Dreamgirl: My Life As a Supreme

I enjoyed reading this book. I was a 7 years old when I started noticing the Supremes. By then they were Diana Ross and the Supremes. So it was great to learn their musical history. What happened to Flo and Mary was UNFAIR. All the girls were talented singers and when they sung together they created beautiful harmony. It was Unfair that Motown did not try to develop them as singers but pushed them in the back like back-up singers. However, I still believe most of the decisions concerning the Supremes, that broke down the harmonious relationship between the girls, came from Mr. Dictator, Berry Gordy who was 15 years older than Diana.I have read other books and have seen many documentaries on the Supremes on youtube. I think Mary's book ranks very high on that list because she also included how Florence felt with all of the changings. Florence was the lead at first. She recorded some tracks as lead but they never had a hit, they were called the No-Hit Supremes. I believe Diana Ross sleeping with Berry Gordy influenced him to try her as lead replacing Florence. But sleeping with your boss does not Guarantee that the public will buy your records. Since DR as lead, was selling Supreme records and making BG money, he wasn't gonna mess up his winning formula. Her high pitched voice fit the bubble gum songs he produced that were written by HDH.If DR was lead and the records were not selling, no amount of sex, would have kept her in that position. BG is a business man first and is all about making money. Even in her book, Mary said he was sleeping with other artists, other than DR.1. In 1944 DR was Born. BG was born in 1929 and is 15 years older.2. In 1964 DR takes lead at the age of 20 and the Supremes have their first hit. BG is 35 years old. BG is older, richer, and is a lot wiser than a 20 year old girl. This man is a short black man who became rich during the Jim Crow era with a small loan, less than $1k. He was beating the bigger white record companies at their own game. His ego became so out of control that he probably became very mean and condescending.He has a controlling narcissistic personality. IMO, Diana does what he tells her to do to stay employed at Motown.Let's face it, DR is skinny and flat chested in 1964. Shaped like a little skinny boy, sometimes her head appears bigger than her body in some tapes. IMO, Flo and Mary have better bodies. BG probably hit on tall, stacked Flo and she rejected the short tyrant. It's apparent he does not believe in monogamy, since he has had many ex- wives and women and 8 kids.3. In 1967 the Supremes become Diana Ross and the Supremes. DR is only 23 years old BG is 38. He is still more mature mentally than she is.BG had made Smokey lead of the Miracles earlier and renamed the group Martha and the Vandellas to Martha Revees and the Vandellas. So the idea to rename the Supremes is his.Berry Gordy could have tripled his money by investing in Mary and Flo. Example Take Destiny Childs. Both Kelly and Michelle did acting and solo cds. Unfortunately, he only thought DR was marketable at that time in history and invested his money and time to groom her. He wanted to make DR a star of Music, Movies, TV, etc. and he did just that. DR eventually leaves to go to RCA, to get away from the controlling boss.Berry Gordy ripped off Florence and Mary, the founding members of the Supremes. They made him millions yet when Florence left the group, she got hardly any substantial amount of money. I believe she tried to sue Motown for back royalties, much later, but she lost that suit. HDH left Motown and sued the company, but they reached an out of court settlement.BG lost the Jackson 5 to Epic because he was too controlling and did not want to give them a bigger share of the pie.Manager Joseph Jackson said he was tired of BG ripping the J5 off and took his boys to Epic and they became the Jacksons. Berry Gordy lost the King of Pop, Michael Jackson to Epic records because he lacked the vision to see he had a diamond in a little boy's body.

What a great book. Not only great insight into the Supremes, but into the entire Motown enterprise, and the recording industry as well. One of the best anecdotes was how the English invasion chaps, like the Beatles, expected the Supremes to be urban, hip, edgy types, like current female rappers, or something like that. And they were taken back to see that the girls were kind of square - make that, well raised and responsible - compared to the wild, almost depraved English rock and rollers. Just one of many great nuggets in the book.Some of it is very sad. Showed how the entertainment business will use you when you're hot, and then throw you out like a used condom when they think they don't need you anymore. Even all time greats like Holland-Dozier-Holland got the shaft. And then there's the tragic story of Flo Ballard, who is still beloved by many, especially here in Detroit.You got the feeling that Mary was totally candid in this account. She told the good and the bad, including about herself, in a non-judgmental way.Highly recommended.

Thank You Mary Wilson for leaving the World with this precious gift. Also Thank You for Always Speaking Up For Florence Ballard and Making Sure the World knew her story also

The book is in perfect condition and is very clean

Good Read

A good book

Mary Wilson pulls no punches, she tells it like it was. I enjoyed learning how she was raised, and how other soon to be well known singers got their start. Loved how she told the dirt on 'Diane'. After about 3/4 of the way through, though, I got tired of hearing about so many different people-- most I didn't know. I might have heard of them but didn't know anything about them and it just became too much. I also didn't care for the fact that she had no problems having relations with married men, and seemed to have no shame. I realize most people think it's the man who does the cheating, but IF a woman knows he's married then I feel she's just as much to blame. There is a girl code.

The book is great! So much information fact or opinion I don’t care it’s a great read. Ps. After purchase I met Mary Wilson and she signed my copy!

fantastic readbeautiful lady

Good read

Read this book till it fell apart!

Good Read

well worth reading