Originally Posted by
jim aka jtigre99
The Supremes after Diana Ross were absolutely terrific and maintained quality even with changes in personnel. It was harder to find their music after the first year or so. The second single went to #21 because it was a sing a long much like Ross' first single Reach Out, which fared about the same going to #20. Jean's voice stood out and it was distinctive, sounding like a cross between Ross and Dionne Warwick. Had Motown pushed them like they did when Diana Ross was there, it would have been a happier outcome with longevity. DRATS also had some sporadic chart action that was saved by Love Child,I'm Gonna make You Love Me and Someday. Ross had sporadic chart action, as well. But the difference is both ended up with #1 singles in between which kept the momentum going. Gordy reportedly didn't like Stoned Love and it had an unfounded drug connotation in its misprinted title.Had Stoned Love really been pushed to #1, the new Supremes would have had momentum. Jean was great on record, but her stage presence on television did not come over as well. She seemed nervous or uncomfortable. Both Mary and Cindy [[especially Mary) seemed to kick up their stage presence by being more vivacious then they had prior. Jean seemed more relaxed during the Lynda years but by then the group had another replacement and each chart action was falling progressively lower. Motown was focused on making movies. The Supremes had been the #1 female group in the country and even if Ross was the priority, they mishandled the group by not engineering their presence as they did when Ross was on board. Sure, they were on television, but to what means? They were no longer presented as the top group but as a new one just promoting their latest song, which had minimal airplay[[I almost screamed as a teen when I heard Automatically Sunshine on the radio ONCE and the next song I heard was I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking). Once Jean left, it was obvious Motown wanted the group to retire and if it weren't for Mary it would have been gone. Mary brought back Cindy, so recognizable as a Supreme and found a new and exciting voice in Scherrie Payne. They had the looks and the sound with Scherrie and Mary providing great leads. They had the glamour faction, which was perfect for the oncoming disco era and yet Motown didn't see how they had the group, its name, its glamour and one that could actually go into this new era and be a top force-although, Motown was late to the game with disco. Granted, visually the group looked terrific, vocally they were fresh and dynamic but I agree the dance routines during the last 2 eras were a bit much and they needed better direction to incorporate it. Payne, like Wilson and Birdsong , had stage presence and star quality. Once Birdsong left again to be replaced by Susaye Greene-they had 3 lead singers that sounded amazing on record. By this time, even with a top 40 hit[[which should have gone top 10-how could Motown not have pushed it big time?) the group was far from a priority at Motown. I think Motown decided once Ross left that the group would just trade on its name and they would just make their money from that and did not look at the group as continuing as a viable current presence-just one that would be marketed to capitalize on its past. Motown could have pushed Stoned Love to #1 and I'm Gonna Let My Heart to the top 10 easily. Motown's attention was elsewhere. I do not blame Jean for lacking Ross' presence, Mary for trying to get Motown to push the group, Ross for leaving as her career was spotty at times-it was Motown no longer understanding the possibilities of what the new Supremes were. It is to the credit of Mary, Jean, Cindy, Lynda, Scherrie and Susaye that their shear talent and will achieved the success that they did.