The Supremes - Up The Ladder To The Roof (LIVE!)

[lshndterrell]

I've seen alot of videos of my Aunti Jean singing Up the ladder to the roof . This is by far my absolute favorite.

[DetroitLives313]

@lshndterrell Your Aunti Jean was one of the BEST vocalists to ever record for Motown period!

[darkebony]

I saw the supremes live with Diana they were good,but when Jean came in they were like wow I stood the whole time while she sanged,I never stood when Diana was there,Jean was amazing she got in your soul,damn the girl sho could sing.

[tinaine1]

Pure Supreme magic!

[hollidayevery]

Jean was good for the Supremes...extremely welcome addition...

[hollidayevery]

Let's be truthful, after Florence was no longer in the group, and the HDH productions ran out, there was quite a list of songs that were deemed unremarkable...as a fan, I still bought all of them, but they did not have the same pizzazz as the original trio. Only "Love Child" and the finale "Someday We'll Be Together" were chart toppers (that was in a two-plus year period of time. "Up the Ladder..." was a hit right off the bat...not a total chart topper, but a solid return to grandeur!!

[MrPistolMason]

Love this . . . during this time the camera was focusing more on Cindy and Mary . . . . with more solos for the gals too. Cindy looked stunning.

[DetroitLives313]

@MrPistolMason This was the group that beat all others in my opinion....perfection! Thanks for watching.

[neildavid1000]

another smash for the group.held back by gordy again as ross had a single out am old enough to remember this.he should be ashamed.

[deathbyaraven]

This is not up to the roof

[NathanJones]

@deathbyaraven

It is a medley of Up the Ladder to the Roof with Everybody's Got the Right to Love, both off the Supremes 1970 album Right On! Their debut LP with Jean Terrell on lead.

[waynebrasler]

No question Diana wanted the best for the Supremes and hung on till a proper successor could be found. She very much respected Jean's talent and thought she was a tremendous find. When Scherrie was brought in to the group Diana put the stamp of approval on her, too. But Diana could be very spooky.  At an early Jean engagement, the ladies were surprised to find Diana out front taking notes; she never talked to them that evening. Martha had the same unsettling experience.

Inexcusable.

[streetender1878]

@waynebrasler fuck off! diana ross was and will always be about diana ross. every one else is just a casualty of her ambition. diva doesnt cover it!

[corkpopfrance]

You can find the origins of Prince's Little Red Corvette in Up the Ladder to the Roof.

Both great tracks.

[royalsoulness]

I'm not a fan of Mary by any stretch of the imagination but I do believe that this line up was pretty good. They were different vocally & visually. I only wish that they had 'revamped' their image by leaving behind some of the glittery gowns. Sometimes, they looked 2 'vegasy'. I never thought Ross was a great singer but could carry a tune. She was ambitious & she got BG behind her. If she wasn't @ Motown, I don't think Ross would've been as big or even existed.

[MrSoulsista2009]

Jean was so awesome

[chinslc]

If memory serves me correctly, Sherrie Payne had replaced Cindy Birdsong. Cindy may not have had a ton of personality, but she has a better voice! BTW -- I know Diana Ross personally -- she is a good person by and large -- wanted the best for the Supremes when she left.

[etrax2000]

@chinslc I would like to hear about the truth on Miss Ross. I believe at times she had dividing feeleings toward others and perhaps suffered guil on many levels.

[streetender1878]

@chinslc thank god that you finally let the world know that you knew ross personally! we are so impressed! im sure that she wanted the best for the supremes, after she left. as long as they didnt do better than she did! DIVA

[tedkay]

she looks a little like Natalie COLE!~

[chrissen1]

This was really a great live performance with these Supremes at the top of their game.................notice the sharing of the vocals:)

[sammy7819]

just not the same, never as good and the original supremes

[SpazChat]

@sammy7819 I agree, people like to talk shit about other people saying Diana was special, but the truth is ...SHE WAS. She brought a sparkle and distinction to the group that was never matched afterwards, especially after Jean left. Jean did a good job, but it just wasn't the same. And the proof is in the difference in record sales. Although I must admit they didn't have as good of a music writing team and Diana Ross and the Surpemes had

[DetroitLives313]

@SpazChat Diane Ross was not special to anyone except Berry Gordy. Ask anyone at Motown. The Supremes were better without here because they had Mary Wilson and then Jean Terrell. The difference in record sales can be and has been attributed to the lack of promotion and distribution by Motown. Why not tell the truth for a change?

[perpetual61]

The Greatest Girl Group Ever No Matter who's in it. From very beginning to their later years. Thank You Motown for Giving us the Supremes.

[keithcop]

What a great clip, and reading all the biting comments just blurs the fact that they were a remarkable group. And even though the paced couldn't stay, they're probably the most successful group to remain that way after the departure of their lead singer! Who else did it? Nice to hear Cindy and Mary pulling out of the group for a line too.

[MuFFinCharlene]

love this song,....maybe Imma do a remake. Sub me bros and sistrens. +Bless

[McGarvinStudios]

This is heaven to my ears!

[SuddenSparkles]

The punch king line. Go simmer meant gossamer or Samir the it over the in the b-z.

B-z b-z battle zone. AZ n mist. U try that!

[christiandior1947]

I love the post-Ross Supremes (especially Jean, Mary and Cindy). They did better than most groups do once the figurehead leaves. The revolving door didn't help matters, though. Birdsong leaving in '72 left Mary the only face from the glory days of Ross. By the time Cindy came back with Scherrie Payne, it was pretty much a done deal. No promotion plus no big hits equals obscurity. A shame, too. Motown could've done alot more with them.

[terriblita308]

Is Jean Terrell related to Tammi Terrell?

[DetroitLives313]

@terriblita308 No not at all. Tammi Terrell's real name is Thomasina Montgomery. "Tammi Terrell" is just a stage name she made up. Jean and Ernie are sister and brother but are not at all related to Tammi. Thanks for watching!

[mrob75]

@terriblita308 No, but Jean Terell's brother is boxing champ legend: Ernie Terrell!

[lshndterrell]

@terriblita308 No she is not.

[caradecaballo]

what a great performance.. i enjoyed this very much..

[Gem5771]

I think this was one of the best songs from the new line up of the Supremes after Diana's going solo

[ethurstondunn]

Yup! They were already a few years past their prime. Diana made them a "star" group... with Jean they were just another girl group.

[DetroitLives313]

@ethurstondunn NOT! With Diane, the Supremes were dying a slow death! With Jean Terrell they became more soulful, more appealing and continued recognition of being one of the top GROUPS in the World!

[ethurstondunn]

@DetroitLives313 ... In the alternate universe you live in maybe you can convince yourself of that... The Supremes were well on their way to becoming a non-entity in the music industry after 1972 but what else could be expected of a group that consisted of a rotating roster of "background" singers???

[DetroitLives313]

@ethurstondunn You can believe whatever you like, I have always lived in the REAL World most currently here in New York. Your comments are proof to those such as myself that you do not know much if anything at about The Supremes, Motown or their story. This does not give me the space to educate you. You have eyes, you have ears......use them! The Supremes were the absolute BEST!

[ethurstondunn]

@DetroitLives313  LOL!!! Whatever, dude.

[proverbs1824]

@DetroitLives313 Amen to that!!!....Next to the original trio, this line up of the Supremes was the next best thing to happen at Motown!!! And they rode high on the charts without Motowns support. Jean gave new life to the Supremes. And, with Mary's and Ciny's support they were a strong unit. Stronger than even the original trio which Motown purposely divided.

[SinclairisCool]

@DetroitLives313

Don't let that asshole ethurstondunn, wind you up. He clearly know's nothing of The Supremes or there career

[SinclairisCool]

@ethurstondunn HA! that's not possible! why? well Diana left in 1970. THIS single was released IN1970. So unless your saying that even when Diana was in the group it had essentially "gone off" then your wrong. Now you can either admit you contradicted yourself OR admit that you got schooled by a 16 year old . Which will it be?

[DetroitLives313]

@SinclairisCool You go Sinclair! You are the dude! Keep telling the truth my friend and shaming the devil!

[SinclairisCool]

@DetroitLives313 Why thank you :) It did feel good.

[ramona2400]

Flawless and Timeless - The Jean Terrell lead Super Supremes at there best. Mary and Cindy sound and look great 0 a wonderful trio.

[DetroitLives313]

@ramona2400 I am telling you, they sang like angels!  Just listen to them here! There had to had been something terribly wrong at Motown to not give full support of ths high quality level of talent! The same thing in regards to Florence Ballard. When I heard her version of "Silent Night " for the first time in 1995, I knew that there was some pretty strong negative politics going at Motown. Thanks for watching.

[Mikaelts]

@DetroitLives313

U're Absolutely Right!

As much as I Love Diana; it seems that after her departure, Motown eventually took The Supremes and threw them into traffic that eventually turned in the opposite direction.

That comment may be somewhat harsh.

However, listening to their post Ross Albums(which I have them all), these Ladies were/are great. I just wish that I or perhaps others could have taken them into another successful Universe.

They are indeed "Flawless and Timeless"

[BeccaJrockadale]

The shortest song in history. 'Up the ladder' is one of my all time fav's! I just wish this were longer! xx

[MJBKfan4ever]

this is the only song without Diana that I actually like

[jayawr]

This performance was so tight and polished. It was especially nice to see Mary and Cindy look and feel important, which was really unheard of toward the end of their time with Miss Ross.

[logerfeld45]

I brought this record for like 75 cents way back in the 70s. I still have it. Great song

[butterwip]

what a great 75 cents you invested, your awsome! :)

[blueBlackpurple]

I wish today's music was as good as this.

Now days performers dress with no class and they can't really sing.

Bring back the old style music and performers like the Supremes for me.

[logerfeld45]

I second that notion. Nothing like the old songs

[SpazChat]

@blueBlackpurple As long as idiots continue to buy their records and see them in concert, we'll have to listen to their crap

[CHUCKIECHOPITUP]

what happen to daina ross

[kurtsupreme]

Chuckiechopitup They finally got rid of her in 1970!

[Outverb]

Wow... love it!

[gayboylaca]

It's mazing to see such a great clip of the Supremes performing live vocals to 2 of my favorite songs by them!

[rufus317]

Jean Terrell was a really good singer

[jpoisson15]

She wasn't just good, she was the amazing!

This is my favorite lineup and Supremes song!

[lshndterrell]

@rufus317 she still is

[dynamite8503]

that damn cindy, she sounds so good.

[odiousj]

"Everybody's Got The right To Love" is a magnificent song! "When you're alone and in a corner, your only mourner is the face that appears in the nearest mirror..." Great lyrics, great vocals! I love that song! It is wonderful! It should have been a bigger hit!

[carolinaguy321]

lyrically, it is a hot song!

[waynebrasler]

"Everybody" was the just the most awful song, a Dean Martin type singalong that had no place on a Supremes album, much less as a single. "RIght On" had at least six other potential hits on it including songs other artists covered and here are the Supremes doing this British music hall number. Unforgivable. What was Frank Wilson thinking?

[carolinaguy321]

Lyrically, "Everybody" was good, but I agree that "Take a closer look at me" "Baby Baby" or "But I love you more" as an "A" side, would have all made better singles.

[waynebrasler]

@waynebrasler Actually, I erred here. This wasn't Frank Wilson's decision. Motown had optioned "Every body's Got the Right to Love" out of house with the agreement it would become a single. I don't know anybody at the company who liked it and commercially it was a disaster, following a top five debut with a bomb that barely made the top 30. The released version eliminated a whole passage where Mary and Cindy had solos. "The Loving Country" was edited for a single but never came out.

[Branner]

@waynebrasler It was also the wrong mix on Everybody that was released--a lifeless pop-ish mix with the background turned WAY down. If you listen to some of the other mixes that have since been released, they're much better and have more "bite. " It's a shame.

[dreamboynyc2]

Wow..to think that this was almost 40 long years ago...how the years go by.

[italoman9]

I like this performance, but each time I see it I wish more that Roof hadn't been interrupted by that corny Everybody song; a full performance here live of Roof, with JMC looking so gorgeous on that great set, would've been just right.