Originally Posted by
sup_fan
this is actually the first I've ever heard of the Sups and Tops being considered for a joint Sullivan appearance. Was this really a concept Motown was taking to the Sullivan team? or just a fan concept?
I do think it would have helped record sales a little for RDMH. it was already a top 20 hit. possibly would have moved it to closer to a #10 ranking. The 4 Tops were not top draws for tv appearances, while the Sups still were in 70. So i'm not sure if this type of a duet concept would have been of a really high interest to producers
I do agree that more care and thought should have been given to timing of releases and content recorded. But remember that even as of 71, 72, Motown was still very focused on quantity of recordings and on singles. Marvin and Stevie were only just starting to force Motown into the album area. Groups like the Sups were forced to just crank out recordings and then they were cobbled together into lps. The philosophy was record a shitload of materials and we'll find 10 - 12 of the best to shove onto an album. In hindsight, this might have generated money at the time but was a detriment to the artists and group's longterm respectability and reputation.
Motown also seemed to have a habit of throwing tons of stuff at the wall and then seeing what sticks. with the new Sups and even Ross, they spent 70 and 71 doing all sorts of stuff. Sups recorded tons of different materials. Ross did first debut lp, Everything is Everything, Surrender, Diana tv special, etc. it's just that there was more follow up with the Ross efforts cuz Gordy was personally managing it.
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