It is all here, in FLO'S OWN WORDS, just listen you will hear the story that both Wilson, and Turner told in thier bio's. Here more clearly you have Flo's actual own story in her very own words. Just listen carefully and Flo's truth is perfectly clear as to what really happened to her. Flo states it was Milton Jenkins NOT Smokey Robinson as he claims that took Flo Mary and Diana to Motown. Flo trusted and had faith in Gordy, and he used her and Mary and even Diana in the end.
nobody say nothing about that..only because diana is a woman she have to be judge...she was young,all the girls were young and show business is a though place...so think twice before say bad things
IMHO berry and diana had their fault BUT I think that flo wasn't an angel either. She was a strong woman and I can't see her as a "poor victim"... sorry but she did wrong too...and y'all are too quick to judge what was going on there,nobody know for sure...even the story between berry and diana is take with too much cynicism,I think that they really love each other and it wasn't only a business strategy by diana side and call her bitch...marvin gaye married anna gordy and...
Al yall saying this moral and walking on folks stuff because yll aint in there shoes unless yll get in a group and get famous no lie i proably woulda done wat diane did no lie yll saying moral when it comes to money yll cant say something
I LOVE THE SUPREMES FLO especailly but I would like to correct everone who think they were friends they where co workers the where close you couold say in a way but if they didnt sing together they would not have had any other comrade they were singing partners who shared a stage just like those of you who work you are not Friends with your co workers or schoolmates its the same with them so please loose the best friend stuff
I can't help but notice all of the controversy among us Supremes fans...I've got questions that I'd like to ask all of you: If you were in a group where everyone was allowed and encouraged to sing lead-and, suddenly you are relegated to the background with very little chance of singing lead again -HOW WOULD YOU FEEL??
2) WOULD ANY OF YOU WANT FAME SO BADLY THAT YOU'D WALK OVER YOUR "BEST FRIENDS" TO GET IT??
3)Would you turn your back on your morals and friends for fame? Just asking.
catheyeluvsmusic>>> If your question is directed to Diane Ross & Berry Gordy the answer is al ready know world wide ! Yes, they will sell their souls to the devil for fortune and fame, and it looks like they did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course I would'nt be happy with that, I would have read the contract to find out what the deal was. When Flo left they gave her papers to sign she didn't even read them and signed? When she got lawyers in to sue, they came back from motown with more papers to sign and she did'nt read them either?? so she only had herself to blame, Don't get me wrong I Love her voice and feel sorry for her Mary and Diana were in the same boat til they got wise and brought in the lawyers to read their contracts
Berry and smokie didn't f**k up anybody, that's the music industry, You sign a contract, you get an advance, or in their case $250.00 a week wages, you make a record, the money comes in - your manager gets a cut, you pay for the recording and promotion, the writers of the song get a cut the publishers get a cut and because youve had an advance or a weekly wage YOU GET NOTHIN thats how it has always worked and still works today.
$225 a week?? Damn! That is fucked up how Berry and Smokey were doing them. Dreamgirls touched on it, but sooner or later a documentary will be made exposing the good and the bad about Motown.
flo probably wouldn't give his ass the time of day in the sex arena, so he settled for skinny, ugly diane ross. easier to lay and manipulate. gordy couldn't handle a real woman, and flo was all that and more. she intimidated the SHIT out the little man, so she had to go. talent couldn' save her, because her gift meant NOTHING to gordy, so he kept devaluing her until he foced her out. talk about emotional abuse!!! hey, if flo was an alcoholic, it would be understandable. FLO WAS SUPREME!
dick, and he bossed the others around and played head games with them. he was the big fish in a small pond at the time, much like ike turner, in the early days in st louis. they both had an eye for talent, and that was their streak of genius. and look at what a pool of talent he had to choose from. he screwed people over, as do 99% of successful business people. look at martha reeves, that child could sing! just an example of who got his attention, and who he put in the background.
it's not a racist issue here, and it's not one black person sticking it to another, either. the only operative color here is GREEN. it's what turns people of any race against one another. how could gordy do it? because he like others don't give a shit for one another in this world. hell, people will sell their children, their mother, whatever for a fucking buck. why shouldn't he? gordy was a small manipulative man, who was a control freak because he was insecure. he had ross hanging off
I never understood why Diana Ross was jealous. I mean obviously she sang better......... But otherwise..... WHY?? Diana was also jealous of Aretha Franklin.... But that's a different subject. Check your local listings......... The show UNSUNG will be doing a special on Florence Ballard & The Supremes Next Sunday 07/06/09 at 8:00. EST.
both aretha(TQOS) and flo had better voices, and FACES, jeez, ross was ugly and anorexic(don't know that for sure). mary wilson, same thing, she's beautiful with a killer voice. if flo wasn't the 'front' singer, then by rights, mary should've been as far as singing talent is concerned. ross knew and knows she has no talent by comparison, and was only promoted because she pulled the blowjob card. like britney and christina...we all know who the singer is there, but who was 'on top'?
@erzebetb Yeah flo did have a stronger voice than Diana Ross and she wasn't all that pretty, the real reason why Flo gained so much weight was because she was pregnant
the Interviewer keeps repeating about how wonderful + glamourous the Touring was. Bus Rides and a $225.-per-Week Allowance doesn't sound THAT-great. Limo Rides are a Tax Deduction as are Mink Coats that the Girls were allowed-to-wear but didn't-own ... oh , and Those Millions of Other Dollars that Berry Gordy / Motown Records were "investing"/"saving" for the Group ??? was THAT Money EVER "accounted-for" ???
it HURTS TO HEAR THE TRUTH ABOUT THE SUPREMES.. BARRY AND DIANA.. FLORENCE WAS ABOUT TO COME OUT WITH A BOOK AND THE GUY RECORDED THIS TO HELP WITH THE BOOK. BUT BARRY PUT A STOP TO IT.. AND IT NEVER CAME OUT UNTIL AFTER THE DREAM GIRL MOVIE CAME OUT...
Listen people if you can't say something nice you should say nothing, none of you was there none of you know the real, what ever went down was fowl we can see that all day and Flo could sing. Diana was Berry's bitch everyone with since knows thats true I'm from Detroit and the punk how side go fuck your mom to DetroitD60 should be put off YouTube and on top of that he is listening to our Music so stop hateing on the USA find your our music trick or are you gay respect the Brother's mom PUNK !
Yimheretoday could you please find your hero Diana Ross on another clip. Your wasting your time by watching someone your not thrilled about. Please grow up or please get some help.
Hear ye Hear ye you Flo haters. If you can't stand Florence, then don't continue to go on her stuff here on youtube. It doesn't make any sense at all for you to waste your time on someone you're not to thrilled about it. I just like to point that out cause you haters don't make any sense at all.
So Diana Ross is an alcoholic and prescription drug abuser. Everyone knows that. That's why she had to go to rehab....TWICE in recent years! Talk about Amy Winehouse. LOL!!!!
Florence never got arrested for DUI or sent to rehab. Your girl Diane did and is still a lush after all that! I'm waiting for your usual racist name calling in response. Come on, now don't let me down. LOL!
This interview, in a way, was very hard to hear. In the beginning of it, Flo sounded very broken and still devastated. I think that it is even more sad that Flo did not live long enough to really "boom" like she would have had she made that comeback. Flo did the wrong thing in defining her happiness in other people. If she had not, then Flo would not have sank in the deep depression that she did and very well may have survived today. R.I.P. Flo....
In my opinion,Mr. Gordy used all three of those girls to his advantage.. they were mere pawns in a twisted game that was grossly unfair and undeserved. They were just high school kids, for God's sake-- they didn't know any better than to assume that Gordy was going to take care of them and do right by them. The man actually lost the Marvelettes' name gambling at a casino.... it seems very clear to me that he didn't care about anybody but himself!why do you think more than 1/2 of the acts LEFT?
I'd also like to point out, that she was professionally undone by Berry & Diane. Berry wanted to control her and he couldn't. Diane was a bitch toward her & Mary. I'm not blaming Diane but I sure do believe that it was Berry Gordy Jr, who tore them girls apart.
Flo needs to accept responsibility for her own life. $225.00 a wk when they were selling millions of records....??? well thats her fault.bet berry & diane went laughing all the way to the bank.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
oool i know the truth hurts capricorn2013, its natural to want to shoot the messenger. bet you're on "aide to dependent children" like your boozing idol flo.
Its kinda hard to accept respncsibillity WHEN YOUR DEAD, and of course Diane didnt have a problem, she was the one being pushed out in front, Mary spoke about the same exat thing
I also feel like flo gave up too quick cuz she started da supremes, well primettes. I would of kissed sum ass n, made my money i don't care wat berry said i would laughed at him n kept it movin.
Rite yimheretoday i don't see why everbody want's to keep blaming diane she wuz part of da group also.Berry knew wat he wuz doing although he could of handled it better but, if i were flo i would stayed in da group jus a lil bit longer till diane left n, stayed wit mary n, made dat money.Having too much pride n,dignity won't get u no where in life u have to kiss sumbody ass in life in order to be successful.I don't care wat yall think it's da truth.I know sumbody on here done kissed sum ass.
antoineboi, i don't know why every one keeps blaming diane for Flo's behavior. you're right Mary stayed in the group and kept it alive for many years. flo was getting drunk, not showing up for performances, not showing up in the studio, acting out her frustration. Mary made millions eventually and flo would have also.
(Also, just to put it out there, I think this is the interview that comes with the book, since in the radio show audio that's on YouTube featuring Maxine promoting her book, bits of this interview are played.)
I was wondering - does anyone know if this is the interview that comes with Maxine Ballard's book? On her website it says that if you buy her book, "The True Story of Florence (Blonidie) Ballard" through the website, you'll get a CD containing Flo's last interview. Is this, indeed, that interview?
Just listen to her part on "After All" if there's any doubt as to her talent (for any one THAT ignorant (to not already know) who may read this post). She's the first verse. and was CLEARLY the best singer in The Supremes.
She was SO Supremely Talented (no pun)...it's nothing less than a horrible, horrid tragedy that she died so early and was so misused and abused by gordy & co. and her 'friends'.
Why is it everytime these clips are shown everybody has to play the blame game? Just enjoy the clips with out all the fuss, none of us was there to really have anything to say one way or the other.
The truth was Mary Wilson could have invited Flo back to the group when Diana left and she didnt. She could have helped Flo with her mortgage, she didnt. Everyone blames Diana Ross just becos she wasn't a failure.
Are you crazy or just nuts? The Supremes were still under contract to Motown Records after Diane left and guess who STILL owned Motown Records after Diane left? BERRY GORDY JR.! Duh! Get real or get some help!
I love Diana Ross. There is no video or recording that can make me not like her. In 2005 Florence Ballards kids attended Diana's concert in Detroit. Diana paid for Lisa Ballards surgery and years ago opened a trust fund for them. So all of the haters can eat shit. Her kids don't hate her (otherwise they would have written a damn book) only the haters and their conspiracy theory.
You don't know that to be true about paying for any surgery. That trust fund was only "peanuts" and that came directly from a Ballard Family member! $10,000 ain't shit for someone that allegedly had millions! You also don't know whether they hate her or not. I do know that they were about to kick Rhonda Ross ass in NYC in 2003. So you go munch on some shit and then promptly drop dead when you are finished!
Hey D60 why were they about to kick Rhonda's ass? I've heard a couple of things about Ms. Rhonda. Someone said that she was down-to-earth. Jamie (of Sister 2 Sister) once wrote that she'd heard Rhonda could have quite the attitude. Then someone else wrote that Diana didn't treat Rhonda very well. What's real 411, hit-me-up.
Here's the 411. In March of 2003 at the Rhythm & Blues Foundation Awards, the Supremes were honored. Mary Wilson went over to say hello and hug Rhonda. Rhonda pushed Mary away causing the Ballard girls to jump to Mary's defense and went to beat Rhonda up.They had to be physically restrained....
Does anyone have or has seen a picture of Florence Ballard "heavy", fat or overweight while she was in the Supremes? I have seen several hundred pictures of the group and haven't found one yet personally.
I have, although she was very pretty, at one-point-in-time Florence had become very heavy. She looked as if she'd been through it. I had the book Call Her Miss Ross. There are some revealing pictures in there. Diana could be a complete asshole. And Florence whipped her ass good once.
Sour grapes!!All I hear from Flo(if it indeed is Flo)is sour grapes!She obviously never heard "Don't hate the player-hate the game".People forget that show business means "to show" but it also means "handle yo business".Flo and Mary showed but they didn't quite handle their business-at least to its fullest potential.Truth is-they just didn't have the commerciallity and charisma that "out-front girl" Diana had.Diana had was the true talent and she knew how to play the game-whatever the game was!
You sound silly. Of course this is Florence Ballard giving the interview. What does "don't hate the player-hate the game" means? That doesn't even make sense. I think Florence and Mary knew how to handle their business a much as any young woman in their early twenties. They just didn't give the boss a blowjob to be that "out-front girl".....
If you consider sleeping with the boss to get ahead handling business, then yes Diane was a great businesswoman (however, you'll find most people use a different word for that)
no flo wasn't going to sleep with the boss she'd just give it away to some poor loser from the projects. all she wanted to do was get drunk and collect a welfare check. don't blame diane cause she knew how to work her koochie to her own advantage. there was a lock on her koochie and you had to be a multi-million aire to get it. smart woman.
diane has plenty of self respect and adulation from the whole world. she used her money maker in more ways than one. lol, diane was in a relationship with berry... thats not prostitution.
you're a hater, don't insult me because flo was a lazy fat bored welfare mother nothing more nothing less. if those were the goals she had for her life she achieved them. diana is still the worlds premiere superstar diva apart from berry, he may have been getting that koochie but the rest of the world wasn't and they bought her records and made her a superstar.
thanks for the compliment, to put me with diane is the ultimate compliment. last time i checked she was a 2008 kennedy center award honoree one of the nations highest honors. she must of done something right. you're problem is you're impressed with welfare mothers.
he didn't honor Ross the kennedy center did. he didn't even know who diana ross is more than likely. the only black woman he knows is Condie Rice bush said about her "that's my black pussy"
but talk about a drunk; flo was the biggest drunk in motown's history.
what truth? she was a young girl with an average voice, what did she think was suppose to happen? she should have given berry a good BJ that would have did wonders for her career.
ok, i'm sure she thought the group should be more balanced but thats not the way things worked out, it was much more than diane sleeping with berry, it was a business decision for the most part. all artists starting out have to kiss but... she was a kid what did she expect was going to happen, you have to play the game to get ahead. she should have learned that. Mary hung in there and maintained a career and flo was more talented than mary, she could have had a decent career.
Check out my new video, I just uploaded it. It's a different interview of Florence, it's 6 minutes of Peter Banjaminson's one (soz that's all I have of the 8 hours)
Flo we know they did you dirty honey. Motown made great music but MAN, they really ran their artist into the ground and many of them prematurely into the grave. Not one of these artist should be wanting for anything and should be set up for life. It's a drag...Paul Williams, Mary Wells, the Funk Brothers,Flo and so many others. the way they longd*ck'd folk was/is/eternally a crime. I wonder if Gordy is haunted by all of their ghosts every night in his mansion
I have "Dreamgirls" and its not mentioned in there. I take it that Mary Wilson wrote another book called"Supreme Faith" i try and find that book. Thanks alot for your reply.
You will find a far better account of Flo's fall, Chapman's death, and Mary's role in Tony Turner's book ALL THAT GLITTERED: My Life with the Supremes. He knew Flo since he was a teenager and road managed for Mary after she left the Supremes.
Thanks branchwater7 I picked up the book " All That Glittered" by Tony Turner.Its says that Tommy Chapman was shot and killed in a pool hall in 1984.Thanks for the info.
I have "Dreamgirls" and its not mentioned in there. I take it that Mary Wilson wrote another book called"Supreme Faith" i try and find that book. Thanks alot for your reply.
Florence.....very sexy woman lol! I get so pissed to see how she got treated by that asshole Berry Gordy but oh well. All we can do is learn from this situation and just remember the music industry is a very funny business
funny isn't the word the music industry is a horribly DIRTY GAME...always have been always will be...so many dreams r crushed by ppl like BERRY GORDY!!! i love my city but some of the ppl here r!!!......
What a thrill it is to listen to Flo TALK, finally! Guys, there's a GREAT book coming out in April 2008! The Lost Supreme! by Peter Benjaminson. I read an advance copy and it is GREAT! Beyond GREAT! It is like if Flo came back to tell her side. Get it! You won't regret it!
Destiny's child: two of its original members, Letoya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson, attempted to split with manager Matthew Knowles, charging that he kept a disproportionate share of the band's profits, attempted to exert too much control, and unfairly favored his daughter and niece.
i think you are right one day we will hear one of those girls i just hope one of them dont have to die for us to regonize somthing is wrong why was this woman doing back up?????????????????????????????????
Only difference is that Mom and Pop Knowles pimped out B specifically to keep the $ in the fam. Its only a matter of time B over exposes herself or makes a mistake like DR did (The Wiz amongst other stuff) to fall from "grace"
this is really great. For the first time we get to actually hear it from the Person herself. So much is always said about her, but i have never heard it from Miss Flo.
The next part is in the second video labled part 2. As far as the last 15 seconds i don't know, i didn't think anything was missing but hey if you can find them please post them.
Fascinating! Never heard her speaking voice during this period of her life. Thank God for Youtube! Wished she was still alive. The artist is always screwed. There's very little money for the performer after everyone gets their cut and all expenses and things are paid for. You don't start making real life-changing money unless you write and produce or have been in the business a million years.
Flo started with Paul and Eddie she is the one that got Diana and Mary started in the music. Barry riped all of them now he is living large at his old age, Flo trusted Barry to take care of her and family and look at what he did to her kick her out. Flo had a wonderful voice and is sad how her life ended with her and her family broke.
Wow.. I love Florence Ballard, if she was alive today I'm sure she'd be a different person. She Was A Winner in her own way + a positive example of life.. I love her voice + manner
I have been a lifelong fan of The Supremes. My admiration for Diana Ross dimmed after reading Mary Wilson's book "Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme" I was really young when Florence died, but I still remember when she passed in February-1976. So, so sad indeed. Diana Ross will have to live with how she and Barry Gordy dealth wiht not only Florence, but other Motown stars as well. Continue to RIP Flo. We will always love you "Blondie".
You don't know what you're talking about. Diana was screwed financially, too and she generated a lot more money for motown than Flo. People blame Ross, but that is unfair, because Ross was broke when she left Motown, too. Berry is the one to blame.
No disrespect Motown, but everyone knows that Diana was Gordy's lover and she royally screwd Ballard. But, I am not going to argue. Those that were there in the day I am certain that they all do/did not lie on la Ross. She stepped on whoever gor in her way to acieve superstardom. But now as she ages, I hoe she ask God's forgiveness for destroying lives. I rest this topic for good.
They were all screwed financially--even Ross, who did not become wealthy until she left Motown, and much more so with her marriage to Naess. Although she may have benefited with some perks (of which she may have unknowingly paid for)by being the "bosses girlfriend," she suffered financially too as most Motown artists.
Its time to get over this "she stepped on whomever." Ross was/is ambitious plain and simple. Did Martha Reeves step on the Vandellas? Smokey Robinson on the Miracles? Gladys Knight on the Pips? Michael Jackson on the Jacksons? Ballard holds some responsibility for her own fate. Even with that taken into consideration, her story is none the less tragic.
you are right flo made her choices however martha didn't have to step on anyone she was always the lead and always had the voice. Smokey was the lead from the begining and no one ever had an issue in the group with that gladys knight is the same they started the groups the same way not like supremes where one was lead and then another was pushed forward
That's from "what" we know. The Vandellas was none too pleased with Martha AND Martha became very active in separating herself from them too. She wanted to only be known as Martha Reeves--especially given the Ross success. These groups had their own dissentions too just like Patti LaBelle and LaBelle.I don't think we will ever know the real story here because no one really wants to tell it or they all remember it differently.
Written out of history? I would SO disagree! Are you reading these comments? Have you googled "Florence Ballard?" I would think even she would be humbled by all the people who remember her life and her talent/contribution to The Supremes. Her place in history is secure.
By Written out of History i meant she is not remembered by as many people as she should be for her contribution to Music, I think she would love the fact that people do remember her but sadly most people do not remember her hopefully this vid will change that
As the saying goes; "We agree to disagree." As long as people remember The Supremes, they will also remember Ballard. I'll even venture to say that 50 years from now, especially given her tragic story, it will be Ballard who will be remembered most. More than Birdsong, Wilson ....and possibly even Ross (as a solo performer) The music REALLY lasts! I have recently seen 15-18 yr olds dancing and singing to The Supremes! As I have posted earlier; "What an IMPACT this group has had!"
What I find REALLY tragic given her popularity and tragic plight, is that her estate (from what I know) receives not a penny. Some one has made money from the ABC record release, photos et alia and its not just Gordy & Motown. Her sister has written or is writing a book. Wilson makes use of her story for her advantages etc. Too bad people did not know enough to take control of her image and manage it similar to the Jimmi Hendryx estate.
You know I would love to release another cd of Flo, but a 2 disc set that has one disc with only her solo album on ABC and the other cd all her leads from her Motown days. THEN I would have a special edition that would include a 3rd disc with alternate takes from her ABC and Motown days and also it would come with a dvd of tv appearances from Flo's comeback days since those vids must be still around
diana sings lead on every song except about 3. Listen.. that's why.Proof is the puddin. Mary and Flo have sold 0 records without Ross.
Ree recently said at the announcement of Ross as a Kennedy Ctr Honoree(America's Highest Award for the Arts) : "when i saw those 3 girls at the apollo, i had my eye on the one in the middle" Luther didn't idolize Mary Wilson it was: "Cissy, Dionne,Ree and DIANA.
The Supremes records had little to do with vocal talent but with material. As soon as HDH stepped in it was HIT after HIT but before HDH came to produce The Supremes tracks they were the no-hit Supremes.
Yes they are all very talented and all are versatile and all are individual and unique but when they join together magic happens. You can be the greatest singer ever but with shit material you ain't gonna get anywhere
exactly! there are several clips of patti labelle talking about diana ross. she said on oprah the blue bells were a smaller known group and diana would go to there shows and see what they were wearing and have the supremes designer make the same dresses. and when they would show up for concerts they would be wearing the same dresses as the blue bells but in better style and quality.
Yes, there is also a clip on here of patti singing to Diana during a lifetime achievement award. But she did make those comments on oprah after that event. Nobody is knocking Diana for the musical talent that she is. However facts are facts and if she did those things she did them...her great solo career cant not change her early career antics
"People blame Ross, but that is unfair, because Ross was broke when she left Motown, too. Berry is the one to blame." Exactly! Flo was by far the best singer of the three but Berry, being the shrewd businessman that he was, saw more dollars in Diana's "pop" sound. And Diana obviously saw his decision as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a superstar.
I agree with you in the fact that it wasn't Diana's fault but Flo did not add anything to the group. She was a background girl. No offense to Florence or anything but Florence did not lead The Supremes to stardom, Diana Ross did. I wish people would get that point.
Flo brought a lot to the group if it wasn't for flo their would be no supremes and diana would be who she is today. Flo started the group and gave diana her start.
Yes, Florence was a background girl-but anyone with ears cannot ignore her"booming" soprano on "Come See About Me"&"Back In My Arms Again"-not to mention the fact that she sang second lead right alongside Diane on "You Keep Me Hangin'On".No she wasn't the leader,but she(&Mary)couldn't altogether be ignored-especially since they provided "window dressing" for "painfully skinny" Diane Ross to hide behind-before the "Anorexic look" to over. Also,listen to "Jimmy Mack"&"Respect" & tell me the same!
Just to let you know I have "Jimmy Mack" by Martha and the Vandellas on my iPod and I've heard "Respect" by Aretha Franklin many times.
What do those songs have anything to do with Ms. Ballard. Plus Diana one of the greatest celebrities of our time. Anyway I really do not get the point of your comment. A little confusing if you ask me.
How could Mz. Ross LOOZE!?!She was bedding da' Boss!!! Anyway,my point IS(For the final time!)Back-ups can sometimes "STEAL" the record-The Vandellas on "Jimmy Mack";the Sweet Inspirations on "Respect"& "Chain Of Fools";The Vandellas again on Marvin Gayes"Stubborn Kind Of Fellow";&finally Flo& Mary on "Come See About Me"(it wasn't for nuthin' Berry turned down Flo& Marys microphones!)-just have the leads TRY and make these songs without 'em-LOL!
Yes that's true Flo had been recording with ABC when Love Child was recorded since she had been gone a year. But The Andantes were used on LOVE CHILD and most recordings featuring Diana after Florence left
Yes, I HEARD "Lovechild" before and the Backups NEEDED backups!!!I though how colorless and empty they sounded without Miss Flo(indeed, without Mary or Cindy-it wasn't until Motown-25 that I knew how good they sounded)I mean, when I "have to" listen to this record, I ALWAYS sing along so that it would sound better!!!It was NO stroke of "Genius" that Berry allowed this to happen-and Diana Ross& the Supremes records suffered as a result of his "woody" for Diana!!!
Backgrounds can make or break a song, even on REFLECTIONS with Flo and Mary on back, even though that was done shortly before Flo's exit that song has very CRUCIAL backgrounds on it
They were making the point that those songs NEEED the background just like on Supremes songs like BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN and COME SEE ABOUT ME where the background is ESSENTIAL otherwise the song does not flow. And about the window dressing oxyaena was saying that Florence and Mary not only sounded great together behind Mary but they always LOOKED GREAT and were a reflection of what WOMEN looked like, as Diana actually had an eating disorder, sometime while she was a supreme.
I remember reading Mary's book and I thought she was throwing stones and hiding her hands. She made Diana out to be the devil incarnate, yet she tried to sugarcoat the fact that she was all for replacing Flo when Berry and Diana approached her. And her attacks on Diana's character when it came to men were extremely hypocritical because she had a very public affair with the very-married Tom Jones, and I think Steve McQueen was also married when she was with him.
Yes, they were ALL tramps! Sometimes the BEST men are already taken!! Wasn't Flos boyfriend,Temptation Otis Williams married?Wasn't Miracles Bobby Rogers married to Marvelette Wanda Young?(Shame on you Flo!lol) Even Diana Ross cheated on Berry a few times with a sexy football player,Tim Brown???-AND your point?
Flo went out with otis before he was married he clear that situation up not too long ago, and flo went out with bobby when he was seperated from wanda.
My point should be obvious: the pot (Mary) was calling a couple of kettles (Diana and Berry) black. Dreamgirl: My Life As A Hater would've been a much better title for that book.
Yes, I agree-Mary was(& IS) a Hater.She didn't stick by Flo either(I would rather see Miss Flo back in the Supremes-than those faceless,voiceless,NOBODIES!)And she clearly envied Ross every move(she wanted to play Josephine Baker, too!)Yes, she's playin' down alot of guilt-BUTT WHAT COULD SHE DO!?! She was briefly dismissed in'62 for backing up a wild-no-talent-4th-Supreme-Barbara Martin(she vowed NEVER to stick her neck out, again!)Mary had no malice;she was simply trying to survive...
No argument here as to Mary "trying to survive" when she wrote Deamgirl. The book generated attention her post-Diana Ross & the Supremes singing engagements weren't getting. But we'll have to agree to disagree about the malice issue. Dreamgirl was dripping with malice in my opinion. And after all this time it seems as if nothing has changed. Mary was still hating a few years ago when they tried to have a reunion tour.
I see I'm gonna have to quit trying to defend Mary Wilson to you;since you are determined to be a "Mary-Hater"...She was stuck in the middle of these"waring factions"-not knowing which way to turn-yes she was"bullied" by "Queen Diana"&"King Berry" to side with them-not to mention the fact that she was "brain-washed" against her own talent-Berry:"Mary,you know you can't sing."I also beg to differ with you about "Your Highness Diana". If you were a Supreme,you'd hate her guts,too!!!
You hit the fuckin nail on the head. I've read both of her books. Based on what I've seen and read, I've come to the conclusion that Mary was just as bad if not worse than Ross and Gordy. She glances over the fact that it was Diana who loaned her enormous amounts of money. She's a manipulative, envious, fence-straddler. Even Florence came to the realization that Mary was two-faced. Mary used Florence to do a lot of dirty work. I've seen her kind so many times.
You are lying. Sorry to say that but, you are..... Diane Ross loaned Mary Wilson $30,000 in 1981 and Mary it back within a year with interest. Those facts. You don't know what you are talking about.
It is all here, in FLO'S OWN WORDS, just listen you will hear the story that both Wilson, and Turner told in thier bio's. Here more clearly you have Flo's actual own story in her very own words. Just listen carefully and Flo's truth is perfectly clear as to what really happened to her. Flo states it was Milton Jenkins NOT Smokey Robinson as he claims that took Flo Mary and Diana to Motown. Flo trusted and had faith in Gordy, and he used her and Mary and even Diana in the end.
ramona2400 6 months ago
nobody say nothing about that..only because diana is a woman she have to be judge...she was young,all the girls were young and show business is a though place...so think twice before say bad things
prettybabymj 1 year ago
IMHO berry and diana had their fault BUT I think that flo wasn't an angel either. She was a strong woman and I can't see her as a "poor victim"... sorry but she did wrong too...and y'all are too quick to judge what was going on there,nobody know for sure...even the story between berry and diana is take with too much cynicism,I think that they really love each other and it wasn't only a business strategy by diana side and call her bitch...marvin gaye married anna gordy and...
prettybabymj 1 year ago
Al yall saying this moral and walking on folks stuff because yll aint in there shoes unless yll get in a group and get famous no lie i proably woulda done wat diane did no lie yll saying moral when it comes to money yll cant say something
tony3918 1 year ago
@tony3918 Diana Ross is an asshole. Is that how you view yourself?
DetroitLives313 1 year ago
I LOVE THE SUPREMES FLO especailly but I would like to correct everone who think they were friends they where co workers the where close you couold say in a way but if they didnt sing together they would not have had any other comrade they were singing partners who shared a stage just like those of you who work you are not Friends with your co workers or schoolmates its the same with them so please loose the best friend stuff
breyanlovejerome 2 years ago
I can't help but notice all of the controversy among us Supremes fans...I've got questions that I'd like to ask all of you: If you were in a group where everyone was allowed and encouraged to sing lead-and, suddenly you are relegated to the background with very little chance of singing lead again -HOW WOULD YOU FEEL??
2) WOULD ANY OF YOU WANT FAME SO BADLY THAT YOU'D WALK OVER YOUR "BEST FRIENDS" TO GET IT??
3)Would you turn your back on your morals and friends for fame? Just asking.
catheyeluvsmusic 2 years ago
catheyeluvsmusic>>> If your question is directed to Diane Ross & Berry Gordy the answer is al ready know world wide ! Yes, they will sell their souls to the devil for fortune and fame, and it looks like they did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TWTR4EVER 2 years ago
Of course I would'nt be happy with that, I would have read the contract to find out what the deal was. When Flo left they gave her papers to sign she didn't even read them and signed? When she got lawyers in to sue, they came back from motown with more papers to sign and she did'nt read them either?? so she only had herself to blame, Don't get me wrong I Love her voice and feel sorry for her Mary and Diana were in the same boat til they got wise and brought in the lawyers to read their contracts
idaslpdhr 2 years ago
Berry and smokie didn't f**k up anybody, that's the music industry, You sign a contract, you get an advance, or in their case $250.00 a week wages, you make a record, the money comes in - your manager gets a cut, you pay for the recording and promotion, the writers of the song get a cut the publishers get a cut and because youve had an advance or a weekly wage YOU GET NOTHIN thats how it has always worked and still works today.
idaslpdhr 2 years ago
so if you were a singer, and you sold over 50 million records, and received $250.00 a week, you would be satisfied with that? Just asking
joeluis98 2 years ago 3
'Put On A Happy Face'...old standard
sbrownie 2 years ago
$225 a week?? Damn! That is fucked up how Berry and Smokey were doing them. Dreamgirls touched on it, but sooner or later a documentary will be made exposing the good and the bad about Motown.
SparksMentalz 2 years ago
flo probably wouldn't give his ass the time of day in the sex arena, so he settled for skinny, ugly diane ross. easier to lay and manipulate. gordy couldn't handle a real woman, and flo was all that and more. she intimidated the SHIT out the little man, so she had to go. talent couldn' save her, because her gift meant NOTHING to gordy, so he kept devaluing her until he foced her out. talk about emotional abuse!!! hey, if flo was an alcoholic, it would be understandable. FLO WAS SUPREME!
erzebetb 2 years ago
yep yep i AGREE with most ofvwut u said
19DJD 2 years ago
dick, and he bossed the others around and played head games with them. he was the big fish in a small pond at the time, much like ike turner, in the early days in st louis. they both had an eye for talent, and that was their streak of genius. and look at what a pool of talent he had to choose from. he screwed people over, as do 99% of successful business people. look at martha reeves, that child could sing! just an example of who got his attention, and who he put in the background.
erzebetb 2 years ago
it's not a racist issue here, and it's not one black person sticking it to another, either. the only operative color here is GREEN. it's what turns people of any race against one another. how could gordy do it? because he like others don't give a shit for one another in this world. hell, people will sell their children, their mother, whatever for a fucking buck. why shouldn't he? gordy was a small manipulative man, who was a control freak because he was insecure. he had ross hanging off
erzebetb 2 years ago
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Abridgedfan134 2 years ago
I never understood why Diana Ross was jealous. I mean obviously she sang better......... But otherwise..... WHY?? Diana was also jealous of Aretha Franklin.... But that's a different subject. Check your local listings......... The show UNSUNG will be doing a special on Florence Ballard & The Supremes Next Sunday 07/06/09 at 8:00. EST.
jabrilhasan 2 years ago
both aretha(TQOS) and flo had better voices, and FACES, jeez, ross was ugly and anorexic(don't know that for sure). mary wilson, same thing, she's beautiful with a killer voice. if flo wasn't the 'front' singer, then by rights, mary should've been as far as singing talent is concerned. ross knew and knows she has no talent by comparison, and was only promoted because she pulled the blowjob card. like britney and christina...we all know who the singer is there, but who was 'on top'?
erzebetb 2 years ago
@erzebetb Yeah flo did have a stronger voice than Diana Ross and she wasn't all that pretty, the real reason why Flo gained so much weight was because she was pregnant
TiiMAPR0DUCT10NZ 2 years ago
@jabrilhasan...... It's just in her nature. She's just a natural damn BITCH!!!
44joints 1 year ago 2
This man by the name of Berry Gordy founder of Motown......
How dare you, Have the "Nerve" to laugh at how you Abused and Got away with Dogging another Aftrican like that.... How could you do it????
pabankhead1 2 years ago
the Interviewer keeps repeating about how wonderful + glamourous the Touring was. Bus Rides and a $225.-per-Week Allowance doesn't sound THAT-great. Limo Rides are a Tax Deduction as are Mink Coats that the Girls were allowed-to-wear but didn't-own ... oh , and Those Millions of Other Dollars that Berry Gordy / Motown Records were "investing"/"saving" for the Group ??? was THAT Money EVER "accounted-for" ???
thePharoah90086 2 years ago
it HURTS TO HEAR THE TRUTH ABOUT THE SUPREMES.. BARRY AND DIANA.. FLORENCE WAS ABOUT TO COME OUT WITH A BOOK AND THE GUY RECORDED THIS TO HELP WITH THE BOOK. BUT BARRY PUT A STOP TO IT.. AND IT NEVER CAME OUT UNTIL AFTER THE DREAM GIRL MOVIE CAME OUT...
geez6 2 years ago 2
Listen people if you can't say something nice you should say nothing, none of you was there none of you know the real, what ever went down was fowl we can see that all day and Flo could sing. Diana was Berry's bitch everyone with since knows thats true I'm from Detroit and the punk how side go fuck your mom to DetroitD60 should be put off YouTube and on top of that he is listening to our Music so stop hateing on the USA find your our music trick or are you gay respect the Brother's mom PUNK !
JDynastyRecords55 2 years ago
Yimheretoday could you please find your hero Diana Ross on another clip. Your wasting your time by watching someone your not thrilled about. Please grow up or please get some help.
heartandsoul22 3 years ago 10
Berry Gordy is laughing all the way to the bank.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
Are you sure it's not to Hell?
DetroitD60 3 years ago
Hear ye Hear ye you Flo haters. If you can't stand Florence, then don't continue to go on her stuff here on youtube. It doesn't make any sense at all for you to waste your time on someone you're not to thrilled about it. I just like to point that out cause you haters don't make any sense at all.
heartandsoul22 3 years ago 3
I agree, if you dont like Florence Ballard, then please go to some other YT videos that better suit your tastes. It's very simple.
elogan72 3 years ago 2
stop crying in your beer flo.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
You shouldn't even say shit like that... For those who don't have respect for Florence then go straight to hell.
ramardo1994 3 years ago 2
what we're supposed to act like Flo was a saint?
she was good in the supremes but she did drink.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
And yimheretoday, what exactly have you done with your life?
FecitAnon 3 years ago 2
don't be a hater fecitanon.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
So Diana Ross is an alcoholic and prescription drug abuser. Everyone knows that. That's why she had to go to rehab....TWICE in recent years! Talk about Amy Winehouse. LOL!!!!
DetroitD60 3 years ago
Florence never got arrested for DUI or sent to rehab. Your girl Diane did and is still a lush after all that! I'm waiting for your usual racist name calling in response. Come on, now don't let me down. LOL!
DetroitD60 3 years ago 3
This interview, in a way, was very hard to hear. In the beginning of it, Flo sounded very broken and still devastated. I think that it is even more sad that Flo did not live long enough to really "boom" like she would have had she made that comeback. Flo did the wrong thing in defining her happiness in other people. If she had not, then Flo would not have sank in the deep depression that she did and very well may have survived today. R.I.P. Flo....
f
xxeminole66 3 years ago 2
In my opinion,Mr. Gordy used all three of those girls to his advantage.. they were mere pawns in a twisted game that was grossly unfair and undeserved. They were just high school kids, for God's sake-- they didn't know any better than to assume that Gordy was going to take care of them and do right by them. The man actually lost the Marvelettes' name gambling at a casino.... it seems very clear to me that he didn't care about anybody but himself!why do you think more than 1/2 of the acts LEFT?
catheyeluvsmusic 3 years ago 5
I'd also like to point out, that she was professionally undone by Berry & Diane. Berry wanted to control her and he couldn't. Diane was a bitch toward her & Mary. I'm not blaming Diane but I sure do believe that it was Berry Gordy Jr, who tore them girls apart.
heartandsoul22 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
bottom line flo wasn't a team player. she should have played the game until she didn't have to anymore.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
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heartandsoul22 3 years ago
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heartandsoul22 3 years ago
Flo needs to accept responsibility for her own life. $225.00 a wk when they were selling millions of records....??? well thats her fault.bet berry & diane went laughing all the way to the bank.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
YOUR STILL AN ASS
CAPRICORN2013 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
oool i know the truth hurts capricorn2013, its natural to want to shoot the messenger. bet you're on "aide to dependent children" like your boozing idol flo.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
You dumb mother fucker.
DetroitD60 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
dumb? you're the one living in america's shit hole detroit, go finish fucking your mother. you housing project resident. DetroitD60.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
Its kinda hard to accept respncsibillity WHEN YOUR DEAD, and of course Diane didnt have a problem, she was the one being pushed out in front, Mary spoke about the same exat thing
jarrylfo 3 years ago
I also feel like flo gave up too quick cuz she started da supremes, well primettes. I would of kissed sum ass n, made my money i don't care wat berry said i would laughed at him n kept it movin.
antoineboi 3 years ago
Rite yimheretoday i don't see why everbody want's to keep blaming diane she wuz part of da group also.Berry knew wat he wuz doing although he could of handled it better but, if i were flo i would stayed in da group jus a lil bit longer till diane left n, stayed wit mary n, made dat money.Having too much pride n,dignity won't get u no where in life u have to kiss sumbody ass in life in order to be successful.I don't care wat yall think it's da truth.I know sumbody on here done kissed sum ass.
antoineboi 3 years ago
antoineboi, i don't know why every one keeps blaming diane for Flo's behavior. you're right Mary stayed in the group and kept it alive for many years. flo was getting drunk, not showing up for performances, not showing up in the studio, acting out her frustration. Mary made millions eventually and flo would have also.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
@antoineboi lolllll...tell it gurl!!
cheezeburger100 2 months ago
i have to admit it is sad to hear her story in her own words.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
visit my profile pls! check me out! msg me on msn 9
bigbigears 3 years ago
(Also, just to put it out there, I think this is the interview that comes with the book, since in the radio show audio that's on YouTube featuring Maxine promoting her book, bits of this interview are played.)
bcoombs1988 3 years ago
I was wondering - does anyone know if this is the interview that comes with Maxine Ballard's book? On her website it says that if you buy her book, "The True Story of Florence (Blonidie) Ballard" through the website, you'll get a CD containing Flo's last interview. Is this, indeed, that interview?
bcoombs1988 3 years ago
Just listen to her part on "After All" if there's any doubt as to her talent (for any one THAT ignorant (to not already know) who may read this post). She's the first verse. and was CLEARLY the best singer in The Supremes.
nativesun 3 years ago 3
She was SO Supremely Talented (no pun)...it's nothing less than a horrible, horrid tragedy that she died so early and was so misused and abused by gordy & co. and her 'friends'.
nativesun 3 years ago 4
Go with the Flo.Honey,ya'll is still terrific.
GGE47 3 years ago 4
Why is it everytime these clips are shown everybody has to play the blame game? Just enjoy the clips with out all the fuss, none of us was there to really have anything to say one way or the other.
maingee 3 years ago
The truth was Mary Wilson could have invited Flo back to the group when Diana left and she didnt. She could have helped Flo with her mortgage, she didnt. Everyone blames Diana Ross just becos she wasn't a failure.
tunde818 3 years ago
Are you crazy or just nuts? The Supremes were still under contract to Motown Records after Diane left and guess who STILL owned Motown Records after Diane left? BERRY GORDY JR.! Duh! Get real or get some help!
DetroitD60 3 years ago
I love Diana Ross. There is no video or recording that can make me not like her. In 2005 Florence Ballards kids attended Diana's concert in Detroit. Diana paid for Lisa Ballards surgery and years ago opened a trust fund for them. So all of the haters can eat shit. Her kids don't hate her (otherwise they would have written a damn book) only the haters and their conspiracy theory.
tunde818 3 years ago
That is because your head is wedged way too far up her ass! Flo's kids are grown women. They were given free tickets, why not go?
DetroitD60 3 years ago
You don't know that to be true about paying for any surgery. That trust fund was only "peanuts" and that came directly from a Ballard Family member! $10,000 ain't shit for someone that allegedly had millions! You also don't know whether they hate her or not. I do know that they were about to kick Rhonda Ross ass in NYC in 2003. So you go munch on some shit and then promptly drop dead when you are finished!
DetroitD60 3 years ago
Hey D60 why were they about to kick Rhonda's ass? I've heard a couple of things about Ms. Rhonda. Someone said that she was down-to-earth. Jamie (of Sister 2 Sister) once wrote that she'd heard Rhonda could have quite the attitude. Then someone else wrote that Diana didn't treat Rhonda very well. What's real 411, hit-me-up.
kittytr99 3 years ago
Here's the 411. In March of 2003 at the Rhythm & Blues Foundation Awards, the Supremes were honored. Mary Wilson went over to say hello and hug Rhonda. Rhonda pushed Mary away causing the Ballard girls to jump to Mary's defense and went to beat Rhonda up.They had to be physically restrained....
DetroitD60 3 years ago
Does anyone have or has seen a picture of Florence Ballard "heavy", fat or overweight while she was in the Supremes? I have seen several hundred pictures of the group and haven't found one yet personally.
DetroitD60 3 years ago
I have, although she was very pretty, at one-point-in-time Florence had become very heavy. She looked as if she'd been through it. I had the book Call Her Miss Ross. There are some revealing pictures in there. Diana could be a complete asshole. And Florence whipped her ass good once.
kittytr99 3 years ago
Sour grapes!!All I hear from Flo(if it indeed is Flo)is sour grapes!She obviously never heard "Don't hate the player-hate the game".People forget that show business means "to show" but it also means "handle yo business".Flo and Mary showed but they didn't quite handle their business-at least to its fullest potential.Truth is-they just didn't have the commerciallity and charisma that "out-front girl" Diana had.Diana had was the true talent and she knew how to play the game-whatever the game was!
cageylady1 3 years ago
You sound silly. Of course this is Florence Ballard giving the interview. What does "don't hate the player-hate the game" means? That doesn't even make sense. I think Florence and Mary knew how to handle their business a much as any young woman in their early twenties. They just didn't give the boss a blowjob to be that "out-front girl".....
DetroitD60 3 years ago
If you consider sleeping with the boss to get ahead handling business, then yes Diane was a great businesswoman (however, you'll find most people use a different word for that)
BernardProfitendieu 3 years ago 9
Thank you finally someone agrees with me
dutico 3 years ago 4
Haaa! EXTREMELY well put, BernardProfitendieu!
bcoombs1988 3 years ago 4
Haha AMEN!
JonathanLGardner 3 years ago 2
no flo wasn't going to sleep with the boss she'd just give it away to some poor loser from the projects. all she wanted to do was get drunk and collect a welfare check. don't blame diane cause she knew how to work her koochie to her own advantage. there was a lock on her koochie and you had to be a multi-million aire to get it. smart woman.
yimheretoday 3 years ago 2
one person's 'smart woman' is the rest of the world's tramp
(you must be a real skank!)
BernardProfitendieu 3 years ago
thats why diane is sitting on a 300 million dollar fortune, yes..... real smart woman.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
yep, prostitution pays!
... but even 300 billion won't buy back self respect
BernardProfitendieu 3 years ago
diane has plenty of self respect and adulation from the whole world. she used her money maker in more ways than one. lol, diane was in a relationship with berry... thats not prostitution.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
you're too much of a skank yourself to know the difference
BernardProfitendieu 3 years ago
you're a hater, don't insult me because flo was a lazy fat bored welfare mother nothing more nothing less. if those were the goals she had for her life she achieved them. diana is still the worlds premiere superstar diva apart from berry, he may have been getting that koochie but the rest of the world wasn't and they bought her records and made her a superstar.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
ignorant and skanky is no way to go through life! (hard to tell whether I'm talking about you or Diane, isn't it?)
yaaawwn ... you're beginning to bore me, dearie
... isn't one of your johns waiting for you?
BernardProfitendieu 3 years ago
thanks for the compliment, to put me with diane is the ultimate compliment. last time i checked she was a 2008 kennedy center award honoree one of the nations highest honors. she must of done something right. you're problem is you're impressed with welfare mothers.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
only a true skank would interpret that as a compliment
end of discussion.
BernardProfitendieu 3 years ago
That drunk bitch Diane Ross was honored by the worst President in U.S. history! Some honor.....LOL!!!!
DetroitD60 3 years ago
he didn't honor Ross the kennedy center did. he didn't even know who diana ross is more than likely. the only black woman he knows is Condie Rice bush said about her "that's my black pussy"
but talk about a drunk; flo was the biggest drunk in motown's history.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
I tell you who was the biggest drunk in motown's history paul williams of the temptaions!
ftdtl123 3 years ago
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heartandsoul22 3 years ago
what truth? she was a young girl with an average voice, what did she think was suppose to happen? she should have given berry a good BJ that would have did wonders for her career.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
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heartandsoul22 3 years ago
ok, i'm sure she thought the group should be more balanced but thats not the way things worked out, it was much more than diane sleeping with berry, it was a business decision for the most part. all artists starting out have to kiss but... she was a kid what did she expect was going to happen, you have to play the game to get ahead. she should have learned that. Mary hung in there and maintained a career and flo was more talented than mary, she could have had a decent career.
yimheretoday 3 years ago
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heartandsoul22 3 years ago
i still love flo
22ndlehigh 3 years ago
That was dirty as hell what Berry did.
Hobson90 3 years ago 4
This is so sad.
68NYC 3 years ago 2
Florence is really sexy, man i wish she was alive in like her 20s or even 30s, I'm 20 and i would love to date her!!!!
Trudragon88 3 years ago 2
You're a bit late LOL.
RIP Flo
JonathanLGardner 3 years ago
You're a bit late LOL.
RIP Flo
JonathanLGardner 3 years ago
yeah i know, dammit
Trudragon88 3 years ago
Check out my new video, I just uploaded it. It's a different interview of Florence, it's 6 minutes of Peter Banjaminson's one (soz that's all I have of the 8 hours)
JonathanLGardner 3 years ago
Flo we know they did you dirty honey. Motown made great music but MAN, they really ran their artist into the ground and many of them prematurely into the grave. Not one of these artist should be wanting for anything and should be set up for life. It's a drag...Paul Williams, Mary Wells, the Funk Brothers,Flo and so many others. the way they longd*ck'd folk was/is/eternally a crime. I wonder if Gordy is haunted by all of their ghosts every night in his mansion
ATS68 3 years ago 5
My last comment was not spam i hit the wrong button.
bigden89 3 years ago
Could someone tell me when Tommy Chapman ( Florence's husband) was shot and killed? And do they know who shot him?
bigden89 3 years ago
The details are in Mary Wilson's book "Supreme Faith/Dreamgirls, My Life As A Supreme". I can't remember the whole story at this moment.
MarvDETROIT 3 years ago
I have "Dreamgirls" and its not mentioned in there. I take it that Mary Wilson wrote another book called"Supreme Faith" i try and find that book. Thanks alot for your reply.
bigden89 3 years ago
You will find a far better account of Flo's fall, Chapman's death, and Mary's role in Tony Turner's book ALL THAT GLITTERED: My Life with the Supremes. He knew Flo since he was a teenager and road managed for Mary after she left the Supremes.
branchwater7 3 years ago
Thanks branchwater7 I picked up the book " All That Glittered" by Tony Turner.Its says that Tommy Chapman was shot and killed in a pool hall in 1984.Thanks for the info.
bigden89 3 years ago
Tony Turner's book is far from honest. Tommy Chapman died of a HEART ATTACK not a gunshot!
There is not ONE photo of Tony Turner and Flo together in the book!!
themaltesebippy 3 years ago
I have "Dreamgirls" and its not mentioned in there. I take it that Mary Wilson wrote another book called"Supreme Faith" i try and find that book. Thanks alot for your reply.
bigden89 3 years ago
Florence.....very sexy woman lol! I get so pissed to see how she got treated by that asshole Berry Gordy but oh well. All we can do is learn from this situation and just remember the music industry is a very funny business
destinyogbon 3 years ago
funny isn't the word the music industry is a horribly DIRTY GAME...always have been always will be...so many dreams r crushed by ppl like BERRY GORDY!!! i love my city but some of the ppl here r!!!......
BABY1LUV 3 years ago 2
Thank you for posting this...My daddy always says that Flo was his favorite...funny how my mom looks just like Miss Ross though?!?
Anywho, I'd like to see a VERY WELL DONE feature film done of Flo's life...I think that Faith Evans should be considered for the role.
BjonesK 4 years ago
Florence is mentioned by name in Nas' current song "Blunt Ashes" . It, along with the lyrics are on Youtube.
MarvDETROIT 4 years ago
What a thrill it is to listen to Flo TALK, finally! Guys, there's a GREAT book coming out in April 2008! The Lost Supreme! by Peter Benjaminson. I read an advance copy and it is GREAT! Beyond GREAT! It is like if Flo came back to tell her side. Get it! You won't regret it!
prjr1973 4 years ago
Destiny's child: two of its original members, Letoya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson, attempted to split with manager Matthew Knowles, charging that he kept a disproportionate share of the band's profits, attempted to exert too much control, and unfairly favored his daughter and niece.
caradecaballo 4 years ago
this is sooooo sad....and to think in a few years kelly rowland will b telling everything tht happened behind the curtains of DC
babycoop09 4 years ago
i think you are right one day we will hear one of those girls i just hope one of them dont have to die for us to regonize somthing is wrong why was this woman doing back up?????????????????????????????????
noname2342002 4 years ago
who knows?
babycoop09 4 years ago
Yep - but its pretty obvious
Only difference is that Mom and Pop Knowles pimped out B specifically to keep the $ in the fam. Its only a matter of time B over exposes herself or makes a mistake like DR did (The Wiz amongst other stuff) to fall from "grace"
bronxbarbiedolla 4 years ago
True but without HDH Diana wouldn't have been established enough to make hits without them
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
this should be forworded to entertaintment tonight
outlook98 4 years ago
this is really great. For the first time we get to actually hear it from the Person herself. So much is always said about her, but i have never heard it from Miss Flo.
Great Clips
kingnando 4 years ago
The next part is in the second video labled part 2. As far as the last 15 seconds i don't know, i didn't think anything was missing but hey if you can find them please post them.
noname2342002 4 years ago
RIP, Florence. May you REIGN SUPREME always!!!!
Forever Faithful
Hazelman
hazelman 4 years ago
Fascinating! Never heard her speaking voice during this period of her life. Thank God for Youtube! Wished she was still alive. The artist is always screwed. There's very little money for the performer after everyone gets their cut and all expenses and things are paid for. You don't start making real life-changing money unless you write and produce or have been in the business a million years.
kgmaj 4 years ago
Flo started with Paul and Eddie she is the one that got Diana and Mary started in the music. Barry riped all of them now he is living large at his old age, Flo trusted Barry to take care of her and family and look at what he did to her kick her out. Flo had a wonderful voice and is sad how her life ended with her and her family broke.
5temps 4 years ago
Poor Florence. She was a strong, beautiful, talented Black Woman, A WOMAN! She just didn't know how to fight dirty......
God Bless her.
MarvD 4 years ago
Wow.. I love Florence Ballard, if she was alive today I'm sure she'd be a different person. She Was A Winner in her own way + a positive example of life.. I love her voice + manner
motorcitymiguel 4 years ago
I have been a lifelong fan of The Supremes. My admiration for Diana Ross dimmed after reading Mary Wilson's book "Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme" I was really young when Florence died, but I still remember when she passed in February-1976. So, so sad indeed. Diana Ross will have to live with how she and Barry Gordy dealth wiht not only Florence, but other Motown stars as well. Continue to RIP Flo. We will always love you "Blondie".
all4one06 4 years ago
You don't know what you're talking about. Diana was screwed financially, too and she generated a lot more money for motown than Flo. People blame Ross, but that is unfair, because Ross was broke when she left Motown, too. Berry is the one to blame.
motown6702 4 years ago
No disrespect Motown, but everyone knows that Diana was Gordy's lover and she royally screwd Ballard. But, I am not going to argue. Those that were there in the day I am certain that they all do/did not lie on la Ross. She stepped on whoever gor in her way to acieve superstardom. But now as she ages, I hoe she ask God's forgiveness for destroying lives. I rest this topic for good.
all4one06 4 years ago
They were all screwed financially--even Ross, who did not become wealthy until she left Motown, and much more so with her marriage to Naess. Although she may have benefited with some perks (of which she may have unknowingly paid for)by being the "bosses girlfriend," she suffered financially too as most Motown artists.
sinash 4 years ago 2
thank you for pointing that out it is true.
noname2342002 4 years ago
Its time to get over this "she stepped on whomever." Ross was/is ambitious plain and simple. Did Martha Reeves step on the Vandellas? Smokey Robinson on the Miracles? Gladys Knight on the Pips? Michael Jackson on the Jacksons? Ballard holds some responsibility for her own fate. Even with that taken into consideration, her story is none the less tragic.
sinash 4 years ago
you are right flo made her choices however martha didn't have to step on anyone she was always the lead and always had the voice. Smokey was the lead from the begining and no one ever had an issue in the group with that gladys knight is the same they started the groups the same way not like supremes where one was lead and then another was pushed forward
noname2342002 4 years ago
That's from "what" we know. The Vandellas was none too pleased with Martha AND Martha became very active in separating herself from them too. She wanted to only be known as Martha Reeves--especially given the Ross success. These groups had their own dissentions too just like Patti LaBelle and LaBelle.I don't think we will ever know the real story here because no one really wants to tell it or they all remember it differently.
sinash2 4 years ago
Either way martha was always the lead so was patti this group was flo's group and it is sad she has been written out of history
noname2342002 4 years ago
Written out of history? I would SO disagree! Are you reading these comments? Have you googled "Florence Ballard?" I would think even she would be humbled by all the people who remember her life and her talent/contribution to The Supremes. Her place in history is secure.
sinash 4 years ago
By Written out of History i meant she is not remembered by as many people as she should be for her contribution to Music, I think she would love the fact that people do remember her but sadly most people do not remember her hopefully this vid will change that
noname2342002 4 years ago
As the saying goes; "We agree to disagree." As long as people remember The Supremes, they will also remember Ballard. I'll even venture to say that 50 years from now, especially given her tragic story, it will be Ballard who will be remembered most. More than Birdsong, Wilson ....and possibly even Ross (as a solo performer) The music REALLY lasts! I have recently seen 15-18 yr olds dancing and singing to The Supremes! As I have posted earlier; "What an IMPACT this group has had!"
sinash 4 years ago
I am 13 and my channel is DEDICATED to The Supremes and in particular FLORENCE BALLARD. Don't leave me out LOL
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
What I find REALLY tragic given her popularity and tragic plight, is that her estate (from what I know) receives not a penny. Some one has made money from the ABC record release, photos et alia and its not just Gordy & Motown. Her sister has written or is writing a book. Wilson makes use of her story for her advantages etc. Too bad people did not know enough to take control of her image and manage it similar to the Jimmi Hendryx estate.
sinash 4 years ago
You know I would love to release another cd of Flo, but a 2 disc set that has one disc with only her solo album on ABC and the other cd all her leads from her Motown days. THEN I would have a special edition that would include a 3rd disc with alternate takes from her ABC and Motown days and also it would come with a dvd of tv appearances from Flo's comeback days since those vids must be still around
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
diana sings lead on every song except about 3. Listen.. that's why.Proof is the puddin. Mary and Flo have sold 0 records without Ross.
Ree recently said at the announcement of Ross as a Kennedy Ctr Honoree(America's Highest Award for the Arts) : "when i saw those 3 girls at the apollo, i had my eye on the one in the middle" Luther didn't idolize Mary Wilson it was: "Cissy, Dionne,Ree and DIANA.
taddyd1 4 years ago
The Supremes records had little to do with vocal talent but with material. As soon as HDH stepped in it was HIT after HIT but before HDH came to produce The Supremes tracks they were the no-hit Supremes.
Yes they are all very talented and all are versatile and all are individual and unique but when they join together magic happens. You can be the greatest singer ever but with shit material you ain't gonna get anywhere
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
quit putting comments on here you will be blocked taddyd1
noname2342002 4 years ago
and Patti Labelle
thasyncerest07 3 years ago
exactly! there are several clips of patti labelle talking about diana ross. she said on oprah the blue bells were a smaller known group and diana would go to there shows and see what they were wearing and have the supremes designer make the same dresses. and when they would show up for concerts they would be wearing the same dresses as the blue bells but in better style and quality.
alphakenyone1 4 years ago
Yes, there is also a clip on here of patti singing to Diana during a lifetime achievement award. But she did make those comments on oprah after that event. Nobody is knocking Diana for the musical talent that she is. However facts are facts and if she did those things she did them...her great solo career cant not change her early career antics
alphakenyone1 4 years ago 2
"People blame Ross, but that is unfair, because Ross was broke when she left Motown, too. Berry is the one to blame." Exactly! Flo was by far the best singer of the three but Berry, being the shrewd businessman that he was, saw more dollars in Diana's "pop" sound. And Diana obviously saw his decision as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a superstar.
CynicalGenXer 3 years ago
I agree with you in the fact that it wasn't Diana's fault but Flo did not add anything to the group. She was a background girl. No offense to Florence or anything but Florence did not lead The Supremes to stardom, Diana Ross did. I wish people would get that point.
nosiestink 3 years ago
Flo brought a lot to the group if it wasn't for flo their would be no supremes and diana would be who she is today. Flo started the group and gave diana her start.
tevtev92 3 years ago 3
Yes, Florence was a background girl-but anyone with ears cannot ignore her"booming" soprano on "Come See About Me"&"Back In My Arms Again"-not to mention the fact that she sang second lead right alongside Diane on "You Keep Me Hangin'On".No she wasn't the leader,but she(&Mary)couldn't altogether be ignored-especially since they provided "window dressing" for "painfully skinny" Diane Ross to hide behind-before the "Anorexic look" to over. Also,listen to "Jimmy Mack"&"Respect" & tell me the same!
oxyaena 3 years ago 2
Just to let you know I have "Jimmy Mack" by Martha and the Vandellas on my iPod and I've heard "Respect" by Aretha Franklin many times.
What do those songs have anything to do with Ms. Ballard. Plus Diana one of the greatest celebrities of our time. Anyway I really do not get the point of your comment. A little confusing if you ask me.
nosiestink 3 years ago
How could Mz. Ross LOOZE!?!She was bedding da' Boss!!! Anyway,my point IS(For the final time!)Back-ups can sometimes "STEAL" the record-The Vandellas on "Jimmy Mack";the Sweet Inspirations on "Respect"& "Chain Of Fools";The Vandellas again on Marvin Gayes"Stubborn Kind Of Fellow";&finally Flo& Mary on "Come See About Me"(it wasn't for nuthin' Berry turned down Flo& Marys microphones!)-just have the leads TRY and make these songs without 'em-LOL!
Ox
oxyaena 3 years ago
Whatever! i still like Diana Ross better.
Sorry.
nosiestink 3 years ago
Berry Gordy did have Diana record WITHOUT Flo and Mary or Cindy . . .ever hear DRATS' No. 1 song LOVE CHILD?
paul51 3 years ago
Yes that's true Flo had been recording with ABC when Love Child was recorded since she had been gone a year. But The Andantes were used on LOVE CHILD and most recordings featuring Diana after Florence left
JonathanLGardner 3 years ago
Yes, I HEARD "Lovechild" before and the Backups NEEDED backups!!!I though how colorless and empty they sounded without Miss Flo(indeed, without Mary or Cindy-it wasn't until Motown-25 that I knew how good they sounded)I mean, when I "have to" listen to this record, I ALWAYS sing along so that it would sound better!!!It was NO stroke of "Genius" that Berry allowed this to happen-and Diana Ross& the Supremes records suffered as a result of his "woody" for Diana!!!
oxyaena 3 years ago
AMEN TO THAT!
Backgrounds can make or break a song, even on REFLECTIONS with Flo and Mary on back, even though that was done shortly before Flo's exit that song has very CRUCIAL backgrounds on it
JonathanLGardner 3 years ago
They were making the point that those songs NEEED the background just like on Supremes songs like BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN and COME SEE ABOUT ME where the background is ESSENTIAL otherwise the song does not flow. And about the window dressing oxyaena was saying that Florence and Mary not only sounded great together behind Mary but they always LOOKED GREAT and were a reflection of what WOMEN looked like, as Diana actually had an eating disorder, sometime while she was a supreme.
JonathanLGardner 3 years ago
I remember reading Mary's book and I thought she was throwing stones and hiding her hands. She made Diana out to be the devil incarnate, yet she tried to sugarcoat the fact that she was all for replacing Flo when Berry and Diana approached her. And her attacks on Diana's character when it came to men were extremely hypocritical because she had a very public affair with the very-married Tom Jones, and I think Steve McQueen was also married when she was with him.
CynicalGenXer 3 years ago
Yes, they were ALL tramps! Sometimes the BEST men are already taken!! Wasn't Flos boyfriend,Temptation Otis Williams married?Wasn't Miracles Bobby Rogers married to Marvelette Wanda Young?(Shame on you Flo!lol) Even Diana Ross cheated on Berry a few times with a sexy football player,Tim Brown???-AND your point?
oxyaena 3 years ago
Flo went out with otis before he was married he clear that situation up not too long ago, and flo went out with bobby when he was seperated from wanda.
tevtev92 3 years ago
My point should be obvious: the pot (Mary) was calling a couple of kettles (Diana and Berry) black. Dreamgirl: My Life As A Hater would've been a much better title for that book.
CynicalGenXer 3 years ago
Yes, I agree-Mary was(& IS) a Hater.She didn't stick by Flo either(I would rather see Miss Flo back in the Supremes-than those faceless,voiceless,NOBODIES!)And she clearly envied Ross every move(she wanted to play Josephine Baker, too!)Yes, she's playin' down alot of guilt-BUTT WHAT COULD SHE DO!?! She was briefly dismissed in'62 for backing up a wild-no-talent-4th-Supreme-Barbara Martin(she vowed NEVER to stick her neck out, again!)Mary had no malice;she was simply trying to survive...
oxyaena 3 years ago
No argument here as to Mary "trying to survive" when she wrote Deamgirl. The book generated attention her post-Diana Ross & the Supremes singing engagements weren't getting. But we'll have to agree to disagree about the malice issue. Dreamgirl was dripping with malice in my opinion. And after all this time it seems as if nothing has changed. Mary was still hating a few years ago when they tried to have a reunion tour.
CynicalGenXer 3 years ago
I see I'm gonna have to quit trying to defend Mary Wilson to you;since you are determined to be a "Mary-Hater"...She was stuck in the middle of these"waring factions"-not knowing which way to turn-yes she was"bullied" by "Queen Diana"&"King Berry" to side with them-not to mention the fact that she was "brain-washed" against her own talent-Berry:"Mary,you know you can't sing."I also beg to differ with you about "Your Highness Diana". If you were a Supreme,you'd hate her guts,too!!!
oxyaena 3 years ago
You hit the fuckin nail on the head. I've read both of her books. Based on what I've seen and read, I've come to the conclusion that Mary was just as bad if not worse than Ross and Gordy. She glances over the fact that it was Diana who loaned her enormous amounts of money. She's a manipulative, envious, fence-straddler. Even Florence came to the realization that Mary was two-faced. Mary used Florence to do a lot of dirty work. I've seen her kind so many times.
kittytr99 3 years ago
You are lying. Sorry to say that but, you are..... Diane Ross loaned Mary Wilson $30,000 in 1981 and Mary it back within a year with interest. Those facts. You don't know what you are talking about.
DetroitD60 3 years ago