The Story of the Supremes [Hardcover]

Daryl Easlea (Author), Mary Wilson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

A dazzling celebration of one of the most successful musical groups of the sixties, The Story of the Supremes presents the incredible wardrobe that created the group’s unmistakable style and the billboards, posters, and photographs that made it timeless.

 

From their beginnings as The Primettes to the height of their glamour and fame in the seventies, The Supremes’ career has been nothing short of remarkable. Here, acclaimed music journalist Daryl Easlea traces the history of a group that was second only to the Beatles in number-one hits and whose success story helped change racial perceptions during the civil rights movement. A joyful tribute to the queens of Motown, The Story of The Supremes is a magnificent collection of dresses worn by Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and of course, Diana Ross, in concert, on television, and on the iconic album covers that defined an era of music.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Daryl Easlea was deputy editor at Record Collector and remains a regular contributor. He has also contributed to Mojo, Q, The Guardian, Uncut, The Independent, and The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. He is the author of Everybody Dance: Chic & the Politics of Disco.  Mary Wilson was an original member of The Supremes. She now lives in Las Vegas and is still recording. Her autobiography, Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme, a 1986 New York Times bestseller, was followed by Supreme Faith: Someday We’ll Be Together.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: V & A Publishing (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1851775528
• ISBN-13: 978-1851775521
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #779,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Supremes Story is indeed Supreme, October 24, 2008

By 

Michael D. Mahsetky - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story of the Supremes (Hardcover)

The Supremes Story is a beautiful book with photos of the most famous female singing group of all time. The book highlights their contribution to the civil rights movement and the way society viewed Black women and Black people generally. They inspired so many young people of all races with their style, glamour, and most of all their talent and individual beauty...Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Diana Ross. This book confirms their place in the musical, social, and cultural history of the world. Anywhere you go in the world, even today...everybody, no matter how young or old, whether in the mountains of Peru or the cities in any part of the world know and understand the significance of the most famous hand gesture of all..."Stop!" in the Name of Love...Hats off to the Supremes. Michael Mahsetky

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for Supremes Fans, June 14, 2009

By 

James A. Najjar "Jim Najjar" (Annapolis, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Story of the Supremes (Hardcover)

To her credit Mary Wilson realized part of the legacy of Diana Ross and The Supremes was the glamour they projected as America's most famous female vocal group of all time, in addition to their wonderful recordings and live performances. Therefore she collected many of their designer gowns and costumes from the early days through her departure from the group in 1977. Various gowns from this treasure have appeared in exhibits in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland,Ohio as well as The Supremes hometown,Detroit. This book is a keepsake from the exhibit at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. In connection with this exhibit the museum also made available a two CD keepsake set that includes 50 tracks from the early recordings through the Jean Terrell years. Mary Wilson reveals in the foreword that the she began the gown collection to preserve this era in pop music. Daryl Easlea's essay provides the reader information on how The Supremes and Motown had an impact not only on the pop music of the 1960's and 1970's, but on society globally. For those who were not alive during this era, the book is a wonderful collection of LP covers; souvenir concert programs, publicity photos, posters,single picture sleeves and shots from their many TV appearances. However there are no photos of Primette Betty McGlown,nor of any of the post 1960's Supremes, although the High Energy LP cover makes an appearance and the hit Stoned Love is shown in a montage of song titles. Still this book will bring pleasant memories to the long time fans who will remember this era and be a reliable resource that captures the history making era in pop music. Consider buying the CD set as it has other photos and single picture sleeves not in this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Supremes Forever, October 18, 2008

By 

Linda Mclean - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Story of the Supremes (Hardcover)

I thought this book was composed of some of the most remarkable pictures of The Supremes era. Truly worth while for long time Supreme fans!