Mary and Diana only got $100,000 ..whaaaaat?

[bradsupremes]

I always thought it was $100,00 for the total group, not each lady.

Someone made a good point about this a while ago. If the Supremes performed 2 shows at an arena that sat 7,000 people and tickets sold for $5.00 each. That would mean they would have pulled in $35,000 per show [[$70,000 total for 2 shows). Now you have to deduct expenses for crew, advertising, etc. but it's clear the ladies would have taken home a good amount of that money. The ladies were constantly on the road. Touring alone would have brought in a great deal of money. This doesn't even include album/singles sales. We know Motown refused to have the RIAA oversee the sale figures instead the label itself did their own. I think this is where the ladies truly lost out. Motown screwed them over [[and every other Motown artist).

It should also be noted the ladies paid for everything...limos, gowns, photo sessions, etc. When you see a Supremes photo on Getty Images from the Michael Ochs Archives, the ladies paid for that photo. A Supremes gown on display, they paid for those gowns. If they paid for it, it technically belongs to them and shouldn't have to pay for it a second time around.

[marv2]

I always thought it was $100,00 for the total group, not each lady.

Someone made a good point about this a while ago. If the Supremes performed 2 shows at an arena that sat 7,000 people and tickets sold for $5.00 each. That would mean they would have pulled in $35,000 per show [[$70,000 total for 2 shows). Now you have to deduct expenses for crew, advertising, etc. but it's clear the ladies would have taken home a good amount of that money. The ladies were constantly on the road. Touring alone would have brought in a great deal of money. This doesn't even include album/singles sales. We know Motown refused to have the RIAA oversee the sale figures instead the label itself did their own. I think this is where the ladies truly lost out. Motown screwed them over [[and every other Motown artist).

It should also be noted the ladies paid for everything...limos, gowns, photo sessions, etc. When you see a Supremes photo on Getty Images from the Michael Ochs Archives, the ladies paid for that photo. A Supremes gown on display, they paid for those gowns. If they paid for it, it technically belongs to them and shouldn't have to pay for it a second time around.

They each got $100,000 in 1970 when Diana left the group. Jean Terrell said that if another artist was appearing in town say like Las Vegas, flowers would be sent on behalf of, but not authorize by the Supremes congratulating them and the Supremes would be charged for them.

[BayouMotownMan]

They each got $100,000 in 1970 when Diana left the group. Jean Terrell said that if another artist was appearing in town say like Las Vegas, flowers would be sent on behalf of, but not authorize by the Supremes congratulating them and the Supremes would be charged for them.

This is not true. In 1971 Mary Wilson decided [[at the urging of Jean Terrell and others) to have an accounting of her earnings and have all monies given to her. She no longer wanted to go through Motown to purchase things. Gordy protested but eventually he had to do it. This is when she says she had $100K in cash after taxes. However, she still had other investments. She had been receiving complaints from fans joining the Supremes Fan Club Motown had for them which was a big rip-off. One 8X10, a generic newsletter and no monthly newsletters of group activities. She then commissioned Randy Taraborrelli to open a Fan Club whereby she could be in contact with the fans monthly. Motown disliked this as well

After the success of the diana album in 1980, Ross started getting offers from other labels. She too demanded an accounting [[recommended by then boyfriend Gene Simmons) and was shocked that she had about $250K cash after taxes plus other investments. She also had other investments, but some articles like clothes and cars she was upset to find out were owned by Motown and leased to her. This played a large part into her decision to accept the RCA offer.

It is true, each Motown artist paid for everything, right down to Christmas gifts the company gave them.

[marv2]

This is not true. In 1971 Mary Wilson decided [[at the urging of Jean Terrell and others) to have an accounting of her earnings and have all monies given to her. She no longer wanted to go through Motown to purchase things. Gordy protested but eventually he had to do it. This is when she says she had $100K in cash after taxes. However, she still had other investments. She had been receiving complaints from fans joining the Supremes Fan Club Motown had for them which was a big rip-off. One 8X10, a generic newsletter and no monthly newsletters of group activities. She then commissioned Randy Taraborrelli to open a Fan Club whereby she could be in contact with the fans monthly. Motown disliked this as well

After the success of the diana album in 1980, Ross started getting offers from other labels. She too demanded an accounting [[recommended by then boyfriend Gene Simmons) and was shocked that she had about $250K cash after taxes plus other investments. She also had other investments, but some articles like clothes and cars she was upset to find out were owned by Motown and leased to her. This played a large part into her decision to accept the RCA offer.

It is true, each Motown artist paid for everything, right down to Christmas gifts the company gave them.

What I said is true. You can ask her if you want.

[marv2]

Motown and Berry Gordy had the Supremes on an allowance of $200 -225 a week and this was during the peak of their popularity in the mid-sixties. As late as 1974, whenever Mary Wilson wanted to buy a house or a new car she would have to go to Berry Gordy to have the funds released or for his co-signature! Can you believe it! I can tell that they took advantage of the original Supremes lack of knowledge regarding finances, etc because when Berry released Mary's cut of $100,000 he made out like it was a HUGE amount of money and asked her if she still would like him to manage it for her! Good grief! LOL!!!