You Can't Hurry Success

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From the MUSIC section: YOU CAN’T HURRY SUCCESS

By Drew Crosby

…And You Can’t Hurry Love either. This song became The Supremes’ 8th Number 1 hit single in the USA during the week of September 10, 1966.

The Supremes were one of the most commercially successful groups in the history of pop music. Only The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson and Madonna have had more Number 1 hits in the USA.

But success didn’t come easy for The Supremes.



And Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, was patient.

Despite flop after flop (fracaso tras fracaso), Gordy stuck with them (permaneció con ellas). In fact, by the time The Supremes' first single was released in 1961 -a song called I Want a Guy- he still hadn’t offered them a recording contract.

And then finally, success!

Berry Gordy’s patience paid off when the trio had their first Top 40 hit in late 1963, called When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes.

But success took its toll (pasó factura) on two of the three members of the group.

Dianna Ross became the star of the group, and Florence Ballard -who many say had a better voice than Dianna Ross- and Mary Wilson, began to play second fiddle (pasar a un segundo plano). By 1970 Dianna Ross had begun a triumphant solo career.

But the 70’s weren’t so kind to the other two Supremes.

Florence Ballard died penniless (sin dinero) in 1976, and by the end of the decade, Mary Wilson was battling Motown over rights to the name The Supremes.