70's Supremes final show 77 and live in Japan 75

[mwmr]

Do masters for these two exsist in the vaults??? Will they ever be released?

[BayouMotownMan]

There was an audio of the Supremes final 1977 performance at Drury Lane. I had that tape and might still have it in a box somewhere. There were brief plans to release this an an lp in the UK. The show was rather uncomfortable to my ears and there was obviously some competition going on amongst the ladies to be "heard" so to speak. It was a nervous time for the three ladies as Mary and Pedro announced Mary's departure...then rescinded it.

Supposedly the video of the 1974 Orient concert was damaged or destroyed. ABC was going to air it late on a Friday night. Motown blocked this because contracts with the ladies were still not signed.

[carlo]

The Drury Lane show was broadcast on UK radio in '77. I was always under the impression that the audio recording of this particular concert is not owned by Motown? I don't think it was Motown that recorded the show. I might be wrong.

[ivyfield]

I was at the what is now called the 'Farewell' show when at the time it was really 'Farewell Mary' and we all know what happened after the event. I had a couple of friends that worked at Motown at the time and I bought this tape from one of them. It clearly says 'Masters recorded by Capital Radio' - it also says it was recorded in May '77 - not true. The Supremes only performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for one night. The recording I have is this. Capital Radio did broadcast an edited version of the show a couple of weeks after the performance which, I must say was FANTASTIC. There were photographers there but no video footage was recorded. The place was packed and their opening support act was a young guy named Billy Ocean who at that time had just scored a couple of UK chart hits. I have incredible memories of the event... Ahhh memories!!!

[rod_rick]

So you have the actual show? What was the set list? I have the edited version on cd somewhere.

[kenneth]

I haven't heard the Drury Lane performance, but of course I would love to. When shopping on Ebay a few years back, bootleg of that performance was available as well as one recorded a few months before that at a casino with a French sounding name [[which escapes me at the moment). At the time, the seller, who had both CDs available, claimed the Drury Lane performance was not as good quality as the other. Of course, this would not have been a sound board recording or professionally done such as the one Ivyfield has. [[Needless to say, I'm very jealous!)

Anyway, I thought the earlier performance was very high quality and it is very listenable though it does have a few rough spots. But the girls sound outstanding and the song selection is great as it includes some of the songs they performed live but never recorded such as Susaye's "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" and "Everybody Gets to Go to the Moon."

[ivyfield]

I haven't heard the Drury Lane performance, but of course I would love to. When shopping on Ebay a few years back, bootleg of that performance was available as well as one recorded a few months before that at a casino with a French sounding name [[which escapes me at the moment). At the time, the seller, who had both CDs available, claimed the Drury Lane performance was not as good quality as the other. Of course, this would not have been a sound board recording or professionally done such as the one Ivyfield has. [[Needless to say, I'm very jealous!)

Anyway, I thought the earlier performance was very high quality and it is very listenable though it does have a few rough spots. But the girls sound outstanding and the song selection is great as it includes some of the songs they performed live but never recorded such as Susaye's "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" and "Everybody Gets to Go to the Moon."

They opened the show with 'Everybody Gets To Go to the Moon/Corner Of The Sky' which worked very well. Truthfully, I haven't played the cassette for years [[who has a cassette player these days?) but my cassette was transferred direct from the Capital Radio open reel master and the quality is excellent. Now, I'm saying that - but I haven't played it for years. I'll need to take the tape to the studio where I'm working on Supremely Yours II and get the engineers there to try it out. Fingers crossed! I'm back in the studio next week so I'll take it with me and update you all...

[kenneth]

Ivyfield,

Yes, please! It'd be great to hear sometime. Good luck on getting a nice transfer of that rare performance.

[carlo]

A lot of fans have this recording as a bootleg. You just gotta find the right person and ask nicely...

[kenneth]

A lot of fans have this recording as a bootleg. You just gotta find the right person and ask nicely...

Hey, I'm nice to everyone! Please please please!

[blueskies]

Hey Steve, you mentioned working on Supremely Yours II.....what's this? I've not heard this mentioned before. Is it with the FLOS, new recordings??

[marv2]

Do masters for these two exsist in the vaults??? Will they ever be released?

The Supremes [[Mary, Cindy and Scherrie) "Live In Japan" concert/recording was in 1974 not 1975.

I don't know about any master recordings in the "vaults", but both shows were recorded professionally.

[marv2]

There was an audio of the Supremes final 1977 performance at Drury Lane. I had that tape and might still have it in a box somewhere. There were brief plans to release this an an lp in the UK. The show was rather uncomfortable to my ears and there was obviously some competition going on amongst the ladies to be "heard" so to speak. It was a nervous time for the three ladies as Mary and Pedro announced Mary's departure...then rescinded it.


Supposedly the video of the 1974 Orient concert was damaged or destroyed. ABC was going to air it late on a Friday night. Motown blocked this because contracts with the ladies were still not signed.

The concert from Japan was suppose to air in August 1974 on ABC's "Wide World of Entertainment". I never believed that the video footage was damage by water, fire or anything else.

Mary's departure from the Supremes was never rescended. Those shows that were contracted for in South America had nothing to do with Mary's farewell. When Scherrie and Susaye refused to do them, Mary had to do them with help from Cindy Birdsong and Debbie Sharpe. Looking back now, it probably was a big mistake on Scherrie & Susayes' part not doing those shows. They were "The Supremes" afterall.......well? Weren't they?

Marv

[marv2]

I was at the what is now called the 'Farewell' show when at the time it was really 'Farewell Mary' and we all know what happened after the event. I had a couple of friends that worked at Motown at the time and I bought this tape from one of them. It clearly says 'Masters recorded by Capital Radio' - it also says it was recorded in May '77 - not true. The Supremes only performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for one night. The recording I have is this. Capital Radio did broadcast an edited version of the show a couple of weeks after the performance which, I must say was FANTASTIC. There were photographers there but no video footage was recorded. The place was packed and their opening support act was a young guy named Billy Ocean who at that time had just scored a couple of UK chart hits. I have incredible memories of the event... Ahhh memories!!!

That's what it was, "Farewell Mary Wilson" her final concert with the Supremes. I remember I was at the Peristyle @the Museum of Art at the time they went on stage for that last show. The show was on June 12, 1977. The May '77 date is just another example of how things can get mislabeled and history gets screwed up!

Everything else you mentioned is accurate. Billy Ocean was the opening act. Billy had "Love Really Hurts Without You" by that time I believe.

There were tons of pictures taken that were seen here in the U.S. Mary brought Kessa out on stage while she sang at one point. "How Lucky Can You Get". Do you remember the Announcer for the show? I don't recall any video footage, but I have seen a lot of video footage from the 15th Anniversary concert at the Roostertail in Detroit. Very similiar show as the Farewell show give and take a few selections.

[jeff9nyc]

I have both the audio shows...and I have to say, I never listen to them. They're a bit painful for this life long Supremes fan. They just aren't supreme :-[[

[smark21]

The Supremes Mary Wilson Farewell concert audio is up on youtube. Here’s part I. I must admit I’m not a big fan of the show—the arrangements are too Vegas for my taste and too much oversinging. The talent is certainly there, but was not utilized correctly IMO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FA-vFGJ1Rs

[ivyfield]

The concert from Japan was suppose to air in August 1974 on ABC's "Wide World of Entertainment". I never believed that the video footage was damage by water, fire or anything else.

Mary's departure from the Supremes was never rescended. Those shows that were contracted for in South America had nothing to do with Mary's farewell. When Scherrie and Susaye refused to do them, Mary had to do them with help from Cindy Birdsong and Debbie Sharpe. Looking back now, it probably was a big mistake on Scherrie & Susayes' part not doing those shows. They were "The Supremes" afterall.......well? Weren't they?

Marv

Marv, Motown told Scherrie & Susaye NOT to go. That was that. Anyway, they both felt that Drury Lane was the final show with Mary so when Motown said 'Don't go' they were both cool about it.

[captainjames]

That was and always has been my take on it.

Marv, Motown told Scherrie & Susaye NOT to go. That was that. Anyway, they both felt that Drury Lane was the final show with Mary so when Motown said 'Don't go' they were both cool about it.

[BayouMotownMan]

Fact. The Drury Lane engagement was announced worldwide as Mary's last performance with the Supremes

When the ladies returned to the States and Mary discovered that not only was there no solo lp project with Marvin Gaye as she foolishly announced on national tv, but apparently Motown was not even interested in signing her to a solo deal. Instead, they were assisting Scherrie and Susaye in finding a replacement for Mary.

This is when the S. American dates suddenly appeared. Prior to the Drury Lane engagement nothing had been said. Since this was announced as Mary's final performance, both Scherrie and Susaye declined to add even more confusion to an already messy situation by doing those dates. They did the right thing.

[luke]

Youre right Marv. Not a good move on Susaye and Scherrie's part IMO. Cindy once again helped save the day!

[marv2]

Marv, Motown told Scherrie & Susaye NOT to go. That was that. Anyway, they both felt that Drury Lane was the final show with Mary so when Motown said 'Don't go' they were both cool about it.

I understand what you are saying, but I hope you understand that we are talking about individuals here and how they dealt with the situation presented to them at that time. "Motown" or whoever was representing "Motown" to Scherrie & Susaye at that time may not have been able to "project" the overall fallout, consequences or what have you when they refused. "The Supremes" were supposed to be Scherrie & Susaye and a 3rd young lady. If they had gotten a 3rd singer to join them to do that tour, Mary could have remained out of the picture and the Supremes would have made what it would have looked like to the public, a seamless transition. That did not happen and you saw what happened.....the group was killed off!

[marv2]

Youre right Marv. Not a good move on Susaye and Scherrie's part IMO. Cindy once again helped save the day!

Yes Luke, they should have did that tour. If they did not want to do it with Mary [[AND Pedro Ferrer), they should have gotten their own new 3rd member [[even if temporarily) and went down there and did those shows. But instead their refusal cause acrimony that they, themselves may not have been aware of. It also opened the door wide open for others that were no longer associated with the group to get what they had long wanted!

[marybrewster]

History once again rewrites itself!

[jaybs]

I was at the what is now called the 'Farewell' show when at the time it was really 'Farewell Mary' and we all know what happened after the event. I had a couple of friends that worked at Motown at the time and I bought this tape from one of them. It clearly says 'Masters recorded by Capital Radio'

Part of the conditions the IBA set down in the 70's was if a commercial radio station sponsored/promoted a concert then you had to record it for possible live broadcasting. In Liverpool we had a truck we bought from The States with a full studio mix desk for all the many concerts we were involved in, often wondered what happened to all the masters, we promoted Marvin Gaye at The Liverpool Empire, 2 concerts and his fee for those days was expensive.

[marv2]

Fact. The Drury Lane engagement was announced worldwide as Mary's last performance with the Supremes

When the ladies returned to the States and Mary discovered that not only was there no solo lp project with Marvin Gaye as she foolishly announced on national tv, but apparently Motown was not even interested in signing her to a solo deal. Instead, they were assisting Scherrie and Susaye in finding a replacement for Mary.

This is when the S. American dates suddenly appeared. Prior to the Drury Lane engagement nothing had been said. Since this was announced as Mary's final performance, both Scherrie and Susaye declined to add even more confusion to an already messy situation by doing those dates. They did the right thing.

Why do you say foolishly? She wasn't being foolish, that is what her manager had told her. She did her job by mentioning it. You forget, Mary Wilson not an amatuer by 1977! She was VERY experienced at delivering Motown PR statements and how to promote current and future releases, concerts etc, etc.

If Motown was helping the Supremes find a replacement for Mary Wilson, then they were doing a pretty piss poor job of it! I say that because, they were asking US, the fans for recommendations!!!!!

On June 13, 1977, the Supremes became Scherrie Payne, Susaye Greene and a yet un-named third vocalist. What they should have done was find some girl to go on that South American tour with them as "The Supremes"!

I find it more than a little fishy when it is said that Motown was helping them find a new singer, or that Scherrie & Susaye did not have enough notice for the tour after the Farewell Show when Mary Wilson was able to not only put together a temporary group of "Supremes" for the South American tour, but once she returned to the States , was able to audition, select and rehearse both Karen Jackson and Kaaren Ragland for a tour of the U.K. She did all that while being pregnant! LOL!

They should have done that tour and the Supremes would have more than likely survived as a recording group for several more years at least! I'm just saying..............hehehehehehehehe!

Oh and don't think all of these machinations went unnoticed by Diane! LOL!

[marv2]

History once again rewrites itself!

Really? How so?

[luke]

Well said Marv. They shot themselves in foot. And didnt Motown threaten to sue Mary for fulfiling the contract?? She was dammed if she did and dammed if she didnt. If I was told Marvin Gaye producing me Id be shouting it from the rooftops. That silly Mary being excited about a good thing happening to her!!

[marv2]

Well said Marv. They shot themselves in foot. And didnt Motown threaten to sue Mary for fulfiling the contract?? She was dammed if she did and dammed if she didnt. If I was told Marvin Gaye producing me Id be shouting it from the rooftops. That silly Mary being excited about a good thing happening to her!!

They did shoot themselves in the foot whether they realized it or not. Motown threaten to sue her over the use of the name. Concert promoters, club owners threatened to sue if the "Supremes" were a no show and did not honor their contracts. The attitude about Mary being positivie about anything to do with her solo career [[including the news about Marvin producing) comes from folks that DO NOT care for Mary Wilson at all. I will give her this, she is NOT STUPID in the least..........

Marv

[thelastsupreme]

I love when folks say, "they should have"! Makes me chuckle. Now it's my turn to tell all what you should have done 30 plus years ago at YOUR work. But I won't. Cause we can't change jack, now, can we? All we can do is shake our heads at the audio mix. .................but we had fun, y'all. Regardless.
In retrospect, all of these live performances were never meant to be on some future website called youtube. They were what they were: live performances that were fun at the moment; that a heck of a lot of people in the audience enjoyed at the time, I might add. Peace, [[but can't get no love.)

[marv2]

I love when folks say, "they should have"! Makes me chuckle. Now it's my turn to tell all what you should have done 30 plus years ago at YOUR work. But I won't. Cause we can't change jack, now, can we? All we can do is shake our heads at the audio mix. .................but we had fun, y'all. Regardless.
In retrospect, all of these live performances were never meant to be on some future website called youtube. They were what they were: live performances that were fun at the moment; that a heck of a lot of people in the audience enjoyed at the time, I might add. Peace, [[but can't get no love.)

I ain't got nothing but LOVE for you! Now that we gotten that out of the way. I am only speaking for myself and yes, it's 30 years late so it is most wishful thinking. The "they should have" comments probably should read, "I wished they had..." done a certain thing, because it "feels" like there were forces that were not on the side of the Supremes at that time. Some folks were watching and willing and waiting to use anything they could against the group! Had nothing to do with you, Scherrie or Ms. Vivian reshaping the group. Someone wanted the group, gone......... [[in my opinion; speculation to the max here right now! LOL!).

[carlo]

In retrospect, all of these live performances were never meant to be on some future website called youtube. They were what they were: live performances that were fun at the moment; that a heck of a lot of people in the audience enjoyed at the time, I might add.

I have always enjoyed the unreleased recordings of the live performances you ladies gave.

[marv2]

I have always enjoyed the unreleased recordings of the live performances you ladies gave.

So have I. We use to get them originally from Carl & the fan club. Years later I'd get them from people I knew around the World.

[thelastsupreme]

Yes there were Supreme forces not on the side of the Supremes continuing. Neither Mary nor Diane wanted it. As for my mother, Viviane had nothing to do with the reshaping of the group. Some believe that, but just not true. I think it's pretty common knowledge that Joyce [[love Joyce; what a sweetie) was to become the third member. Scherrie suggested her. I have also heard that my husband had a lot to do with the direction of the group. Just not true. Hard to think strong women are able to decide for themselves.
In my humble opinion, Mary should have come back to Scherrie and I, and continued. All water under the bridge now.

[BayouMotownMan]

Yes I remember all of those rumors Susaye.

I think the Supremes time had come. Each lady brought a new look, sound and perspective to the group. But comparisons to the original group were always present and this hurt them. I have always maintained, and always will, that Mary, Scherrie and Susaye were the strongest of all Supremes groupings. Onstage the show material and their contemporary music was excellent, but the rushed medleys of the Ross songs were obligatory and just wasn't natural to Scherrie or Su, both of whom were high powered singers that this material didn't challenge. Hearing Susaye Greene sing Where Did Our Love Go was like hearing Pavoratti sing That's The Way uh uh uh huh I like it. LOL. Don't know how Miss Susaye feels about my opinion, but she and Scherrie's vocals transcended the Diana Ross material.

[carlo]

In my humble opinion, Mary should have come back to Scherrie and I, and continued.

I think it would have been great to see/hear The Supremes continue into the 80's.

[marv2]

Yes there were Supreme forces not on the side of the Supremes continuing. Neither Mary nor Diane wanted it. As for my mother, Viviane had nothing to do with the reshaping of the group. Some believe that, but just not true. I think it's pretty common knowledge that Joyce [[love Joyce; what a sweetie) was to become the third member. Scherrie suggested her. I have also heard that my husband had a lot to do with the direction of the group. Just not true. Hard to think strong women are able to decide for themselves.
In my humble opinion, Mary should have come back to Scherrie and I, and continued. All water under the bridge now.

You see Susaye....WE, [[all the way out in the hinderlands of Detroit, hehehehe) believed that you and Scherrie would continue with direction from Ms. Viviane [[you have to admit she had the goods, the experience, talent all of it....... to work in the group's favor). Are we speaking of Ed Browne? I didn't know he was getting involved, but he was a musician and professional so.......

I agree, Mary, Scherrie & Susaye broke up too soon! They were the only combination of Supremes that could have been successful beyond the disco era. Well at least we do agree that there were some REAL roadblocks that wanted the Supremes to cease and decist! [[sp?).

[thelastsupreme]

By the way, what fun that show would have been: "The Oops, We Didn't Mean It Tour". Kinda like when Bobby Ewing was in the shower for a year, if you know what I mean.
And truthfully, I understand folks wishing things had been different, in sooo many ways. I go through the 'what ifs' sometimes too. Just not about The Supremes. Peace.

[marv2]

By the way, what fun that show would have been: "The Oops, We Didn't Mean It Tour". Kinda like when Bobby Ewing was in the shower for a year, if you know what I mean.
And truthfully, I understand folks wishing things had been different, in sooo many ways. I go through the 'what ifs' sometimes too. Just not about The Supremes. Peace.

I would have shot myself if that had to happen that way! LOL! I just wanted, well want to see you, Mary, Scherrie reunite and sing "We Should Be Closer Together" all the best songs you 3 recorded, a few of the other 70's songs and maybe 3 songs from sixties [[to satisfy the old heads in the audience). Where is Ed Browne if you don't mind me asking?

[midnight johnny]

By the way, what fun that show would have been: "The Oops, We Didn't Mean It Tour". Kinda like when Bobby Ewing was in the shower for a year, if you know what I mean.
And truthfully, I understand folks wishing things had been different, in sooo many ways. I go through the 'what ifs' sometimes too. Just not about The Supremes. Peace.

Ahhhh....Susaye...not ONLY the LAST Supreme...but the one with the sense of humor [[*Smile)....

[Penny]

Miss Greene it is so wonderful that you are here posting on this board. Thank you for all the great music and yes I have even bought your two solo CDs that you released within the last few years.

What is so wonderful is that you share your memories of what happened all those years ago. It spares us the opinions of those who weren't any where close to you three ladies and yet speak with such authority.

30 years ago I worked at JC Penny selling lady's shoes. I can't even remember most of the names of those people I worked with let alone what we were all thinking.

Thank you again for the gift of your music. It has brought many of us so much joy.

If you need any AVON let me know.

Penny

[marv2]

Miss Greene it is so wonderful that you are here posting on this board. Thank you for all the great music and yes I have even bought your two solo CDs that you released within the last few years.

What is so wonderful is that you share your memories of what happened all those years ago. It spares us the opinions of those who weren't any where close to you three ladies and yet speak with such authority.

30 years ago I worked at JC Penny selling lady's shoes. I can't even remember most of the names of those people I worked with let alone what we were all thinking.

Thank you again for the gift of your music. It has brought many of us so much joy.

If you need any AVON let me know.

Penny

Now, how about you spare us your phony attempts at selliing Avon products on this music discussion board. You referred to me and another member of this forum as assholes this past week. I have not and will not forget that Penny! Trust and believe.......

[Penny]

If the shoe fits marv2.

Penny

[marv2]

If the shoe fits marv2.

Penny

We'll see.......

[Roberta75]

Thank you Ms. Susaye Greene for sharing your memories and truth with us. You were there Ms. Greene and I know you speak the truth. It must both baffle and amuse you the way a handful of fans post "information" as if they were actually on stage with you, in meetings with you and with you 24/7.

Yours, with every good wish.

Roberta

[Roberta75]

By the way, what fun that show would have been: "The Oops, We Didn't Mean It Tour". Kinda like when Bobby Ewing was in the shower for a year, if you know what I mean.
And truthfully, I understand folks wishing things had been different, in sooo many ways. I go through the 'what ifs' sometimes too. Just not about The Supremes. Peace.

LOL. Well said Miss Susaye Greene.

Fondly,

Roberta

[Roberta75]

I love when folks say, "they should have"! Makes me chuckle. Now it's my turn to tell all what you should have done 30 plus years ago at YOUR work. But I won't. Cause we can't change jack, now, can we? All we can do is shake our heads at the audio mix. .................but we had fun, y'all. Regardless.
In retrospect, all of these live performances were never meant to be on some future website called youtube. They were what they were: live performances that were fun at the moment; that a heck of a lot of people in the audience enjoyed at the time, I might add. Peace, [[but can't get no love.)

You have my love and admiration dear lady. May God continue to bless you.

My best personal regards,

Roberta

[marybrewster]

Ahhhh....Susaye...not ONLY the LAST Supreme...but the one with the sense of humor [[*Smile)....

And praise Jesus.

Finally a voice of reason. And truth.

Thank you Miss S.

[marv2]

Thank you Ms. Susaye Greene for sharing your memories and truth with us. You were there Ms. Greene and I know you speak the truth. It must both baffle and amuse you the way a handful of fans post "information" as if they were actually on stage with you, in meetings with you and with you 24/7.

Yours, with every good wish.

Roberta

Roberta, you shovel is full! It is also time to dump your wheel barrell........

[jobeterob]

Susaye - thank you for the rational, pleasant comments from someone who was there. That is so valuable and stops in their tracks the salacious, silly, dramatic suppositions.

We need you hear more often; you are part of the very best of what SD is about.

[Roberta75]

And praise Jesus.

Finally a voice of reason. And truth.

Thank you Miss S.

Miss Greene is telling the truth because she was there. I feel very privileged and real grateful that a former Supreme takes the time out of her busy schedule to share her memories and history with us.

Warmest regards,

Roberta