Florence Ballard (of The Supremes) - Silent Night [Acapella]

[Vincent50]

Love this song by Flo and it was horrible that Berry didn't allow Flo and Mary to have a solo Christmas song on their Christmas album. Hell everone knew Diana was the lead but it would've given us fans a treat to hear the other girls sing at least one song. This song would've been a HUGE treat to hear Flo BELT out Silent Night. I remember my teacher asking me in 1966, "do the other girls sing for I get tired of hearing Diana sing?" I told her, "someitmes."

[TheReturnOfBigBear]

Flo should have gone to Atlantic Records, ABC made No Sense at all, unless Tommy Chapman saw some sort of Benefit from that deal?

[terrybigteekemp]

@MrTerranceBerrie You all are beating a dead horse. Even Flo said in an Ebony interview in 1969 that, "Mary Wilson and I always knew Diana had the most commercial type voice, so she took most of the leads." It shouldn't be a great debate, not if Flo knew and understood this fact. Flo's concern wasn't Diana singing lead, but her diminished role in the group.

[TheReturnOfBigBear]

Beautiful!, Well done!

[ramona2400]

@terrybigteekemp you are so right Marvin Gaye knew Flo was a "...hell of a singer" and he should know. As one listens to Flo Ballard, remember its not just her voice, but her spirit, her drama, her tones, united with the way Flo moves a song along carefree, yet dramatic in spite of any producers heavy or high handed notions of "...what to do with this woman". Flo was an intense singer, with the capability of bringing her mood and air to any song. Flo, taken in youth but still loved.

[ramona2400]

@terrybigteekemp Thank you doll - Flo Ballard was the only singer in the Supremes with a classically trained voice. Flo studied and was taught many styles of singing. Flo had a better vocal education than any of the girls, before she recorded at Motown. In Flo's ABC recordings, most of which are practice sessions and were never meant to be released, you can hear the skill of Flo's voice, rise about the sad arrangements. In history it remains a dirty shame what Motown did to Flo Ballard.

[terrybigteekemp]

@ramona2400 That's why I pay no more attention to those that say she can't sing. As Otis Williams said,"for Flo, singing was a righteous thing", Flo just loved to sing and she loved music. She knew how to hold those notes perfectly and had such great effective range. Flo was a GREAT singer regardless of what naysayers say about her voice. If Marvin Gaye said that she was a "hell of a singer" then I am not going against that.

[ramona2400]

Excuse me - this is DAMN NEAR OPERA and ACAPELLA to boot - You better work Miss Florence Ballard. Motown and Gordy knew what a great and versatile singer Flo was with a classically TRAINED voice, but kept that fact hid for a multitude of sinful reasons. From her resting place her voice still soars and hopefully will continue to be heard by all. Truly one Grand Diva - A Supreme singer opera. YOU HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN BLONDIE!!! Still loved and respected.

[terrybigteekemp]

@ramona2400 I love you for saying that Ramona. Her voice is so beautiful and so heavenly. Flo was trained since the age of 5 in the church, and evidently she was taught many different styles. "Pretty Baby" and "Let Me Go The Right Way" are other songs where opera like rifts can be heard coming out of Flo's vocals.

[MeetTheSupremes]

@terrybigteekemp Check out my vocal range video I posted recently...it contains both those tracks and you can hear how Flo's impressive vocal range spans over 3 octaves

[terrybigteekemp]

@MeetTheSupremes Yes, I saw it and was absolutely floored by it. I am so in love with her voice and the person. I appreciate the time and effort you spend into making Flo's voice heard.

[MeetTheSupremes]

@terrybigteekemp Thank you so much :D

[RedRoosterRoad]

0:54

I could just imagine everyone just looking at her like "DAYMN!"

[RedRoosterRoad]

@MrTerranceBerrie I agree. Florence had an R&B voice which was popular amount black artists at that time. Diana had the pop voice that Berry was looking for to cross over. But Florence wasn't one to sleep around. She was raped when she was about 17 and that made her very sceptical of men. In my opinion.

[MeetTheSupremes]

@MrTerranceBerrie While I agree with most of what you said but...Flo was not one to sleep around - most definately due to her rape (in which she brutally lost her virginity)...

[DetroitLives313]

A truly amazing and blessed performance. We miss you Flo!

[mafketays]

This is maybe the best recording by Flo I've heard.

The thing is, all three Supremes (Diana, Mary, Flo) were potential lead singers, which is not true of many girl groups.

But for whatever reason Berry was only interested in promoting and developing Diana. She was the foundation of the groups early commercial success but the neglect of Flo and Mary had a negative effect on them artistically. They could have been more than they were had all three had the chance to shine...

[SpazChat]

@mafketays For whatever reason? Let me explain the reasons. Diana had best voice type. I didn't say she had the best voice, I said she had the best voice type. Her voice was most versatile. She also had those angular looks to her face that was/is more popular with viewers.... better stage presence and charisma

[gerlsus]

@MrTerranceBerrie and also after my comment to you i heard the clip again and her voice was perfect and beautiful and more than enough vocal range to sing any song that ol' nasal Diana can sing. The proof is in the pudding with Diana's attempts in the pass to sabotage Flo's public appearances in Detroit. That was was so jealous it was pathetic that's why all of Detroit wanted to kill her when she showed up at Flo's funeral.

[gerlsus]

@MrTerranceBerrie the reason diana had nothing to worry about wasn't because of her voice, she had it made with Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson. Flo and Mary didn't have a chance. And when I hear her singing she had the voice and vocal range to sing anything Diana Ross. What you're hearing is Flo without the support and build that Diana Ross had, but then again, how can Flo and Mary compete against someone with a mattress strapped to her back!

[SpazChat]

@gerlsus , LOL, as if Diana had time for sleep, let alone constant fucking and sucking...

[Foxxxygirl27]

Florence Ballard got a voice and ever time i hear this i cry so good song  she can sing why she was not lead :)

[d1nonlystarahhh]

beautiful nd moving...

[proverbs1824]

This is so beautiful.....Florence truly had the voice. I think this song shows off her talent like no other song outside of Ain't That Good News; not that she does a bad job with O, Holy Night, either. Flo's voice was strong and potent! It's too bad ABC records didn't cultivate that potential. They had a diva on their hands and they let her get away! Thanks for posting this. Merry CHRISTmas to one and all!

[Ivanbelastegui]

Amen!. What a voice...

[Zairebabyphat]

SHES GRAT!!!!!! SHE WILL HAVe sONGS ThAT WiLL LIVE FOREVER WITH HER MEMORY.,

[gerlsus]

I don't care what NOBODY says, FLORENCE BALLARD REALLY HAD THE VOICE!!!!

No wonder Diana Ross was threatened by her. I finally got a chance to hear how good Florence REALLY sounds. They could have did a lot with Florence Ballard!!!!!

[pannoni1]

Ironically, Florence Ballard is to Thanksgiving as is Diana Ross is to Christmas (with Lynda Lawrence to Veteran's Day and Mary Wilson to New Year's.) In fact, I hate how Thanksgiving gets shoved into background to Christmas more than how Flo got pushed back to Diana.

[replyform]

I can't look at Florence Ballard and feel any sadness. There was nothing sad about her. She was beautiful, had a beautiful smile and a beautiful voice. The supremes had a perfect blend of voices that gave them that special sound. Less then 1% of all the people on earth make it to the top IN THEIR PROFESSION. Florence was in that 1%. 13 NUMBER ONE HITS WITHIN 4 YEARS. She gave us joy when she was here and thanks to video, she still does. Forever FLO

[rioboy13]

@replyform Flo DEFINATELLY "left her mark" I see a little bit of Flo in every talented singer who just ISN'T ALLOWED TO GROW AND SHINE. But honey! ALL FLO DID WAS SHINE!!! Even in the blended backgrounds....She was a STAR!!! People put WAY TOO MUCH credit to Diana "selling the records" Flo had MANY FANS of her own, many just COULDN'T even accept Cindy in her place.

[supreme60s]

The Babies Are So Adorable!

[MeetTheSupremes]

@supreme60s They sure are, those were Michelle and Nicole =D

[supreme60s]

@MeetTheSupremes Her Daughters look so much like her :)

[MeetTheSupremes]

@Def4Daph Yes a beautiful voice with a face and heart to match =) Thanks for commenting.

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[Suthyrngrl]

I think the best idea of how she really felt would be by watching Unsung on TVOne. That has been the only show so far that I have seen that actually has recordings of her talking about how she was put out of the group and other things. It also has interviews with friends and relatives.

[MeetTheSupremes]

@Suthyrngrl Yes I believe the interviews with Flo (well most) were excerpts from the interviews author Peter Benjaminson recorded with Flo in 1975. I have posted a few of those (with permission from Peter of course) on my channel =)

Thanks for commenting. Have a nice day.

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[binkle1]

The real Effie, but thin and just as beautiful! What a bad deal she got. When you compare this voice to Diana Ross, well, what can I say? Diana is talented, don't get me wrong, but I never thought she was beautiful, and I thought her ego was WAAAY too big.

[MeetTheSupremes]

I agree somewhat. It most definately is a shame =( if only Flo had the business sense to fend for herself and had the right people around her (such as a DECENT lawyer and husband). Thanks for commenting. =)

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[rioboy13]

BEAUTIFUL? What IS "Beautiful" Many of my friends who see my paintings of The Supremes nearly ALWAYS point to Flo as the "real fine one" I love ALL 3 Supremes, and find them ALL GORGEOUS in their individual looks. Mary is so pretty herself, and Diana had an IRRESISTIBLE smile...I TRULY love them all!

[MeetTheSupremes]

@rioboy13 I love them all too!! And this recording is just divine! Thanks so much for commenting :)

[MeetTheSupremes]

@tujock09 No problem =) Glad you love it like I do =)

Have a nice day.

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[MeetTheSupremes]

@tujock09 No - I know it's a shame. The closest thing to Flo's story in a film is Dreamgirls.

[Covellos1]

I wanted Flo to make it so bad! She's the only entertainer I vere cried about (whaen she died). I know I didn't KNOW her, but, there was something there that's never going to be there again. I'm so glad I gt to see her live.

[MeetTheSupremes]

@Covellos1 Aw =( When did you get to see her live?

[Covellos1]

I saw Flo right when Holland/Dozier/Holland came out at Michigan State. The line to get in walked right by their limo as they waited to get in themselves. I still remember seeing all three of their heads through the back window, all in a row (O:. They did Queen of the House and Diana was kidding Flo about being pg. Flo in this deep voice said "Not Me Honey!". It was a great show!

[MeetTheSupremes]

@Covellos1 Omg! Fab! =D thanks for sharing. So Flo was sharing a limo with HDH?

[Covellos1]

No, Flo was sharing the limo with Diana and Mary The Supremes sing Holland/Dozier/Holland was the name of the lp that had recently been released .

[blackteacher1]

What a Voice!

Beautiful...just beautiful!

Thank you for posting this.

[MeetTheSupremes]

@blackteacher1 No problem thanks for commenting =) Have a nice day.

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[Oldiesbuff925]

Ok I love Diana ross, The Diva herself...and for most part made Supremes what they were...but...clearly the one with the voice was Flo...RIP girl.

[MeetTheSupremes]

@Oldiesbuff925 I couldn't agree more =) Thanks for commenting.

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[bobbyc0117]

The true heart, and soul of the supremes. Florence had the voice of an angel.

[MeetTheSupremes]

@bobbyc0117 Most definately! =D Thanks for commenting.

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[MeetTheSupremes]

@tujock09 Yes, she could sing from Contralto all the way up to Soprano =D Thanks for commenting =)

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[notyme21]

I love this. I am recently disovering Flo Ballard and I am amazed. It is a shame that her talent was not showcased properly. I wish her story was known to more. It's a pity how the Motown "clan" treated her

[MeetTheSupremes]

@notyme21 Yes it is a pity =) That's one of the reasons I have this channel =) Thanks for commenting.

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[BARBIEDANCER1323]

Flo was very beatiful those pictures of her a goregous!

[Bok97]

Brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful.

[MeetTheSupremes]

@Bok97 Yes this is really quite touching =) Thanks for commenting =)

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[MeetTheSupremes]

@tujock09 Yes Flo could sing from Contralto right up to high Soprano. She did have a great voice. However, Diana's was more unique and gradually improved over time, whereas Flo clearly lost confidence in her abilities by the time she came to record for ABC Records. I think Diana was the rightful lead singer - but Mary and Flo were just as (if not more) capable of the role and should have recieved a lot more leads.

Thanks for commenting.

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[AllMemoriesFadeAway]

very beautiful voice...I heard this song many times before but never like this...it brought tears to my eyes...

[MeetTheSupremes]

=D Thanks for commenting.

Have a nice day.

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[tuzwol]

wow, incredible

[bigbackdoor]

Wow,such a clear,pure,beautiful voice.I have goosebumps.

**5 star rating**

[MeetTheSupremes]

=D thanks for commenting. Glad you like it.

Have a nice day.

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[foxxykid26]

Florence Ballard voice sound like Heaven  i love it and ever time i here this i love it more you are sure Miss Florence Ballard :(

[millymille1]

such a great voice still nshould be alive and still should be a singer:)love you flo.

[Zairebabyphat]

27 years later and her vocie is still beautiful.

[jacksinclaircool]

you could imagen mary and possible diane just stood in the doorway in awe of her when she sang this.

[iChromatic12]

Truly amazing voice, I heard this was one of her favorite songs to sing when she was a young girl. May she rest in peace.

<3

[SoFulStar]

That was Beautiful!!

I wish things would have turned out better for her!

Her story is so sad!

[MeetTheSupremes]

Perfectly said. Thanks for commenting SoFulStar =D

Have a floriffic day =)

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[MeetTheSupremes]

Very right. She had some pipes =D

I wish I could post the full versions of Silent Night and Oh Holy Night (as I made a new video for Oh Holy Night) but the video got blocked as soon as I posted it =(

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[TGTSTS]

I think "Silent Night" was one of her best pieces. She sounded astounded, and her vocals are haunting. Very rich, strong, and moving. Its such a shame this track (the fully orchestrated track) went unreleased until 2003, 38 years after the original release and 27 years after Flo's death. The acapella version is beautiful, too.

[MeetTheSupremes]

Yes such a shame! They should have put one of the versions on the original release of the "Merry Christmas" album - it would have made a nice change.

Thanks for commenting =)

JLG | JonathanLGardner

[BabyELimited]

Once a Supreme, always a Supreme.

*Rest in Peace, Flo*

[MeetTheSupremes]

=D

Thanks for the comment =)

[heartandsoul22]

I love you Florence.

[MeetTheSupremes]

=D lol

[Jaydon79]

Florence knew she sung the hell out of "Ain't That News" I love O Holy Night as well...What the hell I love everything by Flo..R.I.P

[MeetTheSupremes]

Oh she sure could saang!

I really want to post those songs (I even made a new video for OH HOLY NIGHT) but those songs keep getting taken down when they are uploaded and I don't want to lose this account like I did JonathanLGardner

[SupaStarry]

Go head Flo!

[MeetTheSupremes]

Haha =)

Thanks for commenting.

- JLG [JonathanLGardner]

[SupaStarry]

Ur welcome...Flo's my girl, Buttered Popcorn is my favorite Supremes song! :)

[MeetTheSupremes]

Buttered Popcorn, Your Heart Belongs To Me, Baby Don't Go and Let Me Go The Right Way are my favs from their debut album (Those DJ Shows and Hey Baby would have been other favs too if they had been featured on the original release)

[cottonceena]

Wow, thanks for posting this rare treasure! This is one of the best vocals by Flo, in my opinion. I like this range much better than the lower one in hits like "Buttered Popcorn". Her true soprano ability is heard in the intro to "Pretty Baby", a hit they had on the Lupine label, before Motown. And what a rare and sweet photo of her and the baby twins!

[MeetTheSupremes]

Actually PRETTY BABY and BUTTERED POPCORN weren't hits - though Buttered Popcorn could be considered a hit as it was very popular in the Detroit area (DJs loved it apparently but Berry didn't want that sound for the group and did not promote it avidly).

I LOVE Flo's soprano but I also love when she belts out on HEY BABY and BUTTERED POPCORN.

I would have loved it if someone had written a song for her that got to show all of it in one song lol

[jacksinclaircool]

the funk brothers must have been like. "holy crap"

*not that shes bad just load!*

[msongs]

she sounds much better singing at this register than when she is singing with her low voice

[MeetTheSupremes]

I agree. She could sang great lower down but as a soprano I think she was more comfortable belting out the higher notes - like on PEOPLE

[MarvelettesDude]

i wish you had the whole song

[MeetTheSupremes]

I do have it and I have said it many times -_- lol

I can't upload it - it will just get removed.

[Covellos1]

I never put anything ON You-Tube. WHy do they remove things? Just wondering. WE decides what's OK and what isn't?

[MeetTheSupremes]

@Covellos1 The record labels own the copyrights to many of the songs I post, and therefore they decide whether it stays or goes. Why they take it down, I don't understand. It's promotional and fully complies with the Fair Use Act, PLUS they aren't posting this material!!!!

[MeetTheSupremes]

Aww.

I think people dismiss her sweeter, pop recordings because they just want to hear the soul. But listening to songs like STAY IN LOVE and EVERYTHING WONDERFUL you hear that she could have done GREAT in Pop music, not just R&B.

[MeetTheSupremes]

I have recently been making filtered acapellas of Supremes songs and I did People =D

I used to have People on my old account JonathanLGardner.

I will probably make a new video for it, then add the acapella at the end =D

[MeetTheSupremes]

It sure is =)

I see you're a big Flo fan like me =D

[MeetTheSupremes]

Thanks for watching and commenting =)

I wish you all the best in the new year.

[MeetTheSupremes]

Hehe - that's why I sent it to everyone =)

Thanks for watching and commenting.

Have a wonderfully s u p r e m e christmas.

[Jomei2810]

Florence And Her Clear And Strong Voice Touched My Heart. Rest In Peace, Beautiful Lady!

[MeetTheSupremes]

Thanks for taking the time out to watch this video and comment it - I'm guessing I sent it to you on my other account =P

Anyway...have a wonderfully s u p r e m e christmas.

[lindasantoss]

muito bom !!!!

[laxamr2]

brings a tear to my eye. Merry Christmas, Flo.

[MeetTheSupremes]

Ah thanks for the comment.

I tried to post OH HOLY NIGHT - as I had made a NEW video for it but youtube rejected it because of copyright. I fear the same will happen with SILENT NIGHT - it just isn't fair.

[Vincent50]

So true. She had a natural, raw talent and had she developed in ways of Ross vocally she would've gone far with proper management of course. It seems every turn Flo made there was nothing right in terms of her best interest. Peter Benjamin the author of the latest book on Flo said she started out with some good folks in her corner but somehow that all changed. Many feel her beau had a lot to do with this since she made him her manager.

[MeetTheSupremes]

I couldn't agree more!

Such a shame...but it's comforting to know that she had got herself together again.

Thanks for commenting.

[MeetTheSupremes]

Yes. Thanks for commenting - be sure to check out the other vids I have posted of Flo =)

[MeetTheSupremes]

Well yes in terms of raw, natural talent certainly =) She had the potential to be so much better though if she had half as much as development as Diana.

Thanks for commenting.

[Vincent50]

Flo Ballard had the voice and the talent. Sadly she went nowhere with it while with the Supremes and after. Her talent needed direction the same way Aretha's needed after finally leaving the jazz scene. Look how she burst into SOUL and became the Queen of Soul. Had Florence kept on track she might've made her own mark in this business.

[MeetTheSupremes]

The thing is Flo did try even after ABC to get her name about, performing at someone's inauguration - or however you spell it LOL - and doing other things. If only she had better management. Such a shame. Such a waste of a beautiful woman.

Thanks for commenting.

[LeatherMaster01]

One talent that totally ignored and underutilized in lieu for someone else.

[DetroitD60]

Beautiful.....absolutely beautiful. Thanks.

[MeetTheSupremes]

Yes it really is. Thanks for commenting.

More christmas from The Supremes is coming =)

[soulsistah100]

Beautiful and heartfelt.

[MeetTheSupremes]

Absolutely.

Thanks for commenting. I will be re-posting more of my vids from my disabled account soon =)

[KnowWhatIThink]

Sorry - meant the hit the "thumbs up", but accidentally hit the "thumbs down". Please forgive me Flo.

[MeetTheSupremes]

LOL. The comments have loads of + anyway so don't worry.

Thanks for watching/listening.

Have a wonderfully s u p r e m e christmas.

[Individuell83]

GO FLO

=) love it so clear and beautiful like a diamond

love you honey <3

[MeetTheSupremes]

Yes I agree.

Thanks for commenting Marvin =P

[Individuell83]

My pleasure Johnny JonJon gardner =D

[Whitepussyass]

Thank you for posting. Love to hear the entire version. Shame on Motown for not releasing this on the original Supremes "Merry Christmas" album back in 1965.

[MeetTheSupremes]

Yes it is a shame.

Thanks for commenting.

[stawberry19919]

Sang it Flo!!!!!!

[MeetTheSupremes]

Haha yes.

Thanks for commenting.

[pandallama1234]

PLEASE FOE THE LOVE OF GOS UPLOAD THE REST OF THAT SONG. you know lots of rock and pop stars have died young, but have never really left much of a legacy or much controversy but Flo mmm hmm honey it is truly tragic that she died soo young, and yet diana still managed to make the funeral about diana, when she came up the limo to the end when they played some day we'll be together, but i still blame berry Gordy because if he hadn't fired her we won't be in this mess. berry Gordy is very stupid.

[MeetTheSupremes]

OMFG

THE FULL SONG IS ALREADY POSTED!

SEARCH FOR IT, INDIVIDUELL83 HAS POSTED IT!

Do NOT ever ask me to post something before you search for it

[Individuell83]

yes I did but it's still blocked xD