Gordy passed on Aretha?

[macuncle]

From my understanding and being there back in the day, it was the other way around, Jimi. Gordy wanted Aretha worse than a hog wanted his slop! But Aretha didn't like the terms he had in his contract. It equated down to artist royalties. Now when she went over to Columbia Records, the contract had built-in "perks" that made Gordy's concessions very small. But Atlantic Records, under Jerry Wexler, gave Aretha a piano and said "GO" and we all know what happened after that.

[jobeterob]

Just as a matter of chart interest, Aretha Franklin is listed #16 amongst album artists; if you combine Diana Ross's numbers with the Supremes, Diana Ross comes in at #4 behind Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and The Beatles. On the singles chart, if you combine Diana Ross and the Supremes, she comes in at #2, behind the Beatles. Aretha is #8 amongst singles artists.

In the bio before her chart listings in Joel Whitburn's singles book, it says "Diana would rank within the Top 5 artists of the Rock Era if her solo and Supremes hits are combined."

This is not to take anything away from Aretha, the Supremes or Diana; all 3 entities have a storied history and enjoy special niches in the history or rock and soul.

[marv2]

Nope! Can't do that legitimately........they were two separate acts! Now if the Supremes had ended when Diane left to begin a solo career, then maybe you'd have a leg to stand on. If you are going to give Diane credit for the work The Supremes did as a group, then you have to give the same credit to Florence Ballard AND Mary Wilson which we know you are not too thrilled in doing that. By your logic Florence has 10 or so number ones and Mary has 12 or 13 number ones. Which is it?