The Supremes were an American female singing group that first formed as a quartet called The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan in 1959. Founding members Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross and Betty McGlown, all from the Brewster-Douglass public housing project in Detroit,Wilson et al, 29–36. were the sister act to The Primes (with Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks, who would go on to form The Temptations). In 1960, Barbara Martin replaced McGlown, and the group signed with Motown in 1961 as The Supremes. Martin left in early 1962, and Ross, Ballard and Wilson carried on as a trio.

Active from 1959 until 1977, The Supremes performed, at various times, doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes and disco. They were the most commercially successful of Motown Records' signature acts, and twelve of the group's singles peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Many of their songs were written and produced by Motown's main songwriting and production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland. For a period in the 1960s, only the Beatles could match their popularity.Unterberger, Richie. "The Supremes". Allmusic. Retrieved on July 04, 2008.

During the mid-1960s, The Supremes achieved mainstream success, crossover appeal and a worldwide fan base. In 1964, Ross was named the lead singer. In 1967, Motown president Berry Gordy renamed the group Diana Ross & The Supremes and replaced Ballard with Cindy Birdsong. Ross left to pursue a solo career in 1970 and was replaced by Jean Terrell, at which point the group became known again as The Supremes. After 1972, the lineup of The Supremes changed frequently; Lynda Laurence, Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene all became members. In 1977, the group disbanded after eighteen years of existence. It is widely contended that the success of The Supremes made it possible for future black artists of the soul and R&B tradition to find mainstream success.

Origins

After winning a prestigious local talent contest, The Primettes' sights were set on making a record. In hopes of getting the group signed to the local upstart Motown label, in 1960 Ross asked an old neighbor, Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson, to help the group land an audition for Motown executive Berry Gordy, Jr.Wilson et al, 53–56., who had already proven himself a capable songwriter.Wilson et al, 75. Robinson liked the girls and agreed to help, but he liked their guitarist even more; with The Primettes' permission he hired Tarplin, who became the guitarist for The Miracles. Robinson arranged for The Primettes to audition a cappella for Gordy - but Gordy, feeling the girls too young and inexperienced to be recording artists, encouraged them to return upon graduating from high school. Undaunted, later that year The Primettes recorded a single for Lupine Records (a label created just for them) entitled "Tears of Sorrow", which was backed with "Pretty Baby".Wilson et al, 69. The single, however, failed to find an audience.Wilson et al, 69–71. Shortly thereafter, McGlown became engaged and left the group. Local youth Barbara Martin was McGlown's quick replacement.