Customer Reviews

All That Glittered (Onyx)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Obviously Miss Tony needed money so she/he told us an entertaining story filled with inaccurate gossipy information. One thing he/she did hit on was the fact that Mary Wilson was very two-faced when it came to Flo. I grew up near the Brewster projects and trust me Diana is not the only one with issues.

This was THE book that was supposed to take the lid off the secret SUPREMES. While it delivers in the sense that it offers
up some juicy bits of backstage gossip, it sheds no new light on
the rise and eventual fall of the legendary girl group. The
first two thirds of the book gather momentum at breakneck speed
only to stall in the last chapters. The famous third act curse.
Berry Gordy was the brains. Diana Ross did what she was told.
Mary Wilson partied and boyfriended her way around the world.Flo
Ballard whined and drank.Curtain.The end.What's missing is the
"final" final chapter on Florence Ballard. Briefly addressed in
the book, Flo Ballard did NOT die broke. She agreed to a "secret"
settlement with "someone" and was well on her way to her former
lifestyle. If Mr. Turner was the fixture in her life he'd have us
believe, he should have REALLY delved into that. Where was he then? Someone should write a book about the real egomaniac who
caused all the trouble. It wasn't Ross. How about a REAL Mary Wilson book?

I grew up watching the Supremes on TV and buying their records, so I eagerly bought Tony Turner's book; I have mixed opinions about it; many passages have the ring of truth to them, so I don't think it was total lies and garbage as some posters suggest; but quite a bit was rehashed from Mary Wilson's "Dreamgirl" book (the fight between Diana and Flo at the department store, Diana getting enraged by Flo showing off in the street, both of those stories are directly lifted from "Dreamgirl.") And, like several earlier posters are wondering, WHERE ARE HIS PICTURES of his times w/ the Supremes?

I was very surprised at the paltry photo selection, many of them widely-seen before in other publications. Also, even though I loved Flo and was saddened by her death, I recall that it was barely noticed when she was replaced by Cindy Birdsong; most fans were unaware of the change, they thought Cindy was still Flo standing back there! Overall, the book is an interesting read though, for die hard Supremes fans.

I have read a lot of books about the Supremes and Motown and thought that this would be an interesting and edifying read, however I think it was just a lot of made up gossip. I believe Tony Turner met the Supremes and may have befriended Flo in some way, but it is very hard to believe that a grown woman would frequently call a young boy and update him on what she and her Motown sisters were doing, in addition to sharing with him whatever scandals may or may not have occured.

I also think that it is very sad that Tony took personal things the Supremes may have shared with him and made it public. It sounded as though he was one of the "users" that he mentions in his book. Cutting school and spending your money on clothes so that you can look good and attend concerts featuring the Supremes sounds like he may have had some serious self esteem issues.

I was turned off by many things he said and doubt that most of it is 100% true. I have met Mary Wilson and it doesn't ring true that she would have done or said many of the things he alleges in his diary of misinformation.

I can only recommend reading this if you like reading fantasy!

I was lucky and had a friend send me this book so I didn't have to line the pockets of Miss Turner.

It's interesting to note, that during the book La Turner "quotes" Florence refering to Diana Ross as "Diana" and not "Diane" which was her known name by her friends and you can even hear interviews with Florence calling her "Diane".

And isn't it funny that as "close" to Florence as Turner claims .... there are NO pictures of she and with Florence?

i thought bull...when i first picked up the book and read the back cover...i read the first chapter and could not put it down...for one it is well written and at times gripping...personally i truly enjoyed the book...tony made his recollections of flo ballard seem as if you were with them having a good time...me...i am good for trashing a book and refusing to go past the first few pages if it does not hold me...this book is good....go get it!!!

Many times I would sit in Mr. Turners kitchen in his N.Y. home listening to stories of the girls. His memory is photographic, his detail and story telling are riveting. This is the closest to Florence Ballards story anyone will ever get. I have seen his scrap books, photos and more. In fact Mary Wilson finished her "Dreamgirl" book in his home. My conversations with Cindy Birdsong made Mr. Turners book concrete fact. A definite book for all Supremes admirers.

To be honest, I really don't give a rat's behind if this book is a big fat lie or the thruth. I had fun reading it. It made me laugh, it made me sad, it made me angry, it was not boring at all. I have read it many times and never get tired of reading it. We all know the facts...Diana Ross was the star and the super bitch of the group, who didn't care who she hurt to get what she wanted. Mary Wilson was the one who was happy to be a part of something BIG, and remained there til the very end, and Flo, ...."aaaannd I am tellin' You... I'm NOT gooooin!" was the one who thought FAIR IS FAIR and wouldn't take no crap. True or Not, this book was a fun read.

Tony, I read the book.Once I started Isimply "could not put it down". This story is truly amazing because you can actually travel into time and feel the emotions that three young women felt. Well as for Flo, what a wonderful,giftedtalented and stong young woman.It was such a shame that she never had the chance to explode as the "One and True Diva". I can only imagine that she was the "silent one" to Diana, if only we could listen to them trading the leads. Do not get it wrong, they are both different and very talented, your ears really posess the truth with this. Everyone knows that this was not "a fair game," with many motown artist thanks to Mr.Berry Gordy and the crew. It is true, that if something is standing in a persons way from gaining the success desired for themselves, theylearn easily and efficiently of how to discourage, threaten,steal and destroyones life. If I had the money at this moment, this would be a film in the making. It wouldn't be bashing any of the girls, only to bring Flo up front for this once. So please, make this into a film for us. Thank you for a wonderful story told about your relationships with Flo and The Supremes!!

Tony Turner writes a fascinating portrait of his life as a Supremes "groupie". I enjoyed his vivid descriptions of their glamourous style with shock and laughter, especially the shopping sprees of which he was an eager participant and eyewitness. While I admire the talent of these female pioneers of Black popular music, I also feel sorry for them because of the way they broke up, the shattering of their friendship the tragic death of Florence Ballard, and the double-crossing tactics of Motown administration in the early days. These women needed better management in their music career, and proper education about their own finances to avoid being fleeced out of their hard-earned money. Although I have big problems with the raunchy lyrics and sexual overtones in present-day rap and R&B, I'm glad to see more young Black performers handling their business and taking control of their careers, which the Supremes didn't have. I will always admire the Supremes for their music,as well as being examples of African-American beauty and poise during a decade where we were told we were less than beautiful.