The Supremes timeline

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

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

Legend

Type codes

T	Event type
G	Changes to group lineup/name
L	Life events including births, deaths, weddings, and divorces
PA	Performance: audition
PC	Performance: concert
PR	Performance: radio broadcast
PT	Performance: TV broadcast
RA	Release: album
RE	Release: EP
RF	Release: film or video
RS	Release: single
M	Music
MR	Music for radio
V	Video (film, TV)
O	Other events

Location codes

Event location	L
Germany	GER
Italy	ITA
Japan	JAP
United Kingdom	UK
United States	US
Other	O

1930s

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

1940s

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

1950s

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

1960

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

1961

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

1962

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

1963

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

1964

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

1965

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

1966

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

1967

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

1968

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

1969

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

1970s

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

1980s

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

1990s

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

2000s

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

2010s

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

See also

• The Supremes discography

References

1. Wilson, Mary (1999). Dreamgirl & Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme.
2. Whitburn, Joel (2007). Top Pop Singles: 1955–2006.
3. Whitburn, Joel (2005). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004.
4. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums. pp. 541–542.
5. Whitburn, Joel (2006). Top Billboard Albums: 1956–2005.
6. Whitburn, Joel (1999). Top R&B Albums: 1965–1998.
7. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Billboard Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003.