 Raised by
her aunt and uncle in Detroit, Wilson began singing in her local church choir as a
teenager. There she met Florence Ballard, with whom she formed an R&B vocal
group called the Primettes (The), and subsequently the Supremes (The).
Mary remained a backing vocalist with the group from their
inception in 1960 until 1977, becoming the senior member after the departure of Diana
Ross in 1969, and taking occasional lead vocals from 1974 onwards. At that time, she
re-negotiated the Supremes" recording contract, so that she owned 50 per cent of the
group's name, though Motown Records maintained a veto over its use.
After the Supremes disbanded in 1977, Wilson filed a legal suit
against Motown which was settled out-of-court. She then put together a fresh line-up of
the group for a UK tour in 1978, before beginning a solo recording career in 1979.
After the Hal Davis-produced Mary Wilson proved a
commercial failure, Motown rejected her 1980 demos, and she was left without a recording
contract. She continued to tour throughout the 80s as "Mary Wilson of the
Supremes", appearing in the 1983 film Tiger Town and contributing to the
soundtrack album. In 1986, she published a controversial autobiography, in which she
attacked both Diana Ross and Motown boss, Berry Gordy.
In 1989 she starred in the stage production of The Beehive
in Toronto and in 1990 published the second volume of her memoirs.Call CJ DiRoma at 856-665-5513 for more information and availability |
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