Originally Posted by
RanRan79
One can be both an entertainer and be annoyed by business shenanigans at the same time. Flo's life is much more documented than Jean's, so I'll focus mostly on Flo because we have the most reference. If you read the accounts of Flo prior to her troubles, there's nothing there to suggest that Flo didn't love the stage and the act of entertaining. Flo was as much into this thing as the other two until things got screwy toward the middle of 1966. And remember, this wasn't a situation where Flo woke up one morning and decided "enough with this shit". There were definitely extenuating circumstances. The music business is the music business, but not everyone in the business ran their business the same. Somewhere else, under someone else's hand, the Supremes may have never had the deep issues they eventually ended up with. Gordy's way was not the be all end all of the business, it was just one man's way. A lot of Flo's bite was directed at Berry. He was not the easiest man to work for. I think we've all had the experience of working for different kinds of people who's approach is different from one another, and thus elicits a different work vibe. I know I've definitely had some bosses who weren't the nicest and it didn't cause me to be the most productive, vs bosses who were encouraging and supportive, and it showed in what I brought as a result. The former diminished my progress, it did not kill my love for what I do. I imagine Flo may have felt the same.
Back then I don't believe anybody got into the music business for the business side of things, aside from the folks aspiring to exec levels or label owners. Sure, everyone wanted to be rich, but as you point out there's much more to it than simply singing. Some people get involved and find that they just can't stomach it, whatever the reason. Others end up having a horrible experience. And still some manage to swallow the bullshit and do whatever to get to where they think they wanna go. Diana was in that last category. She was willing to do whatever until she felt she was in a place where she didn't have to do whatever anymore. Flo had a horrible experience, even though she accomplished what most folks who get into the business never accomplish. That has to take a toll. But I don't think it should ever be interpreted as not wanting to entertain. There's really no evidence of that where Flo is concerned.
I suspect Jean also loved entertaining. Gordy didn't find her because she was mopping floors around Motown Corp and singing at the same time. She was already a performer, and I assume she was doing it because she wanted to do it. Like I said before, Jean's life isn't as documented as Flo's so there isn't a lot to go on. She's still alive and it would be great if Jean offered up some real honest info about her career. After the Supremes, and Prior to the FLOS, Jean attempted go's in the industry at least three or four times. What compelled her to do it is anyone's guess. What interrupted the opportunities is also anyone's guess. We'll really never know the truth until Jean opens up.
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