A message from Mary Wilson to all her fans

**Roberta75** · 05-26-2011, 12:54 PM

A message to all fans
Posted in Mary's Journal on May 26th, 2011 by MaryWilson

God does not like ugly and neither do I. Please leave Diane and I out of any petty talk.

- Mary Wilson

http://marywilson.com/

**chestersong** · 05-26-2011, 01:00 PM

i never check her website. maybe after the radio interview she checked out some threads or forums. that's a strangely small comment to make after all these years. something prompted it, though.

**Koach** · 05-26-2011, 01:29 PM

I made it known on here that a person calling his/herself Bear was making threatening comments about her on another message board, and I asked someone who knew her to let her know. I think it might have something to do with that.

**Roberta75** · 05-26-2011, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Koach

I made it known on here that a person calling his/herself Bear was making threatening comments about her on another message board, and I asked someone who knew her to let her know. I think it might have something to do with that.

There is a Yahoo group bearing Mary Wilson's name and some of the stuff written about Diana Ross is despicable. I'm sure if this was brought to Mary's attention it would make Miss Wilson very upset.

I wish people would stop the bashing individual former Supremes and just enjoy their wonderful music. I am a fan of all former Supremes and I know many others are too. What a shame that a very small minority insist on bashing certain Supremes that they don't even know on a personal level.

**selbmarsh2000** · 05-26-2011, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Koach

I made it known on here that a person calling his/herself Bear was making threatening comments about her on another message board, and I asked someone who knew her to let her know. I think it might have something to do with that.

http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=Hsq5pkzjSwY

Here's a sample of what Mary is talking about.

**selbmarsh2000** · 05-26-2011, 02:03 PM

Name: mary post.jpg
Views: 1403
Size: 66.9 KB

Here's a screen shot of Mary's post.

**Roberta75** · 05-26-2011, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by selbmarsh2000

http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=Hsq5pkzjSwY

Here's a sample of what Mary is talking about.

Oh my goodness. Such filth and cruelty. May the good Lord forgive them.

**telekin** · 05-26-2011, 02:17 PM

She seems web-savvy enough, but I know I would hate for Mary to see even a fraction of the hateful things people say about her and Diana on YouTube and elsewhere.. If she ever sees that Yahoo! group supposedly dedicated to her, I bet she'd be disturbed. I know I was. And I consider myself a fan, too.

**selbmarsh2000** · 05-26-2011, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by telekin

She seems web-savvy enough, but I know I would hate for Mary to see even a fraction of the hateful things people say about her and Diana on YouTube and elsewhere.. If she ever sees that Yahoo! group supposedly dedicated to her, I bet she'd be disturbed. I know I was. And I consider myself a fan, too.

She would probably ask for it to be shut down. I know if I were her and had "fans" like that I'd get a real big dog to protect me.

Same goes for that group of sick bastards that are attacking Mary as well as the ones that attack Diana.

**tamla617** · 05-26-2011, 02:44 PM

i just went on that youtube page,cant believe what i saw.i heard they were bad, but stroll on.how is it you cant report abuse etc on there?i'd ban the people and their IP address's.
avitinyourface[[a poster on there,nice name!) needs it fast, and hard in his.probably miss his brain by about 2 feet.

**telekin** · 05-26-2011, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Roberta75

There is a Yahoo group bearing Mary Wilson's name and some of the stuff written about Diana Ross is despicable. I'm sure if this was brought to Mary's attention it would make Miss Wilson very upset.

I wish people would stop the bashing individual former Supremes and just enjoy their wonderful music. I am a fan of all former Supremes and I know many others are too. What a shame that a very small minority insist on bashing certain Supremes that they don't even know on a personal level.

Sorry I missed this post Roberta. Should have looked before I posted mine.

I can understand being caught up to a certain degree, especially going back some years when things were heated. We're talking about fans after all, and everyone has their favourites. I know I was guilty of it too, to a certain extent [[though I was never much of a poster). But in the end, you're absolutely right. They were all a part of it and they all contributed something to The Supremes. Whatever issues that exist between them, is just that, between them. There's no reason why any of that should interfere with my enjoyment of the music, or to a lesser extent, with my feelings about people whom I've never met, or barely interacted with, and even if I will, may never really be involved with anyway.

I always wonder about the state of mind of people who, in most cases, are grown men and women who seem incapable of separating themselves. I recently looked at the product discussion forum on amazon.com for the Final Sessions, and saw a few postings from someone, who was not only saying negative things, but outright lies about Mary. And this is someone who supposedly has access to the ladies, too. I wonder how they'd feel if they knew what some of these people do and say online.

**sophisticated_soul** · 05-26-2011, 03:36 PM

I thank Mary Wilson for saying this. She is a lovely woman, as is Diana. I'm sure neither lady approves of the things that are said on their behalf, by folks who claim to be fans, but couldn't possibly be true fans. I've never understood those folks need to be so cruel, to Mary or Diana. I find it very sad. And it distracts from the legacy of one of the finest groups in the history of popular music.

**Roberta75** · 05-26-2011, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by telekin

Sorry I missed this post Roberta. Should have looked before I posted mine.

I can understand being caught up to a certain degree, especially going back some years when things were heated. We're talking about fans after all, and everyone has their favourites. I know I was guilty of it too, to a certain extent [[though I was never much of a poster). But in the end, you're absolutely right. They were all a part of it and they all contributed something to The Supremes. Whatever issues that exist between them, is just that, between them. There's no reason why any of that should interfere with my enjoyment of the music, or to a lesser extent, with my feelings about people whom I've never met, or barely interacted with, and even if I will, may never really be involved with anyway.

I always wonder about the state of mind of people who, in most cases, are grown men and women who seem incapable of separating themselves. I recently looked at the product discussion forum on amazon.com for the Final Sessions, and saw a few postings from someone, who was not only saying negative things, but outright lies about Mary. And this is someone who supposedly has access to the ladies, too. I wonder how they'd feel if they knew what some of these people do and say online.

Great posting telekin. The people that 'claim' to know Mary and Diana are normally the worst offenders when it comes to name calling and spreading hate. Those few obsessive fans are sad and disturbed and really need our prayers.

**selbmarsh2000** · 05-26-2011, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by telekin

Sorry I missed this post Roberta. Should have looked before I posted mine.

I can understand being caught up to a certain degree, especially going back some years when things were heated. We're talking about fans after all, and everyone has their favourites. I know I was guilty of it too, to a certain extent [[though I was never much of a poster). But in the end, you're absolutely right. They were all a part of it and they all contributed something to The Supremes. Whatever issues that exist between them, is just that, between them. There's no reason why any of that should interfere with my enjoyment of the music, or to a lesser extent, with my feelings about people whom I've never met, or barely interacted with, and even if I will, may never really be involved with anyway.

I always wonder about the state of mind of people who, in most cases, are grown men and women who seem incapable of separating themselves. I recently looked at the product discussion forum on amazon.com for the Final Sessions, and saw a few postings from someone, who was not only saying negative things, but outright lies about Mary. And this is someone who supposedly has access to the ladies, too. I wonder how they'd feel if they knew what some of these people do and say online.

I'll have to go back the amazon and take a look.

**selbmarsh2000** · 05-26-2011, 04:35 PM

Telekin - Thanks for the heads up about the asshole on amazon. There's some interesting info from another poster. This guy has some limited to connections to Scherrie and Lynda. He also [[per this other poster) several screen names on You Tube and goes around trashing Mary. One of his screen names "135Mendip' has a gay porn video up loaded. I reported it. Should see his account closed ASAP.

Anyone else that has a You Tube account ... please flag this jerk.

**kenneth** · 05-26-2011, 04:40 PM

The funny thing about that negative "review" on Amazon is that the reviewer clearly didn't buy the "Let Yourself Go" set. No one who felt that way about Mary Wilson and the other Supremes [[except for Diane), would purchase the set. So the "reviewer" just wanted to air his views on Mary [[and Jean, which was at least more positive).

Which begs the question...do you have a right to "review" a CD that you haven't purchased or listened to? I say no, unless it's a straight reissue of an original LP and you know the music. Of course, nothing you can do about it, but it's a little surprising that this person felt so much animosity towards Mary Wilson that he's trying to "poison the well" for others who might enjoy the set.

I'll put my review there soon and it will definitely be a positive one!

**Roberta75** · 05-26-2011, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by selbmarsh2000

One of his screen names "135Mendip' has a gay porn video up loaded. I reported it. Should see his account closed ASAP.

Porn on youtube? Whatever has this world come to. Another reason to keep our kids and grandchildren away from youtube.

**telekin** · 05-26-2011, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by selbmarsh2000

Telekin - Thanks for the heads up about the asshole on amazon. There's some interesting info from another poster. This guy has some limited to connections to Scherrie and Lynda. He also [[per this other poster) several screen names on You Tube and goes around trashing Mary. One of his screen names "135Mendip' has a gay porn video up loaded. I reported it. Should see his account closed ASAP.

Anyone else that has a You Tube account ... please flag this jerk.

glad to be of service, selbmarsh..

i bet he thought he was really being clever with that youtube alias, being able to comment on his own videos like that. i guess he forgot that he put his name on that porn he posted. he seems to have a thing for those bel ami boys.

**selbmarsh2000** · 05-26-2011, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by telekin

glad to be of service, selbmarsh..

he seems to have a thing for those bel ami boys.

Well he has SOME good tastes! They pulled the video BTW. The account is still there.

**selbmarsh2000** · 05-27-2011, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Roberta75

There is a Yahoo group bearing Mary Wilson's name and some of the stuff written about Diana Ross is despicable. I'm sure if this was brought to Mary's attention it would make Miss Wilson very upset.

My sources tell me that Mary's message has fallen on deaf [[and dumb) ears from that group. The spin being that the "petty talk" Mary spoke of "does not apply here".

**telekin** · 05-27-2011, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by selbmarsh2000

Well he has SOME good tastes! They pulled the video BTW. The account is still there.

haha, well i will give him that, at least..

Originally Posted by selbmarsh2000

My sources tell me that Mary's message has fallen on deaf [[and dumb) ears from that group. The spin being that the "petty talk" Mary spoke of "does not apply here".

i think some of these people are gonna need a little more than prayer..

Ramone Verona · 05-28-2011, 12:19 AM

I'm trying to discern what's worse.
People posting horrible things about Mary or Diana,
Or,
People posting links to horrible things about Mary or Diana.
It's like saying here's a picture of that horrible car crash.

**jobeterob** · 05-28-2011, 02:13 AM

Glad to see this from Mary.

It's so late in the day for the Motown stars and to see people trashing the various incarnations of groups and the individuals stars is disheartening. But it's a way of life in the internet age.

I wonder why some of her fans won't listen to her.

**theboyfromxtown** · 05-28-2011, 04:05 AM

Rob

Sometimes we need to be told stuff more than once before the message gets through!

**144man** · 05-28-2011, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by Ramone Verona

I'm trying to discern what's worse.
People posting horrible things about Mary or Diana,
Or,
People posting links to horrible things about Mary or Diana.
It's like saying here's a picture of that horrible car crash.

There's an unnecessarily unkind comment on Levi Stubb's style of singing on another thread that I'm not particularly keen on either.

**kenneth** · 05-28-2011, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by 144man

There's an unnecessarily unkind comment on Levi Stubb's style of singing on another thread that I'm not particularly keen on either.

Hello 144man,

I don't think that's a fair comparison. Ramone's comment was really just an opinion though, not meant to be unkind or nasty. A bit snarky, yes. But overall, he was just commenting on the style of Stubb's singing. I don't agree with him, by the way, but Stubb's voice did, I think tend to wear me out if I listened to it for a whole album. I felt this way about Edwin Starr as well, sometimes it was just too much "one note" of a style. That being said, I absolutely love both the Four Tops' "Breaking Through" and "Lost and Found" sets because there's a whole range of styles, and Levi sounds absolutely fantastic.

**midnightman** · 05-28-2011, 09:48 AM

Good that Mary put her foot down on the whole matter, it's disturbing that someone would spend that much time wishing ill will on someone they don't know especially when they don't know the true back story. No wonder the Supremes get such a bad rap because of idiots like that Bear dude.

**144man** · 05-28-2011, 10:22 AM

Kenneth, I'm not trying to score points here. The "cold garden hose" reference genuinely upset me.

**kenneth** · 05-28-2011, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by 144man

Kenneth, I'm not trying to score points here. The "cold garden hose" reference genuinely upset me.

I know that, believe me.

smark21 · 05-28-2011, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by 144man

Kenneth, I'm not trying to score points here. The "cold garden hose" reference genuinely upset me.

I just saw that comment, but it least it was a blunt opinion of Levi's work as a singer [[I can only take so much of Levi Stubbs myself as more often than not he becomes overwrought), which is appropriate for a listener to judge and not a statement about Levi Stubbs as a human being. Diana vs Mary flame wars tend to be about how fan perceive their characters and private lives, not about their vocal abilities and that's when they become very nasty.

**sophisticated_soul** · 05-28-2011, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by 144man

Kenneth, I'm not trying to score points here. The "cold garden hose" reference genuinely upset me.

It upset me as well 144man. I'm sure it upset others as well. I agree it's his opinion, and he has a right to state his opinion. But it was very unfortunate that he chose to be so callous toward other's feelings about Levi. Most people who care about Levi will ignore it, as is the best thing to do in cases like this. As such remarks are generally designed to iritate and bait. Consider the source, read his other posts, that's just who he is, that's what he does. I know others on the forum find him witty and amusing. I myself do not.
If he can't listen to Levi's voice very long, then listen to someone else. It's easy, real easy. Why rain on someone else's parade with remarks like that. It's unnecessary and unkind. I think the reason this remark stood out so much to me is that of late there have been fewer and fewer remarks like this being posted. Which I think has been great for understanding and respect on the forum.
Personally I've always thought Levi had an incredible voice. My personal Tops "Best Of" program is just under 80 minutes. I don't have any problem listening to it through and through.

**144man** · 05-28-2011, 03:24 PM

I've had my say and I'm over it now. Free speech is important, and I don't believe I have a right not to be offended. However I'd like a £1 for the number of times I'd written something, read it through, then canceled it without posting because I thought I'd gone too far. I just wish people would think a bit more before they post.

**sophisticated_soul** · 05-28-2011, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by 144man

I just wish people would think a bit more before they post.

I agree. It's a really easy and simple thing to do. It shows respect and maturity.

**selbmarsh2000** · 05-28-2011, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by Ramone Verona

I'm trying to discern what's worse.
People posting horrible things about Mary or Diana,
Or,
People posting links to horrible things about Mary or Diana.
It's like saying here's a picture of that horrible car crash.

Well Ramone, the reason I posted that link .... and I'm sorry that it offended you ... is that in that You Tube link and also in reference to the Yahoo group ... there is a few members in this forum that are the people that have posted the childish comments on the internet ... yet they have been time and time come in here and played all nice and sweet.

PS. If my words cause me to be banned so be it. I am sick and damn tired of these vultures talking shit and lying and not fessing up to their words and action.

**jobeterob** · 05-30-2011, 02:51 AM

Responsible people on this forum need to remind people of Mary's words if they act up again, on here, on Youtube or anywhere else.

Obviously Ms. Wilson is aware of them. What they've done has made a bad name for themselves and at times the Forums they particpate in and Mary is clearly aware of them and the damage they've done.

**Alan** · 06-06-2011, 04:15 AM

Originally Posted by chestersong

i never check her website. maybe after the radio interview she checked out some threads or forums. that's a strangely small comment to make after all these years. something prompted it, though.

I wrote to Mary to let her know how bad it has become. A big fan of hers from her Yahoo group posted this inane, nasty, off topic entry about Diana Ross. Her fans responded in kind and soon it was a bash fest the likes of which drove me from reading YouTube comment pages. He asked group members to thumbs up his entry, so I checked it out. All that negativity for what? To speculate why Diana Ross wasn't on the finale? I sent examples of the anti - Diana rhetoric to Mary and knew how she'd react. She was horrified and put a stop to it at once by contacting a perpatrator and making a public statement.

**jobeterob** · 06-07-2011, 07:21 PM

Good for you Alan; we need more people like you.

I've always felt that these bad kinds of fans have helped put the nail in the coffin for any one song reunions or any potential awards for the Supremes.

**captainjames** · 06-07-2011, 09:10 PM

The fans are responsible for keeping some of the fire going and I agree with Ms. Wilson it is out of control at this point. However the match was lit with books and interviews that became public.

**jobeterob** · 06-08-2011, 06:50 PM

Good point Cptn.

Interesting that it always seems like you reap what you sow and that life generally levels out over time for everyone. Perhaps what was started came full circle and has sealed certain fates now.

I always recall Juice telling me either privately or publicly on SD [[I forget which) that history happened the way it happened and nothing is going to change it now.

**captainjames** · 06-08-2011, 10:10 PM

And Juice was very wise at saying this.

Originally Posted by jobeterob

Good point Cptn.

Interesting that it always seems like you reap what you sow and that life generally levels out over time for everyone. Perhaps what was started came full circle and has sealed certain fates now.

I always recall Juice telling me either privately or publicly on SD [[I forget which) that history happened the way it happened and nothing is going to change it now.

**jobeterob** · 06-09-2011, 02:21 AM

I wonder if Mary is saying the same thing.

**theboyfromxtown** · 06-09-2011, 09:20 AM

.....or thinking it..

To be fair, some of that stuff was part of the promoting of the group and Mary's concerns would not have necessarily have been considered.

The fact that Motown would only record Diana and not Mary or Cindy was not something that Mary had control over. Motown were calling the shots.

**chestersong** · 06-09-2011, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by captainjames

The fans are responsible for keeping some of the fire going and I agree with Ms. Wilson it is out of control at this point. However the match was lit with books and interviews that became public.

i believe the statement you make is very true. i often wonder if fans had only the music's liner notes to read, how different the conversations would be today? but with the offerings of all these "my real story" books, of which Mary was in on as well as the first supreme to do so, the "facts" about Motown and different groups have served to about do them in. i suppose the books were bound to happen anyway. it's curious that the very man who started this thread just loves to bait the complete forum with topics to divide people.

**jobeterob** · 06-09-2011, 02:20 PM

Roberta is a man?? Oh well........

With Supremes topics, what is relevant discussion to one person is "baiting" to another.

As an example, I think in the discussion of Supremes history that the fact that Mary Wilson sold about 5000 solo records in her life is relevant and that Florence Ballard sold about 1000 solo records is relevant. But to some of their committed core fans, that is baiting. I assume they find that hurtful and demeaning that they didn't sell more. I see it simply as a fact.

I don't think it was baiting for this note from Mary to be posted. I think it was one of the more important postings in a long while.

We all need to remember that these forums are small; there are only 257 odd active members on SD; a few of us participate; most people don't. These artists are old; as we found out recently, most members of the public don't really know who Patti Labelle is; you might hear them say she is an old time singer. Even fewer people know a second member of the Supremes.

**Roberta75** · 06-09-2011, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by jobeterob

Roberta is a man?? Oh well.........

Excuse me sir, but I am not a man. Wherever did you get such an idea?

Roberta.

**marybrewster** · 06-09-2011, 02:41 PM

"As an example, I think in the discussion of Supremes history that the fact that Mary Wilson sold about 5000 solo records in her life is relevant and that Florence Ballard sold about 1000 solo records is relevant."

rob, what I don't get though is: while I do agree this information is relevant, why does it need to be brought up 1000 times over? It seems when these sales figures are brought up, it's not for fact or relevancy. It's more to put Mary and Florence in their "place". Case in point, I never hear how many records Jean Terrell sold, or how many copies of "Partners" were sold.

Bringing one down to build another up is nonsense.

**marybrewster** · 06-09-2011, 02:45 PM

And.....LOL.....

When you consider that Mary Wilson has released "Mary Wilson", "Walk the Line", "I am Changing" and "Up Close", don't you think 5000 solo records in her life is a little low?

Florence; I guess 1000 may make more sense, since she only had one release.

**Roberta75** · 06-09-2011, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by marybrewster

"As an example, I think in the discussion of Supremes history that the fact that Mary Wilson sold about 5000 solo records in her life is relevant and that Florence Ballard sold about 1000 solo records is relevant."

rob, what I don't get though is: while I do agree this information is relevant, why does it need to be brought up 1000 times over? It seems when these sales figures are brought up, it's not for fact or relevancy. It's more to put Mary and Florence in their "place". Case in point, I never hear how many records Jean Terrell sold, or how many copies of "Partners" were sold.

Bringing one down to build another up is nonsense.

I agree marybrewster. Their record sales do not it affects anyone here's bank account. Besides it's ancient history. Mary Wilson's Motown album was released almost 35 years ago. Time to move on.

**marybrewster** · 06-09-2011, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Alan

I wrote to Mary to let her know how bad it has become. A big fan of hers from her Yahoo group posted this inane, nasty, off topic entry about Diana Ross. Her fans responded in kind and soon it was a bash fest the likes of which drove me from reading YouTube comment pages. He asked group members to thumbs up his entry, so I checked it out. All that negativity for what? To speculate why Diana Ross wasn't on the finale? I sent examples of the anti - Diana rhetoric to Mary and knew how she'd react. She was horrified and put a stop to it at once by contacting a perpatrator and making a public statement.

Hi Alan:

Out of curiosity, did you also send examples to Diana about all of the anti-Mary rhetoric?