The Supremes Co-Founder…Mary Wilson passes away at 76!

Mary Wilson, one of the co-founders of The Supremes, the most successful act on Motown Records in the 1960’s and the best selling female group in U.S. History and the world, has passed away at the age of 76. No cause of death has been given at this time. It was confirmed by her publicist Jay Schwartz. Prior to The Supremes, the group was known as the Primettes and started in 1959 and included Florence Ballard and Diana Ross. Motown’s founder Berry Gordy released statement saying,  “I was always proud of Mary,” Mr. Gordy said. “She was quite a star in her own right, and over the years continued to work hard to boost the legacy of the Supremes.” The Supremes had a slow start to seeing success, but after a string of hits like “Baby Love’ and “Stop in the Name of Love,” the rest is history.  The group underwent changes starting in 1967 with the replacement of Florence Ballard with Cindy Birdsong. In 1970, Diana Ross left the group, and the group lasted until 1977. There were always talks of a reunion between Mary Wilson and Diana Ross, the original members, but their differences never allowed that to happen. Mary Wilson and The Supremes, will forever be remembered as a legacy for women breaking barriers during tense time of civil rights and equality with their music!

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