Standing At the Crossroads Of Love

[RanRan79]

It made sense to me to release Reflections lp first in 1967 and then a hits album....but the group almost ended as Motown didn't feel the Supremes could survive the loss of Ballard and HDH.
I think the Happening would have fit well into this album

I don't buy the Ross going solo after "Reflections" story. If that was the case, why go through the hassle of firing Florence, hiring Cindy, rehiring Flo, buying Cindy out of her contract, waiting Florence out, firing Flo again...if it was all so that "Reflections" could hit the street as the swan song and Diana go on her merry way without the Supremes anyway?

[sup_fan]

I don't buy the Ross going solo after "Reflections" story. If that was the case, why go through the hassle of firing Florence, hiring Cindy, rehiring Flo, buying Cindy out of her contract, waiting Florence out, firing Flo again...if it was all so that "Reflections" could hit the street as the swan song and Diana go on her merry way without the Supremes anyway?

i believe the DR solo idea was about a year earlier, fall of 66. As things began to disintegrate within the group, I believe there was some initial idea of Diana leaving. she was carrier the majority of the burden of the group on her shoulders and not earning any more money for it. She was in the studios much more than M or F, the spokesperson, etc. It was clear that the group wasn't going to sustain much longer with all of the internal problems so a natural idea would be to think about her going solo. But it was Berry who wasn't 100% sure about things. thought it was premature.

So the idea then evolved to having her name brought out in front. And during the DRATS era, her work load increased even more as she now really was a solo singer with background vocal support. But using the established brand platform of "The Supremes" to launch herself into a solo career.

[SatansBlues]

i believe the DR solo idea was about a year earlier, fall of 66. As things began to disintegrate within the group, I believe there was some initial idea of Diana leaving. she was carrier the majority of the burden of the group on her shoulders and not earning any more money for it. She was in the studios much more than M or F, the spokesperson, etc. It was clear that the group wasn't going to sustain much longer with all of the internal problems so a natural idea would be to think about her going solo. But it was Berry who wasn't 100% sure about things. thought it was premature.

So the idea then evolved to having her name brought out in front. And during the DRATS era, her work load increased even more as she now really was a solo singer with background vocal support. But using the established brand platform of "The Supremes" to launch herself into a solo career.

But wasn't that true of all the lead singer? Perhaps the Supremes were busier, but look at the Miracles. Smokey was just as busy writing, producing and singing, not to mention other business duties at Motown.