Customer Reviews

Dreamgirl and Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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!

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.

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!)!

Mary Wilson has rereleased "Dreamgirl", the best selling Rock & Roll Biography of all time, along with her second book which focuses on The 70's Supremes & beyond. When Mary wrote Dreamgirl she made history in being the first Motown Artist to break rank with the company & tell the truth as much as it could be told without a lawsuit. Trust me, there IS much, much more to tell. If you compile all Motown related books by those who were there and those who weren't, Mary's rings very, very true. Much truer than some others.

Mary Wilson is the founding member of the world's favorite and legendary girlgroup, The Supremes. In this book, she tells the truth of Motown and how their treatment of the girls either ruined or glamorized their lives (La Ross). This book is very emotional and is the best I've read in years. I commend Mary for being the first to tell the honest-to-God truth. She is the supreme Supreme. If you think you know everything about the Supremes, you best read this book. There are secrets and events here that I've never even heard of -- and I have all of their records! Buy this book, you won't regret it. Trust me.

Once again the public is treated to more than glimpses of the highly public facts of Mary Wilson's life. Her books are a real window to her soul.It is a soul that is warm and accessable that shows here, just as it did at the sold out concert I saw her perform this August. We are thoroughly updated on her struggle to protect the legacy of the phenomenal Supremes(33 top forty hits from 1964 thru 1976)!. While she rightfully takes pride in the fact that she was the only member there from beginning to end, the dark times (the late 70s through early 80s) are recorded here too. She does this with as much candor as the halcyon days. More than this though, we can grasp the essence why she endured and triumphed becoming the only "back up singer" in Motown's history to launch a highly successful solo career. She doesn't personally attack Diana Ross as some would have us believe, in fact, her lack of bitternes shows clearly- she never even acknowledges what scores reviewers has said- that her voice has better range, power, and emotive ability than Ross's can even approach. She ends the book looking to the next horizon, ever wanting to reach new heights. I found myself thinking, as I turned the last page, what thousands of fans, old and new a like, shouted at the concert "I love you Mary" and "You are THE SUPREME"!

Taken simply as an insider's view of the music biz and entertainment world, this books ranks as one of THE best I've ever read. I did not expect to find myself so thoroughly involved once the pages started turning. I had skipped Ms. Wilson's first book, "Dreamgirl - My Life As A Supreme". Now I realize why it caused such a stir upon its release 17 years ago.

I must say, I will never listen a Supremes song quite the same way again, or for that matter, view Diana Ross the same way either. Ahh, the price of fame, as thouroughly illustrated on these pages -- what they do to friendships, relationships, love, understanding, etc. Sad to say, there are no winners in the end, as shown in the sad, sad demise of Flo Ballard, and Ms. Wilson's continuous struggle to achieve recognition for herself as the forgotten Supreme. Even Ms. Ross, as evidenced by her embarrassing public mishaps in 2003, has met her demise as her once-secretive substance and alcohol abuse is no longer a secret. Perhaps Ms. Ross is still wrestling with her own personal demons from her past?

Still, Mary Wilson has to be applauded for her courage and honesty for writing another heartfelt tome to her life and its joys, sorrows, struggles, and triumphs (of which there are too few here). Some Amazon readers may choose to view this book as a "way of settling old scores". To me, this book is a story of a person's long journey to cope with life's endless journey of self realization and discovery. As exemplified in Ms. Wilson's book, it is one that is inspiring and deeply moving.

A great read. This book chronicles The Supremes story. Intimate accounts of Wilson/Ballard/Ross and the Motown machine good and bad. The first and best documented story of The Supremes an American and international treasure, legendary DIVAS. This historical and inspirational account of The Supremes will make you cry, laugh and even make you SAD and you may even find yourself humming a few tunes. Don't be fooled this is not a Miss Ross bashing. This is the story of Mary Wilson of the Supremes and how her life was shaped yesterday and today. You will be informed not only Where did the LOVE go, but also where did the MONEY GO?

AND IT IS SAID ALL SHE DID WAS OOH! AND AHH! QUESS WHO IS SINGING LEAD NOW? BEST SELLING AUTHOR MARY WILSON-SOMEDAY WE WILL BE TOGETHER?

I first read the DREAMGIRL section of the book back in the late 1980s, and I have to say that I was completely unaware at that time of how treacherous Diana Ross was in her bid for fame. Being a Ross fan, I was hurt to know that she put her need for attention and fame ahead of her friendship with Mary, Flo and other people that helped her out in the beginning of her career, such as Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams of the Temptations. Maybe Mary had written the book at that time as a means of gaining some attention for herself, but I also think that it was something people needed to know. Plus it was a way of attempting to let go of the anger and frustration she had bottled up inside.

The SUPREME FAITH part of the book, which I read just recently, I found to be very open and honest. Many celebrities don't want the public to know that they have flaws, nor do they want to acknowledge to themselves that they have them. However, I was wondering why she allowed herself to continually let her husband abuse her. Being a survivor of domestic abuse myself, I felt bad for her, thinking that her love for her husband could conquer all, or that she could change his behavior. But I still enjoyed this book. It was obvious to me that Berry Gordy didn't care about what happened to the Supremes after Ross left, and just wanted them to die. Props to Mary for being the TRUE Supreme all these years, while a certain someone wanted to forget that she was ever a part of the group that made her a star.

Mary Wilson, one of the original Supremes; has written two best-selling books. "Dreamgirl" in 1986 and "Supreme Faith" in 1989. In the year 2000 she combined them in this edition with an additional chapter. Overall this pagkage makes what I personally consider an excellent autobiography.

She has an emotionally honest candor and a refreshing perspective throughout. When I read this book, I wasn't a big fan of the Supremes, but I ultimately related to the powerful recollections of the rise of the Supremes and the late Florence Ballard's fall from grace.. I honestly felt connected to these girls and these events as well as the feelings of triumph and defeat that seemed to happen simultaneously.

Despite what many say (particularly some of the previous reviewers) this book does not "trash" Diana Ross. Mary does however reveal her true personal feelings towards her and her actions which are somewhat resentful but also adequately praising..Despite this, she was almost universally criticised by many of Diana Ross' fans for her honesty. But in my opinion she remains as balanced as any autobiographer (especially one in her position) could. I challenge those who think otherwise to find a more fair, balanced account of both Motown and The Supremes elsewhere..

Personally my favorite book was "Supreme Faith", I found this book to be even more honest and even more harrowing than Dreamgirl was. In Supreme Faith, she primarily writes about the successes and ultimate demise of the Supremes in the 70s after Diana Ross' departure. After reading this book, I became primarily a fan of the 70s Supremes and their wonderful records. It was a real eyeopener reading about some of the inner workings in Motown and the struggle of Mary and the ladies of the 70s Supremes (Jean, Cindy, Lynda, Scherrie and Susaye) working against Motown's lack of support, trying to keep the group alive. The additional chapter (despite it only being one chapter) was very riveting, and truly make light of the continuing saga of the Supremes and where Mary Wilson stands today.

In both books she dishes enough juicy details to keep people interested, while still remaining honest and fair. I first read these books in their separate editions three years ago and I still go back to them. I encourage readers to approach this book with an open mind, I hope they will enjoy it as much as I did.