The Supremes


Diana Ross departed The Supremes in January 1970 to launch her solo career, leaving Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong as the remaining core members. The group continued under Motown Records with new lead vocalists, achieving moderate success through the 1970s before disbanding in 1977.? Jean Terrell replaced Ross as lead singer from 1970 to 1973, marking the first post-Ross era with hits like "Up the Ladder to the Roof." Lynda Laurence (1973–1974) and Scherrie Payne (1975–1977) followed as leads, with Susaye Greene joining in 1976 as the final new member during the group's active years. Mary Wilson remained the only original member throughout, providing continuity until 1977. Jean Terrell (1970–1973): Led the group to its last top-10 hits; later pursued solo work; Lynda Laurence (1973–1974, also 2000 reunion): Brief tenure; mother of singer Lynda Laurence Jr. Scherrie Payne (1975–1977, also 2000 reunion): Former member of Scherrie & Lynda; became lead near the end; Susaye Greene (1976–1977): Final Motown-era addition; wrote songs for the group. The post-Ross Supremes released albums like Right On (1970) and High Energy (1976), blending soul, disco, and pop. They toured extensively but faced declining chart success amid Motown shifts and lineup instability. The group officially disbanded in 1977, though Wilson led touring versions into the 1980s. Brief reunions occurred, including one in 2000 with Ross, Payne, and Laurence. All nine women who performed as Supremes—Ross, Wilson, Ballard, Birdsong, Terrell, Laurence, Payne, Greene, and Martin—are recognized as official members.
70's Greatest Hits And Rare Classics

70's Greatest Hits And Rare Classics

1 The Supremes ('70s)– Up The Ladder To The Roof
Producer – Frank Wilson
Written-By – F. Wilson, V. DiMirco
3:15

2 The Supremes ('70s)– Nathan Jones
Producer – Frank Wilson
Written-By – K. Wakefield, L. Caston
3:02

3 The Supremes ('70s)– I Guess I'll Miss The Man
Producer – Deke Richards, Sherlie Matthews
Written-By – S. Schwartz
2:38

4 The Supremes ('70s)– Stoned Love
Producer – Frank Wilson
Written-By – F. Wilson, Y. Samoht
2:58

5 The Supremes ('70s)– Everybody's Got The Right To Love
Producer – Frank Wilson
Written-By – L. Stallman
2:34

6 The Supremes ('70s)– Floy Joy
Producer – Smokey Robinson
Written-By – W. Robinson
2:46

7 The Supremes ('70s)– Bad Weather
Producer – Stevie Wonder
Written-By – I. Tucker, S. Wonder
3:16

8 The Supremes ('70s)– Automatically Sunshine
Producer – Smokey Robinson
Written-By – W. Robinson
3:04

9 The Supremes ('70s)– Paradise
Producer – Jimmy Webb
Written-By – H. Nilsson
3:13

10 The Supremes ('70s)– Tossin' And Turnin'
Producer – Jimmy Webb
Written-By – B. Lewis, M. Rene
3:00

11 The Supremes ('70s)– Il Voce De Silenzio (Silent Voices)
Producer – Jimmy Webb
Written-By – E. Isola
3:38

12 The Supremes ('70s)– Love Train
Producer – Frank Wilson, Leonard Caston
Written-By – K. Gamble, L. Huff
3:21

13 Jean Terrell– I Had To Fall In Love
Producer – Bobby Martin
Written-By – B. Gallagher, G. Lyle
3:24

14 The Supremes ('70s)– He's My Man
Producer – Greg Wright
Written-By – G. Wright, K. Patterson
3:02

15 The Supremes ('70s)– Color My World Blue
Producer – Clayton Ivey, Terry Woodford
Written-By – F.Johnson
2:34

16 The Supremes ('70s)– You Turn Me Around
Producer – Clayton Ivey, Terry Woodford
Written-By – B.Mann, C. Weil
2:43

17 The Supremes ('70s)– The Sha-La Bandit
Producer – Clayton Ivey, Terry Woodford
Written-By – J. Ferguson, W. Davis
3:17

18 The Supremes ('70s)– This Is Why I Believe In You
Producer – Hal Davis
Written-By – M. B. Sutton, B. Sawyer
3:10

19 The Supremes ('70s)– I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking
Producer – Brian Holland
Written-By – B. Holland, E. Holland, H. Beatty
3:10

20 The Supremes ('70s)– You're Driving My Wheel
Producer – Brian Holland
Written-By – B. Holland, H. Beatty, R. Brown, F. Stafford
3:24

21 Scherrie Payne– When I Looked At Your Face
Producer – François D'Aime
Written-By – F. D'Aime, L. Bleecher
4:12

22 Scherrie Payne– Another Life From Now
Producer – Eugene McDaniels
Written-By – Scherrie Payne
5:46

Label: Motown – 3746354872
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1991

Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Motown, Disco
Floy Joy

Floy Joy

A1 Your Wonderful Sweet Sweet Love
Written-By – W. Robinson 3:20

A2 Floy Joy
Written-By – W. Robinson 2:34

A3 A Heart Like Mine
Written-By – R. White, W. Robinson 3:06

A4 Over And Over
Written-By – W. Robinson 3:15

A5 Precious Little Things
Written-By – M. Tarplin, P. Moffett, W. Robinson 3:24

B1 Now The Bitter Now The Sweet
Written-By – C. Franklin, W. Robinson 5:20

B2 Automatically Sunshine
Written-By – W. Robinson 2:35

B3 The Wisdom Of Time
Written-By – C. Burston, P. Moffett, W. Robinson 3:07

B4 Oh Be My Love
Written-By – W. Robinson, W. Moore 3:25

Label: Motown – M751L
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972

Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Motown

Floy Joy is a well-regarded post-Diana Ross Supremes album, praised for Smokey Robinson's strong production, blending soulful pop with catchy R&B, featuring standout tracks like the title hit, "Automatically Sunshine," and "Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love," but also noted for some felt inconsistencies and Jean Terrell's vocals sometimes mimicking Ross, though many fans love its warm sound and strong harmonies.

It marked a successful era for the Mary Wilson-led lineup before lineup changes, showcasing their vocal chemistry and creative evolution, notes this Amazon UK review and this Facebook post.

Smokey Robinson's production captured the hypnotic rhythms of previous hits like "Nathan Jones," providing a strong vehicle for the group's vocals.

The album is celebrated for the interplay between Jean Terrell and Mary Wilson, particularly on the title track and "Automatically Sunshine," showcasing their strong harmonies.

Though Lynda Lawrence was on the cover, Cindy Birdsong sang lead on all tracks as she was pregnant and declined the photo.

Some felt Jean Terrell's vocals were too much like Diana Ross, trying too hard to capture that familiar sound. Jean Terrell herself felt the style was a step backward to the 60s Motown sound.

While not a "monster hit," the album was the group's second biggest-selling release of the 70s, charting at number 54 on the Billboard 200.

All in all, a strong album for the post-Ross era, considered a favorite by many fans, especially for its smooth R&B/soul vibe and the harmonies of the new lineup.
High Energy

High Energy

A1 High Energy
Written-By – Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Harold Beatty
5:25

A2 I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking
Arranged By – James Carmichael
Written-By – Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Harold Beatty
3:33

A3 Only You (Can Love Me Like You Love Me)
Written-By – Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Harold Beatty
3:04

A4 You Keep Me Moving On
Written-By – Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Hugh Wyche, Richard Davis
3:35

B1 Don't Let My Teardrops Bother You
Written-By – Brian Holland-Lamont Dozier-Eddie Holland, Richard Wylie
4:59

Medley (8:03)
B2.a Till The Boat Sails Away
Written-By – Barry Payne, Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Harold Beatty

B2.b I Don't Want To Lose You
Written-By – Linda Creed, Thom Bell

B3 You're What's Missing In My Life
Written-By – Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Harold Beatty
3:56

Label: Motown – M6-863S1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976

Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
New Ways But Love Stays

New Ways But Love Stays

A1 Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music
Written-By – M. Coleman, R. Drapkin
3:30

A2 Stoned Love
Written-By – F. Wilson, Y. Samoht
4:00

A3 It's Time To Break Down
Written-By – E. Hendley, F. Wilson
5:00

A4 Bridge Over Troubled Water
Written-By – A. Garfunkel, P. Simon
5:29

A5 I Wish I Were Your Mirror
Written-By – F. Wilson, P. Sawyer
2:56

B1 Come Together
Written-By – Lennon, McCartney
3:58

B2 Is There A Place (In His Heart For Me)
Written-By – C. McMurray, M. Coleman
3:54

B3 Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
Written-By – D. Frashuer, G. DeCarlo, P. Leka
2:47

B4 Shine On Me
Written-By – F. Wilson
3:59

B5 Thank Him For Today
Written-By – F. Dimirco
2:59

Label: Motown – MS 720
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1970

Genre: R&B Soul, Pop
Style: Seventies Soul, Motown
Right On

Right On

A1 Up The Ladder To The Roof 2:58
A2 Then We Can Try Again 2:35
A3 Everybody's Got The Right To Love 2:36
A4 Wait A Minute Before You Leave Me 2:56
A5 You Move Me 2:45
A6 But I Love You More 3:15
B1 I Got Hurt (Trying To Be The Only Girl In Your Life) 2:30
B2 Baby Baby 2:42
B3 Take A Closer Look At Me 2:34
B4 Then I Met You 2:56
B5 Bill, When Are You Coming Back 3:20
B6 The Loving Country 3:45

Label: Motown – MS705
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US

Released: 1970
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul

The Supremes' 1970 album Right On is a strong, eclectic soul record marking Jean Terrell's debut, featuring hits like "Up the Ladder to the Roof" and "Everybody's Got the Right to Love," praised for its rich harmonies and diverse sounds (blues, folk, rock), though some fans were surprised Mary Wilson wasn't featured more prominently on lead vocals. Critics noted its mature, earthy feel, moving away from Diana Ross's pop gloss, and its potential for hits, making it a significant and well-regarded entry in the post-Diana era.}

The album introduced Jean Terrell as the lead singer, marking a creative shift for the group after Diana Ross's departure.

It blended classic soul with blues, folk, and even psych-rock touches, creating a richer, earthier sound than their earlier work, with producers like Frank Wilson crafting ethereal soundscapes.

Singles like "Up the Ladder to the Roof" and "Everybody's Got the Right to Love" showcased strong potential and found success.

Jean Terrell's powerful, mature voice was highlighted, though some fans missed Mary Wilson taking more lead roles.

AllMusic gave the album a perfect 5 stars, with general consensus pointing to it as a strong, creative, and essential album for fans, even with its lineup change.

In summary, Right On is seen as a successful revitalization for The Supremes, proving they could evolve musically and commercially with Jean Terrell at the helm, despite initial fan expectations.
The Supremes

The Supremes

A1 He's My Man
Written-By – G. Wright, K. Patterson
2:55

A2 Early Morning Love
Written-By – B. Holland, E. Holland, H. Beatty
3:11

A3 Where Is It I Belong
Written-By – E. Brown, R. Brown, S. Brown, III
3:53

A4 It's All Been Said Before
Written-By – B. Potter, D. Lambert
2:30

A5 This Is Why I Believe In You
Written-By – M.B. Sutton, Pam Sawyer
3:10

B1 You Can't Stop A Girl In Love
Written-By – G. Soulé, T. Woodford
2:31

B2 Color My World Blue
Written-By – F. Johnson
2:32

B3 Give Out, But Don't Give Up
Written-By – B. Wyrick, C. Ivey, T. Woodford
2:33

B4 Where Do I Go From Here
Written-By – B. Holland, E. Holland
3:29

B5 You Turn Me Around
Written-By – B. Mann, C. Weil
2:30

Label: Motown – M6-828S1
Format:nVinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975

Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Touch

Touch

A1 This Is The Story
Written-By – Frank Wilson, Pam Sawyer
3:26

A2 Nathan Jones
Written-By – Kathy Wakefield, Leonard Caston
3:02

A3 Here Comes The Sunrise
Written By – Clifton Davis
2:47

A4 Love It Came To Me This Time
Written-By – Kathy Wakefield, Leonard Caston
3:21

A5 Johnny Raven
Written-By – Billy Page
3:19

B1 Have I Lost You
Written-By – LaVerne Ware, Pam Sawyer
2:44

B2 Time And Love
Written-By – Laura Nyro
4:07

B3 Touch
Written-By – Frank Wilson, Pam Sawyer
3:43

B4 Happy (Is A Bumpy Road)
Written-By – Frank Wilson, Pam Sawyer
3:08

B5 It's So Hard For Me To Say Goodbye
Written-By – Frank Wilson, Pam Sawyer
3:16

Label: Motown – MS-737
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1971

Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Motown
Album Details - Test
0:00