Originally Posted by
RanRan79
The failed Supremes reunion will always be a huge shadow over what should have otherwise been a truly historic night. But honestly, I don't think it was the worst tragedy of the show, just one of many.
1)Eddie and David weren't invited is a huge stain. Not only were they integral members of the Tempts, one of the label's biggest acts, their lead vocals were on some of the label's most iconic hits.
2)The Marvelettes not being invited to perform was idiotic. They were responsible for giving Motown their first number one hit. How do you not honor that?
3)The Vandellas not being invited is also weird. I get that Martha was the indisputable focal point of that trio, but the entire time Martha was at Motown, she was part of the ensemble known as Martha [[and later Reeves) and the Vandellas. Annette, Roz and Betty should have been on that stage helping Martha sing the hits.
4)Martha, Mary and Junior Walker being reduced to a snippet of a song is insane. Single for single, only the Supremes and, arguably, the Shirelles had more hit singles of any female group in the 60s. Mary Wells was the priority act for the label for those first few years, and she made good on her potential. How do they not get a medley of songs each? While I dig Junior, I would be okay with him only doing one song, but it should have been the entire song, not a snippet.
5)The Funk Brothers basically ignored was disrespectful, perhaps most of all. Why is James Jamerson, integral to the adored Motown Sound, having to buy a ticket to the show? Why weren't the Funks reunited? Disrespectful as hell.
So for all the gripes we may have about our beloved Supremes reuniting and screwing it up, there were some bigger travesties that evening, which Motown never seemed to attempt to rectify with most subsequent celebrations.
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