Social Change Award.
Other honors announced today are the Trustees Award recipients, which this year includes music photographer Henry Diltz, Jazz pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and Stax Records founder Jim Stewart.
Receiving the awards posthumously are Kurt Cobain of Nirvana; the original Supremes line-up’s Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard; Rainey; Marsalis; and Stewart.
The Lifetime awards were among the honors announced by the academy today for presentation at the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards Ceremony on Feb. 4 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, a day before the 65th annual Grammy Awards. In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Awards, today’s announcement includes recipients of the Trustees Award, Technical Grammy Award, and Best Song For Social Change Award.
Other honors announced today are the Trustees Award recipients, which this year includes music photographer Henry Diltz, Jazz pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and Stax Records founder Jim Stewart.
Receiving the awards posthumously are Kurt Cobain of Nirvana; the original Supremes line-up’s Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard; Rainey; Marsalis; and Stewart.
- 1/5/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Recording Academy will present several iconic acts with Lifetime Achievement Awards this year, including The Supremes, Nirvana, Ma Rainey and Slick Rick.
The academy announced Thursday that Nile Rodgers, Bobby McFerrin and Heart’s Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson will also receive the coveted honor at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony, which is returning for the first time since 2020.
The event will take place Feb. 4 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, a day before the 65th annual Grammy Awards. The academy will also give out other awards at the event: Stax Records founder Jim Stewart, jazz pianist and educator Ellis Marsalis, and music photographer Henry Diltz are the Trustees Award recipients. Auto-Tune creator Andy Hildebrand and the Audio Engineering Society (Aes) are the Technical Grammy Award honorees.
The Best Song for Social Change honoree will be announced at a later date.
Kurt Cobain, The Supremes’ Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard,...
The academy announced Thursday that Nile Rodgers, Bobby McFerrin and Heart’s Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson will also receive the coveted honor at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony, which is returning for the first time since 2020.
The event will take place Feb. 4 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, a day before the 65th annual Grammy Awards. The academy will also give out other awards at the event: Stax Records founder Jim Stewart, jazz pianist and educator Ellis Marsalis, and music photographer Henry Diltz are the Trustees Award recipients. Auto-Tune creator Andy Hildebrand and the Audio Engineering Society (Aes) are the Technical Grammy Award honorees.
The Best Song for Social Change honoree will be announced at a later date.
Kurt Cobain, The Supremes’ Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard,...
- 1/5/2023
- by Mesfin Fekadu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Throughout 2021, we have been updating our “In Memoriam” photo gallery (view above). Scroll through to remember 33 entertainers from film, television, theater and music. Many were winners at the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and/or Tonys. Here is a closer look at just a few of those we celebrate in our gallery:
Legendary composer Stephen Sondheim died on November 26 at age 91. He was a seven-time Tony Award winner for “Company,” “Follies,” “A Little Night Music,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Into the Woods” and “Passion.” He received a lifetime achievement Tony in 2008. He was an Oscar winner for “Dick Tracy” and a seven-time Grammy winner. Other well-known shows were “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Pacific Overtures,” Merrily We Roll Along,” “Sunday in the Park with George” and “Assassins” plus “West Side Story” and “Gypsy” as a lyricist. He was also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Kennedy Center Honors.
Legendary composer Stephen Sondheim died on November 26 at age 91. He was a seven-time Tony Award winner for “Company,” “Follies,” “A Little Night Music,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Into the Woods” and “Passion.” He received a lifetime achievement Tony in 2008. He was an Oscar winner for “Dick Tracy” and a seven-time Grammy winner. Other well-known shows were “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Pacific Overtures,” Merrily We Roll Along,” “Sunday in the Park with George” and “Assassins” plus “West Side Story” and “Gypsy” as a lyricist. He was also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Kennedy Center Honors.
- 12/29/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Sarah Dash — one-third of the powerhouse R&b trio Labelle and also a contributor to Keith Richards’ solo work — died on September 20th at age 76. According to her cousin and business manager John Dash III, Dash was found dead at her home in Trenton, New Jersey. No cause of death has been determined pending an autopsy.
As a founding member of Labelle, Dash appeared on their ubiquitous 1975 dance floor classic “Lady Marmalade” as well as on records by the group’s earlier incarnation, the Bluebelles (1962’s “I Sold My Heart...
As a founding member of Labelle, Dash appeared on their ubiquitous 1975 dance floor classic “Lady Marmalade” as well as on records by the group’s earlier incarnation, the Bluebelles (1962’s “I Sold My Heart...
- 9/21/2021
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
It was Valentine’s Day of 2018 in Washington, D.C., and Mary Wilson was on a mission. Then 74 years old, the Supremes singer, outfitted in a glamorous red dress and very high heels, needed to convince the nation’s representatives and senators to vote yes on the Classics Act, a proposed piece of legislation to support legacy artists. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“We walked the back halls of the Rayburn Building, we stopped members of Congress,” Mitch Glazier, chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America,...
“We walked the back halls of the Rayburn Building, we stopped members of Congress,” Mitch Glazier, chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America,...
- 2/12/2021
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Only six weeks into the new year of 2021, we’ve already been losing so many Hollywood and entertainment legends. Tour our “In Memoriam” photo gallery, which features Oscar winners Cloris Leachman and Christopher Plummer, Honorary Oscar recipient Cicely Tyson, Tony winner Hal Holbrook, talk show icon Larry King, The Supremes co-founder Mary Wilson and former child star Dustin Diamond.
As we’ve done for many years, we will continue to update this gallery throughout 2021 and hope that the next 10 months aren’t as gut-wrenching as the first few weeks.
Here’s a look back at the seven people we celebrate so far in this gallery:
Singer Mary Wilson died on February 8 at age 76. She was one of the founders of The Supremes along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Stage, screen and TV actor Christopher Plummer died...
As we’ve done for many years, we will continue to update this gallery throughout 2021 and hope that the next 10 months aren’t as gut-wrenching as the first few weeks.
Here’s a look back at the seven people we celebrate so far in this gallery:
Singer Mary Wilson died on February 8 at age 76. She was one of the founders of The Supremes along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Stage, screen and TV actor Christopher Plummer died...
- 2/11/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
From 1964 to at least 1967, the Supremes helped define the sound of Motown and, by extension, the sound of mainstream American pop. The trio worked closely with the songwriter-producer team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland to perfect a musical blueprint; an ideal blend of hard and soft — drums like jackhammers, cymbals like sword fights, and harmonies like whipped cream. Diana Ross sang lead, of course, while Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard handled backup, pulling from a formidable, constantly shifting arsenal of “whoa-ohs,” “whoo-oohs,” “yeah-yeahs,” “baby-baby’s,” and “help,...
- 2/9/2021
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
Martha Reeves was just about to go to bed on Monday evening when she got the horrible news that her dear friend Mary Wilson had died. The two Motown stars had known each other since the earliest days of their careers more than 60 years ago, and they’d traveled the world countless times in various revue shows, playing timeless Sixties hits like “Baby Love,” “Heat Wave,” and “Stop! In The Name of Love.” In the past few years, Reeves and Wilson toured together as the Legendary Ladies of Motown, and...
- 2/9/2021
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
The world woke up to the sad news this morning that Supremes singer Mary Wilson died of unknown causes at her home in Henderson, Nevada. She was 76.
“I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson of the Supremes,” Motown founder Berry Gordy said in a statement. “[She] was extremely special to me. She was a trailblazer, a diva and will be deeply missed.”
Wilson was a founding member of the Supremes going all the way back to their...
“I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson of the Supremes,” Motown founder Berry Gordy said in a statement. “[She] was extremely special to me. She was a trailblazer, a diva and will be deeply missed.”
Wilson was a founding member of the Supremes going all the way back to their...
- 2/9/2021
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Mary Wilson, the trailblazing co-founder of The Supremes, died suddenly on Monday evening at her home in Nevada. No cause of death was given.
Wilson, at age 76, was the longest member of the the iconic all-female Motown group from the 1960s, which she formed with Florence Ballard and Diana Ross. The Supremes would go on to dominate the charts in the 1960s, breaking a host of chart records to become one of the best-selling female groups of all time and churning out timeless hits for generations to come along the way.
Just last month, Wilson reminisced about the beginnings of The ...
Wilson, at age 76, was the longest member of the the iconic all-female Motown group from the 1960s, which she formed with Florence Ballard and Diana Ross. The Supremes would go on to dominate the charts in the 1960s, breaking a host of chart records to become one of the best-selling female groups of all time and churning out timeless hits for generations to come along the way.
Just last month, Wilson reminisced about the beginnings of The ...
Mary Wilson, the trailblazing co-founder of The Supremes, died suddenly on Monday evening at her home in Nevada. No cause of death was given.
Wilson, at age 76, was the longest member of the the iconic all-female Motown group from the 1960s, which she formed with Florence Ballard and Diana Ross. The Supremes would go on to dominate the charts in the 1960s, breaking a host of chart records to become one of the best-selling female groups of all time and churning out timeless hits for generations to come along the way.
Just last month, Wilson reminisced about the beginnings of The ...
Wilson, at age 76, was the longest member of the the iconic all-female Motown group from the 1960s, which she formed with Florence Ballard and Diana Ross. The Supremes would go on to dominate the charts in the 1960s, breaking a host of chart records to become one of the best-selling female groups of all time and churning out timeless hits for generations to come along the way.
Just last month, Wilson reminisced about the beginnings of The ...
Motown founder Berry Gordy remembered Mary Wilson as “a trailblazer” and “a diva” in a tribute following the Supremes singer’s death Monday at the age of 76.
“I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson of the Supremes,” Gordy said in a statement. “The Supremes were always known as the ‘sweethearts of Motown.’ Mary, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, came to Motown in the early Sixties. After an unprecedented string of number one hits, television and nightclub bookings,...
“I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson of the Supremes,” Gordy said in a statement. “The Supremes were always known as the ‘sweethearts of Motown.’ Mary, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, came to Motown in the early Sixties. After an unprecedented string of number one hits, television and nightclub bookings,...
- 2/9/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Mary Wilson, a founding member of the Supremes, died on Monday at her home in Las Vegas. She was 76. Wilson’s publicist, Jay Schwartz, confirmed the singer’s death to Rolling Stone, but did not reveal a cause.
The original Supremes — which also included Diana Ross and Florence Ballard — were one of Motown’s biggest and most consistent hitmakers, scoring 12 Number One hits from 1964 to 1969. With Wilson’s warm alto blending in with Ross’ feathery lead vocals and Ballard’s grittier delivery, Supremes hits like “Where Did Our Love Go,...
The original Supremes — which also included Diana Ross and Florence Ballard — were one of Motown’s biggest and most consistent hitmakers, scoring 12 Number One hits from 1964 to 1969. With Wilson’s warm alto blending in with Ross’ feathery lead vocals and Ballard’s grittier delivery, Supremes hits like “Where Did Our Love Go,...
- 2/9/2021
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Mary Wilson, a founding member of Motown legends The Supremes, has died at the age of 76.
Her friend and publicist Jay Schwartz confirmed that Wilson died suddenly at her home in Henderson, Nevada. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Motown founder Berry Gordy called Wilson a trailblazing diva after she signed for the record label in 1961 and remained with the original Supremes line-up until their final performance in 1970. In that time, they had 12 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including Baby Love and Stop! In the Name of Love.
In a statement, Gordy said: “I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson.
“The Supremes were always known as the ‘sweethearts of Motown.’ Mary, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, came to Motown in the early 1960s. After an unprecedented string of No. 1 hits, television and nightclub bookings,...
Her friend and publicist Jay Schwartz confirmed that Wilson died suddenly at her home in Henderson, Nevada. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Motown founder Berry Gordy called Wilson a trailblazing diva after she signed for the record label in 1961 and remained with the original Supremes line-up until their final performance in 1970. In that time, they had 12 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including Baby Love and Stop! In the Name of Love.
In a statement, Gordy said: “I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson.
“The Supremes were always known as the ‘sweethearts of Motown.’ Mary, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, came to Motown in the early 1960s. After an unprecedented string of No. 1 hits, television and nightclub bookings,...
- 2/9/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Mary Wilson, the celebrated singer, businesswoman and activist who co-founded the 1960s hit machine The Supremes as a 15-year-old Detroit teenager and was the group’s longest serving member, died Monday at her home in Henderson, Nevada. She was 76.
Her publicist confirmed the news to CBS on Monday night. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Born in Mississippi in 1944, Wilson moved to Detroit as a child and in elementary school became close friends with future Supreme Florence Ballard. The two would form the pop vocal group The Primettes in 1959 along with Diana Ross. Originally a quartet, the group was solidified as a trio after signing to Motown Records in 1961 and changing their name to The Supremes.
The Supremes — Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross — circa 1964 (Photo: Getty)
The Supremes were by far Motown’s biggest band of the 1960s, releasing 12 No. 1 singles, including “Where Did Our Love Go,...
Her publicist confirmed the news to CBS on Monday night. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Born in Mississippi in 1944, Wilson moved to Detroit as a child and in elementary school became close friends with future Supreme Florence Ballard. The two would form the pop vocal group The Primettes in 1959 along with Diana Ross. Originally a quartet, the group was solidified as a trio after signing to Motown Records in 1961 and changing their name to The Supremes.
The Supremes — Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross — circa 1964 (Photo: Getty)
The Supremes were by far Motown’s biggest band of the 1960s, releasing 12 No. 1 singles, including “Where Did Our Love Go,...
- 2/9/2021
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Mary Wilson, a founding and longest-running member of The Supremes, has died. She was 76.
She died suddenly on Monday evening at her home in Henderson, Nevada, her longtime friend and publicist Jay Schwartz said in a statement. No cause of death was given.
The trio of Wilson, Florence Ballard and Diana Ross formed the most well-known and successful iteration of The Supremes, the Motown girl group that would dominate the charts in the 1960s, breaking a host of chart records and become one of the best-selling female groups of all time.
With 12 number one hits on the Billboard ...
She died suddenly on Monday evening at her home in Henderson, Nevada, her longtime friend and publicist Jay Schwartz said in a statement. No cause of death was given.
The trio of Wilson, Florence Ballard and Diana Ross formed the most well-known and successful iteration of The Supremes, the Motown girl group that would dominate the charts in the 1960s, breaking a host of chart records and become one of the best-selling female groups of all time.
With 12 number one hits on the Billboard ...
Mary Wilson, a founding and longest-running member of The Supremes, has died. She was 76.
She died suddenly on Monday evening at her home in Henderson, Nevada, her longtime friend and publicist Jay Schwartz said in a statement. No cause of death was given.
The trio of Wilson, Florence Ballard and Diana Ross formed the most well-known and successful iteration of The Supremes, the Motown girl group that would dominate the charts in the 1960s, breaking a host of chart records and become one of the best-selling female groups of all time.
With 12 number one hits on the Billboard ...
She died suddenly on Monday evening at her home in Henderson, Nevada, her longtime friend and publicist Jay Schwartz said in a statement. No cause of death was given.
The trio of Wilson, Florence Ballard and Diana Ross formed the most well-known and successful iteration of The Supremes, the Motown girl group that would dominate the charts in the 1960s, breaking a host of chart records and become one of the best-selling female groups of all time.
With 12 number one hits on the Billboard ...
January was significant for The Supremes. It was on Jan. 21, 1961, that the group — then a quartet of 15-year-olds from Detroit called The Primettes — was signed to Berry Gordy Jr.’s Motown Records, setting it on a path to superstardom.
And it was on Jan. 14, 1970, that the group — by then a trio billed as Diana Ross & the Supremes (minus Florence Ballard, who was replaced by Cindy Birdsong in 1967 after struggling with alcoholism) — performed a final show at the New Frontier in Las Vegas.
“We sat outside Motown every day ...
And it was on Jan. 14, 1970, that the group — by then a trio billed as Diana Ross & the Supremes (minus Florence Ballard, who was replaced by Cindy Birdsong in 1967 after struggling with alcoholism) — performed a final show at the New Frontier in Las Vegas.
“We sat outside Motown every day ...
- 1/17/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
January was significant for The Supremes. It was on Jan. 21, 1961, that the group — then a quartet of 15-year-olds from Detroit called The Primettes — was signed to Berry Gordy Jr.’s Motown Records, setting it on a path to superstardom.
And it was on Jan. 14, 1970, that the group — by then a trio billed as Diana Ross & the Supremes (minus Florence Ballard, who was replaced by Cindy Birdsong in 1967 after struggling with alcoholism) — performed a final show at the New Frontier in Las Vegas.
“We sat outside Motown every day ...
And it was on Jan. 14, 1970, that the group — by then a trio billed as Diana Ross & the Supremes (minus Florence Ballard, who was replaced by Cindy Birdsong in 1967 after struggling with alcoholism) — performed a final show at the New Frontier in Las Vegas.
“We sat outside Motown every day ...
- 1/17/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Supremes' 'Merry Christmas' album was the first one off the shelfevery year, which in my house, growing up, marked the official beginning of the holiday season. We would trim the tree to this record and others to come. This is my absolute favorite and why I have sung that song now for years. In this video, they perform the song on The Ed Sullivan Show, with the Original Supremes Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. It aired on CBS on Dec. 4, 1966, and was unforgettable ... and indicative of the kind of preparation that was paid attention to by Motown, in presenting all of their acts.
- 12/13/2019
- by Norm Lewis
- BroadwayWorld.com
For nostalgic excitement there's no better '60s pop compendium than this! An impossibly eclectic mix of talent at the Santa Monica Civic, in a brilliantly produced live show recorded in the wonder of Electronovision! The lineup is incredible: The Rolling Stones, James Brown and Lesley Gore on the same stage? The T.A.M.I. Show; The Big T.N.T. Show Blu-ray Shout Select (Shout! Factory) 1964 / B&W / 1:66 & 1:85 widescreen / 112 + 93 min. / Electronovision / Collector's Edition / Street Date December 2, 2016 / 29.98 Starring T.A.M.I.: The Beach Boys, The Barbarians, Chuck Berry, The Blossoms, James Brown and The Flames, Marvin Gaye, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Lesley Gore, Jan & Dean, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Supremes, The Rolling Stones Toni Basil, Glen Campbell, Teri Garr, Jack Nitzsche, Leon Russell, Phil Spector, David Winters. T.N.T. David McCallum, Ray Charles, Petula Clark, Bo Diddley, Joan Baez, Phil Spector, The Ronettes,...
- 11/5/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Amber Riley, who has been preparing for this role ever since the first season of Glee, will soon play Effie White in Dreamgirls. Riley, who recently appeared as Addaperle in The Wiz Live!, will take the stage at the Savoy Theatre in the 1981 musical's November revival. White, an analogue for Florence Ballard, the ousted original member of the Supremes, gets the iconic torch song "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," which definitely helped Jennifer Hudson earn her Oscar when she played the role in 2006's film adaptation. Glee took full advantage of Riley's pipes — and the fact that her character was constantly passed over for the more conventional star Rachel Berry — to have her sing several of Effie's songs on the show. So you might say Riley's pretty well prepared.
- 2/5/2016
- by Jackson McHenry
- Vulture
[[tmz:video id="0_a3t5kj4w"]] Mary Wilson, one of the original Members of The Supremes, says her legendary girl group helped bridge the gap between blacks and whites. Mary showed up at The Whisky Friday night to see the amazing Darlene Love, and our photog asked about how she, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, broke the color barrier in traditionally white nightclubs. Billboard named The Supremes the biggest girl group in the history of music. Wait till you...
- 9/19/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
A random guy claims Sam Smith stole his hit song "Stay with Me" right out from under him, but using the guy's logic, he ripped off The Supremes. Mark Halper claims in a new lawsuit ... he cut a demo in 1986 of a song called "Don't Throw Our Love Away." He says it begins with the "phraseology and significant phrase, 'stay with me.'" Ergo ... Halper believes Sam Smith -- who uses the phrase "stay with...
- 4/8/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
By Anjelica Oswald
Managing Editor
Disney’s Into the Woods, director Rob Marshall’s film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Broadway musical, is aiming to land a number of Oscar nominations when the nominees are announced Jan. 15. The film opened on Christmas and currently ranks as the fourth highest-grossing Christmas Day release.
Marshall said he loved the musical after first seeing it and the idea to take the stage musical to the big screen was first introduced in the early 2000s after Marshall met with Sondheim to discuss adapting one of his musicals.
Into the Woods is Marshall’s fifth feature film and third musical feature, the first two which were Chicago (2002) and Nine (2009). Chicago dominated at the Oscars, but Nine didn’t fare as well.
Many Oscar predictions are banking on a supporting actress nomination for Meryl Streep’s performance as the Witch, which The Hollywood...
Managing Editor
Disney’s Into the Woods, director Rob Marshall’s film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Broadway musical, is aiming to land a number of Oscar nominations when the nominees are announced Jan. 15. The film opened on Christmas and currently ranks as the fourth highest-grossing Christmas Day release.
Marshall said he loved the musical after first seeing it and the idea to take the stage musical to the big screen was first introduced in the early 2000s after Marshall met with Sondheim to discuss adapting one of his musicals.
Into the Woods is Marshall’s fifth feature film and third musical feature, the first two which were Chicago (2002) and Nine (2009). Chicago dominated at the Oscars, but Nine didn’t fare as well.
Many Oscar predictions are banking on a supporting actress nomination for Meryl Streep’s performance as the Witch, which The Hollywood...
- 1/6/2015
- by Anjelica Oswald
- Scott Feinberg
Barbra Streisand's new rarities album Release Me (cute title, dear!) features eleven lovely tracks from all your favorite eras of Streisand supremacy. I'm particularly fond of "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," her Randy Newman cover from 1970 that's hypnotically melancholic. There've been tons of versions of that tune, and I think we're finally hearing the definitive take. And speaking of new takes: Let's commemorate Barbra's newest triumph with a short retrospective of great artists who've covered her. Not many are brave enough to try but these eight dames deliver a knockout just like crusty old Ryan O'Neal in The Main Event.
1. Donna Summer, "Papa, Can You Hear Me"
We begin with Barbra's "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" duet partner, the late and always fluffy Donna Summer, who enlivened the 1983 Academy Awards with a version of the nominated Yentl yarn, "Papa, Do You Hear Me" that has all...
1. Donna Summer, "Papa, Can You Hear Me"
We begin with Barbra's "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" duet partner, the late and always fluffy Donna Summer, who enlivened the 1983 Academy Awards with a version of the nominated Yentl yarn, "Papa, Do You Hear Me" that has all...
- 10/24/2012
- by virtel
- The Backlot
AMC's Supremes-like trifecta of hit shows (where Mad Men is Diana Ross, Walking Dead is Mary Wilson, and Breaking Bad is poor Florence Ballard, of course) has been under pressure lately, what with Frank Darabont's departure from Walking Dead and the uncertainty over Breaking Bad's future. Enter Kurt Sutter, the vaguely Geddy Lee-looking creator of FX's Sons of Anarchy. Sutter recently went on something of a tear via Twitter, airing quite a bit of AMC's dirty laundry, at least from his own perspective. "why darabont got fired - wiener. he held AMC hostage, broke their bank, budgets were slashed, shit rolled down hill onto gilligan and frank," went the first tweet, referring to Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, Breaking Bad's Vince Gilligan, and Walking Dead's Darabont, respectively. "darabont reacted strongly to slashed budgets. he made mistakes, he was fired. [...]...
- 8/12/2011
- Nerve
Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles, Anika Noni Rose, Dreamgirls Christopher Nolan – Inception: Biggest Oscar Snubs #3b In early 2007, Bill Condon's Dreamgirls suffered an Oscar fate similar to that of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight two years later. A musical based on the Broadway show inspired by the lives and loves of The Supremes' members Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard (later replaced by Cindy Birdsong), Dreamgirls, much like The Dark Knight, received nominations from the Producers Guild and the Directors Guild. Additionally, the film's cast — Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx, among others — was shortlisted in the Screen Actors Guild's Best Cast category. Also like The Dark Knight, Dreamgirls went on to garner a total of 8 Oscar nominations. Not one of those was in the Best Picture, Best Director, or Best Screenwriting categories. Now, some found the Dreamgirls omissions well-deserved. Many...
- 1/30/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
The promise of a biopic focusing on Supremes founder Florence Ballard is the inevitability of a killer sound track. It’s also the beauty that can be derived from great personal and professional pain. Fortunately, Spirit of Life Films – which is bringing Blondie: The Florence Ballard Story to the big screen – has found an unbelievably apt talent to take the role of Blondie Ballard. Faith Evans has her own professional and personal dramatics that have unraveled in the public eye – thanks most in part to her marriage to rap icon Notorious B.I.G. Her acting is untested, but she has the experiences to draw upon to go meta-method here and make something raw and intimate. Plus, on an obvious note, her singing is unparalleled. On the negative side, the film will be directed by Bille Woodruff – the man behind Honey, Beauty Shop and the direct-to-video Bring It On: Fight to the Finish. It...
- 11/9/2010
- by Cole Abaius
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Diana Ross may be the better known member of the Supremes, but Spirit of Life Films is working on making sure founding member Florence Ballard’s legacy is not lost in the girl group’s history. In conjunction with “Blondie” Ballard’s family, the company is tackling “Blondie – The Florence Ballard Story,” to be released in Summer 2011 with R&B singer Faith Evans as lead. The film is based on the book “The Lost Supreme” by Peter Benjaminson, with the script penned by Karen Spencer and Roy Fegan. Bille Woodruff (“Bring It On,” “Beauty Shop”) will direct. Ballard was one of the...
- 11/8/2010
- by Katie Hasty
- Hitfix
Faith Evans has reportedly been cast as the lead character in Blondie, a biopic about '60s Motown act The Supremes. According to Bleeding Cool, a press release confirms Evans as having been cast as original Supremes lead singer Florence Ballard, who was eventually replaced in the group. Blondie will be helmed by Honey director Bille Woodruff, with the screenplay, written by (more)...
- 11/7/2010
- by By Tom Ayres
- Digital Spy
Director Bille Woodruff (Beauty Shop, Honey) is reportedly planning a biopic based on he life of Florence Ballard, one of the original founding members of the Motown group The Supremes.
Ballard died of cardiac arrest at the age of thirty-two, in 1976.
Faith Evans has been cast as Ballard, with Taraji P. Henson reportedly being offered the role of Diana Ross – athough that piece of info has yet to be confirmed, so file it under “rumors.”
But the project is definitely in the works, and Faith Evans has been cast.
The film version of the 1981 Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, released in 2006, tells the story of a fictional group called “The Dreams,” whose career parallels that of The Supremes. Jennifer Hudson won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Effie White in that film (a character said to be a mirror of Florence Ballard, whom Hudson actually dedicated her award to, during her...
Ballard died of cardiac arrest at the age of thirty-two, in 1976.
Faith Evans has been cast as Ballard, with Taraji P. Henson reportedly being offered the role of Diana Ross – athough that piece of info has yet to be confirmed, so file it under “rumors.”
But the project is definitely in the works, and Faith Evans has been cast.
The film version of the 1981 Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, released in 2006, tells the story of a fictional group called “The Dreams,” whose career parallels that of The Supremes. Jennifer Hudson won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Effie White in that film (a character said to be a mirror of Florence Ballard, whom Hudson actually dedicated her award to, during her...
- 11/6/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
For his biography of Florence Ballard, former Detroit Free Press reporter Peter Benjaminson went back to the lengthy transcripts of the interviews he conducted with her himself, before her death in 1976 at age 32. Ballard—who was memorably ousted from The Supremes for challenging Diana Ross, for having a less radio-friendly voice, or for being an alcoholic, depending on who's relating the story—is back in the spotlight after 2006's movie musical Dreamgirls, making Benjaminson's The Lost Supreme: The Life Of Dreamgirl Florence Ballard somewhat timely. But he turns his first-rate primary source into a second-rate defense of Ballard, with his voice coming in louder than hers. Though Ballard, Diana Ross, and Mary Wilson began on equal footing in The Primettes (later The Supremes), the group's first number-one hit, "Where Did Our Love Go," pushed lead vocalist Ross into the foreground, if she wasn't already pushing herself. Ballard tried to...
- 5/15/2008
- by Ellen Wernecke
- avclub.com
Singing legend Diana Ross is a difficult and demanding boss who fires staff on a whim, according to a new biography. Author J. Randy Taraborrelli claims Ross fired her entire staff when unflattering stories appeared in the press and also blacklisted a number of former assistants she had fired. In Diana Ross - due for release in September - Ross is also accused of using her daughter Tracee to spy on staff and report back if they misbehaved, reports the New York Daily News. In one incident Taraborelli claims Ross' former personal assistant Michael Browne was chastised for failing to hide $100,000 worth of presents on a private jet carrying her and her daughters to Las Vegas. She is also accused of upstaging former Supremes band mate Florence Ballard during her own funeral, by announcing to the congregation over a microphone that she and fellow Supreme Mary Wilson "wanted to have a silent prayer." Taraborelli claims it was obvious "the last thing (Wilson) wanted to do was go up to the altar and be the centre of attention."...
- 7/3/2007
- WENN
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