Dreamgirl and Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme [Paperback]

Mary Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 2000

More than 40 years ago, three girls from the Detroit projects made the world 'Stop!' and take notice of their fresh harmonies and classy style. Cultivated by the Motown star machine, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Florence Ballard popped onto the charts with hits like "Baby Love" and "Where Did Our Love Go" and made the Supremes not only a household name, but rock and roll legends. The story of their journey to fame is one that fairy tales are made of--complete with battles, tragedies, and triumphs. It's a story that only one of the founders of this talented trio is able or willing to share with the world. In Dreamgirls & Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme, Supremes' co-founder Mary Wilson boldly brings to life all the intimate details of the group's struggle to top the charts. This is the first book to tell the complete story of Mary's courageous life from childhood through the height of the Supremes, to the turn of the century. This beautiful paperback edition combines the best-selling Dreamgirls with the sequel, Supreme Faith: Someday We'll Be Together, for the first time in one volume. The new afterword brings Mary's intriguing story up to date with details on. . . · The tragic car accident that claimed her son's life · The death of her mother, Johnnie Mae, and her dear friend, Mary Wells · Becoming a grandmother · Making her peace with Berry Gordy and Diana Ross · Being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame The Supremes wonderful music isn't the only thing to remain in the public's mind. Diana Ross' push for dominance in the trio has become legendary. Mary Wilson speaks candidly about Ross' tactics to latch onto Berry Gordy, and force her will on the group's activities. For example, while on the early tours, Diana would threaten to call Gordy from the road if the men on the bus didn't behave to her approval. She also openly pushed for Flo's removal from the group. Wilson also openly shares her thoughts on . . .The group's never-ending b

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mary Wilson is a living legend as the co-founder of the world-renowned Supremes. Wilson is the only original Supreme carrying on the group's legacy to this day. Embarking on her 40th year in the music business, Wilson is still touring extensively and expanding her horizons. She recently made her first acting appearance in Lifetime's "Jackie's Back," featuring Jennifer Lewis and Tim Curry. Wilson is the mother of three and a proud grandmother. She lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Press; Updated Edition edition (January 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081541000X
• ISBN-13: 978-0815410003
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INSPIRING AND COMPELLING!, February 14, 2002

By 

VINCENT P TARSITANO (PORT ORANGE, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dreamgirl and Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme (Paperback)

To the objective reader, Mary Wilson comes across as a warm and open person...exactly as she is in real life. (I have met her and spoken with her on occasion over the years). Indeed, this is a very personal work, from a very personal point of view.

The main players in the story, Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, and of course, Wilson herself, [not to forget the "ousted" Florence Ballard, upon whom the Effie character in "Dreamgirls" of Broadway and Academy Award fame is largely based] are accurately portrayed... and legions of other accounts confirm this.

Wilson never comes across as intentionally negative. Why should she? She is widely regarded as an extremely positive person. Indeed, she has defended the Supremes, and yes, Diana Ross, throughout her public life. She has supported and promoted the Supremes unique legacy every day. [In a conversation I had with Ms. Wilson in Atlantic City several years ago, where I was telling her how much more seasoned I thought she and Flo Ballard sounded on the MEET THE SUPREMES album, she defended Diana Ross by saying, "Oh, we were all good, and just starting out...We all were so proud of those songs." What class, I thought to myself. Ms. Wilson then graciously signed my copy of DREAMGIRL.]

Now, this is not to say that there are not juicy and spicy parts to this story...no, there are plenty of those! This was long the best-selling rock autobiography of all time! Anyone would be hard-pressed to match the drama, the excitement, as well as the heartache found in this story. A most interesting aspect of this work is the author's candor, especially about love affairs with Steve McQueen and especially Tom Jones.

However, what makes this story most remarkable is the development and growth of Wilson herself...particularly in recent years, when Wilson has become a celebrated author, motivational lecturer, humanitarian, musicians' rights advocate, actress, producer, mother, grandmother and college student.

A supreme testament to persistence, genuine-ness, and enthusiasm for life. An INSPIRATION!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Inner Workings of Ambition and Motown, November 17, 2006

By 

KRA (East End of LI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreamgirl and Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme (Paperback)

I throughlly enjoyed both of Mary Wilson's books, and found them to be a intriging look at just what it took to make the Primette's, The Supreme's, and what Berry Gordy did to make Motown the powerhouse that it was, and how someone like Ms. Wilson managed to remain a vibrant performer to this day. As a historical note, the group orginally sang four part harmony, and they were the "sister" act to the Prime's, hence the name The Primette's.

Dreamgirl gives us some background on Ms. Wilson's childhood, and then takes up the 4 High School friends who had the burn to sing. We learn of the Primette's early struggles (their 4th member, Barbra Martin left the group), their signing to Motown and the search for a new name (Thank's Flo for the Supreme's) through their early "no hit" period as the Supreme's, and then on to superstardom. This is hardly a "tell-all" book about Diana Ross' quest to be a solo star, but it is rather a rare insiders look at what it took to make the Motown machine happen. Even the tragic tale of Florence "Flo" Ballard is handled with honesty and tact, and as Ms. Wilson put it Flo lost the will to fight for herself, and she let herself become beaten down and bitter.

Supreme Faith continues the saga with the post Diana Ross Supreme's, and we learn how Ms. Wilson managed to remain a star. After having 2 Top Ten Hits (Up The Ladder To The Roof, and Stoned Love) in 1970, the rest of the decade prooved unkind to the group, and internal turmoil coupled with Flo' death at the young age of 32 just added to the struggle. Mary Wilson "officially" went solo in 1979, and she almost was signed by Neil Bogart to his post Casablanca label, Boardwalk, but then Neil was lost to cancer. Once again Diana Ross is discussed, but not made a villian.

Mary Wilson along with a number of other "old school" R & B singers have been featured in a great documentary "Only The Strong Survive", and Mary is just that a strong, survivor.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!, July 7, 2003

By 

S. Castellano "DJ Lady Maverick" (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dreamgirl and Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme (Paperback)

Mary Wilson tells THE story without holding back. In addition, telling her own life story before, during, and after the Supremes was just as good. The untimely passing of her youngest son, told towards the end of the book, was a tear-jerker, as a feeling of empathy washed over me. She talks about her friendship with Flo, her love-hate relationship with Diana, and her loves, including her abusive relationship with her ex-husband. Great pictures and memorabilia (who would have thought that they had their own white bread!)!