You've heard this story from me before, but your post gives me a chance to repeat it. In 1976, I worked behind the counter of a little record shop and as a Supreme fan, always pushed their latest release. No one seemed interested in the latest Supremes album, High Energy, when I pointed it out to them. I still remember them saying "Oh that group is played out". So I took a piece of masking tape and covered part of the album that said "The Supremes" Then I showed it to customers and said it was a new High Energy album. No lie, right?
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I played a cut or two for them and they bought the album. A few of them called me up when they got home to tell me that I tricked them, but that they really liked the album. The following year, there was a new group called High Inergy.
After seeing that reaction from people in 1976 from the Supremes name, I always wondered if maybe they would have been successful if they left the Supremes name behind and started anew away from Motown