Musical News - Mary Wilson (the Supremes)

Mary Wilson, founding member of the stars of Motown, the Supremes, has passed away on February 8, 2021, at the age of 76. Her cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

Ms. Wilson was born in Greenville, MS on March 6, 1944. She lived in St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL prior to landing in Detroit, MI in the early 1950s. She joined the Primettes in 1959, before graduating high school. They were signed to Motown in 1961, at which time the group’s name was changed to the Supremes. The rest, as they say, is history,

The Supremes began a string of number 1 hits in 1964 with “Where Did Our Love Go”. Ms. Wilson sang background on 10 of the 12 hits. She was the longest-lasting member of the Supremes, being a member until the group disbanded in 1977. She enjoyed a brief solo career following the group’s breakup.

Ms. Wilson produced a best-selling memoir, “Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme”, in 1986 and a second best-selling memoir, ‘Supreme Faith: Someday We'll Be Together” in 1990.

Ms. Wilson was involved in various legal disputes over the management of the Supremes and over the name itself. She played a role in lobbying for the “Truth in Music” legislation, which determines who is allowed to use a group’s name.

Ms. Wilson continued to perform concerts and appear on shows such as “Dancing with the Stars”. She performed work for various charities, namely Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the American Cancer Society, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, and the NAACP.

Ms. Wilson received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Newspaper Publishers Association in 2020. She was inducted, along with the Supremes, into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame class of 2013.

This truly marks the end of an era.

Mary Wilson

(March 6, 1944 – February 8, 2021)

© 02/09/2021