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Nicky91 · 09-02-2021, 08:24 AM

Legendary Motown singer Mary Wilson has died aged 76, her publicist has confirmed.

The star, an integral member of soul pioneers The Supremes, died suddenly at her home in Las Vegas on February 8th. A cause of death is yet to be announced.

Long-term publicist Jay Schwartz confirmed that Wilson's funeral service will be held privately in accordance with current health and safety guidelines, but a public memorial will be scheduled for later in the year.

Along with band-mates Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, Wilson was at the forefront of the Motown sound after signing with the label in 1961 when she was 15-years old, originally as a member of The Primettes before the group changed their name.

Paying tribute to Wilson in a statement on Monday night, Motown founder Berry Gordy said: 'I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson of the Supremes.

'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, they opened doors for themselves, the other Motown acts, and many, many others. … I was always proud of Mary.

Cherie · 09-02-2021, 08:28 AM

oh no

joeysteele · 09-02-2021, 08:37 AM

Brilliant group were The Supremes.
Sad to hear this news of Mary Wilson.
R.I.P.

So many timeless classics from them.
both before and after Diana Ross left them too.

Ammi · 09-02-2021, 08:40 AM

...Mary Wilson...

..

arista · 09-02-2021, 08:50 AM

[Mary Wilson was born in Greenville, Mississippi, on 6 March 1944.
Her family moved to Chicago and later Detroit.
At primary school in Detroit,
Wilson met Florence Ballard while
singing in a school talent show.
In 1958, Ballard recruited Wilson and Diana Ross to
form the Primettes.
The group performed covers at local events
and made a name for themselves locally.
Aspiring to sign to Motown, Ross asked her
former neighbour, Smokey Robinson,
to get them an audition with Gordy.

Undeterred by Gordy deeming them
too young to sign,
the trio made themselves a regular
presence around his Hitsville USA studio
until he allowed them to make guest appearances
on records by other artists.
“It really was like walking into a Disneyland,”
Wilson told the Observer of the Motown studio.
“All these creative people.”
In January 1961, Gordy signed the group under the proviso
that they change their name.
At first they failed to make an impression
on the charts but in 1964 their
version of Holland-Dozier-Holland’s
Where Did Our Love Go topped the US
charts and reached No 3 in the UK.

It was the beginning of an international chart streak
that included Baby Love, Stop! In the Name of Love
and You Can’t Hurry Love.
The trio also became known for their
glamorous attire, and in 1966,
their album Supremes A’ Go-Go became the first
record by an all-woman group to top
the US album charts,
knocking the Beatles’ Revolver off the No 1 spot.]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/20...box=1612860220