Dreamgirl and Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme

by Mary Wilson

More than 40 years ago, three girls from the Detroit projects made the world 'Stop!' and take notice of their fresh harmonies and classy style. Cultivated by the Motown star machine, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Florence Ballard popped onto the charts with hits like "Baby Love" and "Where Did Our Love Go" and made the Supremes not only a household name, but rock and roll legends. The story of their journey to fame is one that fairy tales are made of―complete with battles, tragedies, and triumphs. It's a story that only one of the founders of this talented trio is able or willing to share with the world.
In Dreamgirls & Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme , Supremes' co-founder Mary Wilson boldly brings to life all the intimate details of the group's struggle to top the charts. This is the first book to tell the complete story of Mary's courageous life from childhood through the height of the Supremes, to the turn of the century. This beautiful paperback edition combines the best-selling Dreamgirls with the sequel, Supreme Faith: Someday We'll Be Together, for the first time in one volume. The new afterword brings Mary's intriguing story up to date with details on. . .
· The tragic car accident that claimed her son's life
· The death of her mother, Johnnie Mae, and her dear friend, Mary Wells
· Becoming a grandmother
· Making her peace with Berry Gordy and Diana Ross
· Being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Supremes wonderful music isn't the only thing to remain in the public's mind. Diana Ross' push for dominance in the trio has become legendary. Mary Wilson speaks candidly about Ross' tactics to latch onto Berry Gordy, and force her will on the group's activities. For example, while on the early tours, Diana would threaten to call Gordy from the road if the men on the bus didn't behave to her approval. She also openly pushed for Flo's removal from the group. Wilson also openly shares her thoughts on . . .The group's never-ending b

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography, Biography Memoir, African American

750 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1986

About the author

Mary Wilson was best known as a founding member and longest member of the Supremes. Wilson remained with the group following the departures of other original members, Florence Ballard and Diana Ross. Following Wilson's own departure in 1977, the group disbanded. Wilson has since released three solo albums, five singles and two best-selling autobiographies, Dreamgirl: My Life As a Supreme, a record setter for sales in its genre, and Supreme Faith: Someday We'll Be Together; both books later were released as an updated combination

Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dreamgirl: My Life As A Supreme is the autobiography of original Supremes member Mary Wilson. I'm just gonna lay my bias out in front of you.

I think "The Motown Sound" is overrated. Obviously some of the artist on Motown were truly talented(Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5ive, and Smoky Robinson) most of the Motown songs sound alike. I realize that Berry Gordy wanted to make music that white people would like and buy but I think the music just turned out meh.

This is just my opinion, I realize that back in the 60's Motown was considered cutting edge and since I wasn't even alive during Motown's heyday I probably just don't understand or fully appreciate it.

Now on to the actual review!

Mary Wilson seems like a lovely person. She the kind of aunt who always remembers your birthday, who everyone brings their problems to, and who knows everyone's secrets but won't tell them. She's lovely!

But she's not the best type of person to write an autobiography. Mary Wilson doesn't want to hurt anybody's feelings. Its obvious that she HATES Diana Ross' guts but she never says that. She beats around the bush, she tells us catty and petty things Diana Ross did but then she follows that with a compliment.

JUST FUCKING CALL DIANA ROSS A BITCH!

I love Diana Ross but if I had been a Supreme, I would have punched the bitch in the face. But Mary Wilson isn't that type of person, so she just took it and stuffed her feelings down inside. As I read this book I kept screaming at her to defend herself but she never did.

Reading this book made me feel sad because the break up of the original Supremes wasn't just the break up of a group it was the end of friendships. The original Supremes demise mirrored the demise of another girl group decades later Destiny's Child. Instead of Berry Gordy picking Diana Ross(his girlfriend) over the other members Matthew Knowles picked his daughter Beyonce(my lord & savior). In both cases childhood friends were torn apart by fame, jealously and greed.

I like Mary Wilson and I think she's a survivor. She may not have handled things the way I would be she did the best she could to try and keep the group she loved together. So while I didn't get the juicy gossip I love to read on these books. I still got a great look at what it was like at the beginning of the legendary music label Motown. The Supremes are the true definition of rags 2 riches.

I recommend Dreamgirl to lovers of classic R&B music.

[KOMET · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I had been aware of Mary Wilson's memoir, "DREAMGIRL: My Life as a Supreme" from the moment it became a best-seller in the mid-1980s, it was only a few days ago that I set myself to reading it. The music of The Supremes is something deeply personal to me because I had grown up in Motown and their music figures prominently in my childhood memories from the late 1960s, listening to their records on the family Show & Tell mini-stereo.

Mary Wilson speaks with both clarity, candor, and grace about her life - from her birth in Mississippi, to her 'adoption' by an uncle and aunt with whom she lived in Detroit for many years before her mother was financially able to move to Detroit with her younger siblings and resume directly caring for her. Wilson also shares with the reader how she first met and became close friends with Florence Ballard ('Flo') and Diane Ross in the late 1950s when the three were in high school. Their love of singing led to them forming a girls' singing group, The Primettes, Wilson at some length relates the experiences they had as budding performers in Detroit.

By January 1961, the 3 young ladies had signed with Motown (actually their mothers signed their first contracts because Mary, Flo, and Diane were still minors). At the urging of Berry Gordy, the boss and founder of Motown Records, they changed their name from The Primettes (which Gordy considered as out of step with the new decade and not in keeping with the vision he was beginning to develop for the group) to The Supremes. The name 'The Supremes' was Flo's idea. Diane Ross didn't like that. But Mary was fine with it - and thus, The Supremes were born.

Wilson speaks a lot about what their struggles in the early days were like. For example, playing what was then called "the chitlin circuit", which were concert tours many African American singers, bands, and singing groups made in the segregated South. Reading those passages about some of the harrowing experiences The Supremes and many of the Motown acts who performed in those venues in the South had was chilling. I couldn't help but admire their guts.

For 3 years, The Supremes struggled, failing to produce a hit. As a result, they became known at Motown as the "no hit Supremes." But then, near the end of a concert tour The Supremes were on during the summer of 1964, they received word that their song "Where Did Our Love Go?" had hit Number 1! They soon returned to Detroit - and at that point, the memoir takes off like a rocket, showing the dizzying run of successes the 3 women would have as The Supremes went on by 1967 to have five consecutive Number 1 hits and become the world's most successful girl singing group ever.

Unfortunately, there would come a high cost to this success as Diane (now 'Diana Ross') was being promoted by Gordy and Motown as the 'leader' of The Supremes. Tensions would develop among Flo, Mary, Diana Ross, and Berry Gordy, which ultimately led to Florence Ballard being let go by Motown in the summer of 1967, never to return. Flo's subsequent tale proved to be a tragic one, not all of her own making. There was much of what Mary Wilson said in her memoir about the behavior of Berry Gordy and Diana Ross in relation to Flo, herself, and The Supremes which shows both Gordy and Ross as 2 calculating, scheming, and fiercely ambitious people who weren't at all adverse to hurting and shortchanging people, and destroying relationships and careers. (Suffice it to say, I don't much care for Diana Ross.)

Mary Wilson also shares with the reader aspects of her personal life during her time with The Supremes, which some may find intriguing, as well as surprising. For instance, the hotly passionate and romantic relationship she had for several years with Tom Jones.

The memoir ends at the funeral service in Detroit for Florence Ballard in February 1976. (I remember the news story behind that service very well. I was a preteen then and watched it on local TV.) Even after Flo had left The Supremes and through her later struggles with her marriage, trying to resume a music career, raising her 3 daughters, and falling into poverty, she and Mary remained very close friends.

For anyone who loves "the Motown Sound" and the various musicians and singers who made Motown what it became to the world during the 1960s, "DREAMGIRL: My Life as a Supreme" is the book to read. IT IS WORTH IT.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was much better written than I thought it would be. An old gay friend of mine used to talk about this book a lot and I understand why. Scenes are described in such an evocative way that they leave an indelible mark on one's memory -- their high school years, Diana's fights with the other Motown women on the road, and the pain of having to fire Florence. A lot of thought is put into why Florence foundered as the group became famous, with Mary pinpointing the deciding moment as Florence's acquaintance rape before the group became successful. There were a few times I became quite teary when reading about Flo. I also have diagnosed Diana as having Borderline Personality Disorder. Mary never says it herself, but the criteria are all there: attaching herself to a strong Narcissistic Personality (Berry Gordy), the way she might sabotage others to get more attention, the constant chaos she would bring into situations where everyone should be friendly, her jealousy, her conflict with women who presented the slightest competition, her mood swings, and her perceived victimhood. Mary brushes it all off as 'Diane just being Diane.' The book ends on the best cliffhanger ever: the morning after Diana's farewell appearance (where Jean Terrell was introduced as her replacement), Mary stands up to Berry Gordy which sets into motion the eventual downfall of the group.

[Michael Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

As selfish as Diana Ross was/is, Mary comes off as quite the diva herself, and seems to accuse Diana of some of the very types of things she did herself. But it is an emotional journey, though her sanctimonious plea that she will avenge Flo Ballard's loss of stature in the Supremes, a little oft putting since she barely kept in touch with Florence either. But the history of Motown is chronicled through the eyes of a rising star, and the accounts are quite interesting.

[NON · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I guess it goes to show that business, money, and power can make people do strange things.” -Mary Wilson

This is one of the most satisfying autobiographies ever. Mary Wilson is an amazing story-teller; she spares nothing and she knows how to keep you hooked throughout the massive two-volume book. My Life as a Supreme is explosive and revelatory in the best sense of the words. She divulges all that she has witnessed through her long years in show business about the exploitative dynamic of record companies (namely Motown), and all that she got to tell on her experience with Diana Ross, Flo and the other different members of the Supremes. Mary's personal life taught me a lot of lessons that I'm thankful to her for being courageous enough to share publicly.

It's a one-sided account of what happened – we can only hope Ms. Ross publish her side of the story eventually– and although I don't agree with many of Ms. Wilson's actions and views, I thoroughly loved her sense of herself and how she doesn't hesitate to stand by all that has happened, take responsibility, and admit her strengths as well as her shortcomings.

All in all, this two-volume autobiography is perfect; filled with valuable information, lessons, anecdotes, and all the elements that a decent autobiography need.

[Jamie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once you read this book you will have a COMPLETELY different perspective of Diana Ross. She truly was a diva in her day--and I don't mean that in a good way. The real tragedy of this story is how Florence Ballard was treated in the group and even after her death (at her own funeral). It's an amazing read that is very insightful about the Motown era and the lives of The Supremes.

[I.J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memoirs are always interesting reads because the authors are so preoccupied with constructing specific images of themselves that they miss all the narrative holes and distortions that showcase all their flaws.

Dreamgirl is an entertaining read, and Mary Wilson was not quite as self aware as she imagined she was at the time of its publication

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a Christmas present way back in 1987 or so and avoided reading it. Probably because I knew it would change my feelings about Diana Ross. I was right. If I read between the lines correctly, she held back. She could have or should have seriously trashed Berry Gordon and Diane Ross.

I didn’t realize the girls started in grammar school and stayed together so tightly for so long believing in their dream. Florence Ballard was originally thought to be THE voice, only to be sacrificed to Berry’s belief that Diane had the more commercial voice. Flo also had the terrible of fate of being “date” raped at young age.

Once Diane sniffed fame in the air, she set her sights higher and higher. Dating and keeping the boss on a string she got her way and trampled all in her wake. Surprising everyone with a name change to Diana..she was something else! Why Mary put up with the indignities and put downs is beyond me. Flo tried to fight back, but not having any real business savvy people around to advice, didn’t help. Flo’s tragic decline was slow.

There were some surprises and lots of Motown early artist info. All in all, it was a Cinderella with a very sad ending.

[Kath · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although some of the information about the history of Motown was interesting this was written by someone with a very good opinion of themselves and plenty of bitterness towards others, although often couched in a pseudo affectionate way. The lifestyle is not one I envy at all, particularly her perceived romantic account of an affair with the married Tom Jones.

[Gary Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Packed with inside information. A true chronicle of the Supremes. If you are remotely interested in the Supremes, Motown, Detroit and the music of those times, buy this book. These ladies were big stars and were a big part of the music scene as I was growing up. Thank you Mary Wilson for a nicely written book. I am blessed to have an autographed copy! DREAMGIRL indeed

[John Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply supreme

Great read by the late Mary Wilson , couldn't put it down ,highly recommended for any Motown fan ,a true insight into the Motown story , told by the supreme lady herself ,r.i.p Mary 💕

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look at the music business and specifically the way Motown operated in its heyday. Diana Ross was a bitch -- who would have guessed?

[Barbara Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over the summer. I enjoyed this book because it gives alot of insight as to what went on during her career as a Supreme,again great music history!

[Omar Golding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. That's all I can say.

[Sobo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It's one of my favorite celebrity memoirs. Rest in peace Mary Wilson.

[Nathan Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was extremely surprised by how much I liked this memoir (in fact, more than I liked Al Green’s or Chuck Berry’s) — just covering the ’60s mostly, with an interlude about Flo Ballard’s funeral — by one of the three original Supremes, as she chronicles the way a childhood dream was both validated and destroyed by fame. As far as I can tell Wilson wrote the book herself (someone online mentions a ghostwriter but I can’t find any truthful allusion to that) and she’s very skilled and vivid at presenting a multifaceted portrait of working at Motown at its peak, which she sells as pretty miserable without sort of wallowing in it — in fact she’s quite gracious, despite the book’s reputation as “Diana Dearest.” Diana Ross and Berry Gordy do indeed come off rather poorly, but is that a surprise? As someone who deeply loves the Supremes’ music I greatly appreciated an “insider” exploration of their peak years with Holland-Dozier-Holland that’s rendered with such detail and intelligence. It also really underlines what a tragedy Flo’s life was, as she always seems on the precipice of “coming back.” And finally, it’s a nice reminder of what an overwhelming command over the culture the Supremes had in their heyday; I never knew what a massive event their “farewell” (or rather, Ross’ departure) was. Given that the Supremes are often accused of courting a pop rather than an R&B audience — which is fair, though with how magnificent they were at pop, it’s hard to object — it’s also fascinating to learn how steeped they were in the Detroit scene, and how intricate their connections were with the likes of the Franklins and the Four Tops.

[Robert Monk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do like me some music biographies, and this is a pretty decent one. Mary Wilson, of the Supremes, talks about what it was like being in a group with Diana Ross, and it's not a pretty picture. She sounds like a bit of a horror show. We also get to learn how awkward it was not fitting the stereotype of a black singer in the sixties. The Supremes apparently weren't street rats who were shaped by the Motown machine into sophisticated glamour queens: they were that way already. She tells a story about how the Beatles were disappointed by how "square" they were, and how annoying it was to admonished by the press for not being more like Aretha Franklin (when, in fact, there was only one Aretha Franklin). An entertaining read, not particularly deep but fun.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

The version of this book I read includes Mary Wilson's second book, Supreme Faith. As one reads it, it becomes more and more obvious that the biggest obstacle facing Ms. Wilson was Ms. Wilson herself. She simply did not know how to move on. Occasionally there are moments when she sees this, where she even credits the two biggest sources of her frustration, Berry Gordy and Diana Ross (who she stubbornly never refers to by any name but Diane) for opening her eyes to her own self-defeating habits, but it's barely a moment before she's spinning her wheels and going nowhere if not backward again. The cautionary tale she is conscious of telling is no more valid than the one she unintentionally reveals and her books, particularly Supreme Faith, grow tiresome. I found myself sympathizing with many of those who moved on from her.

[Jesse Flood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Wilson's book was a great autobiography of her time with The Supremes. You read about the girls time before and during Motown. How The Supremes were 'the girls' as Barry Gordy would call them, until another one of his girl groups was hot. How Florence Henderson was ousted when she stole Diana's spotlight and the sad ways she spent Christmas; looking at a house that used to be hers. Mary also talks about her time with Tom Jones. A good book.

[DIVAAARGH! · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my true introduction to the world of The Supremes. I knew the music from the oldies station as a child in the '80s, and discovered this book as a teen in the early "90s. A genuine, candid, heartfelt story of a woman who experienced the very heights of mega-stardom, yet lived through some shocking lows (see her 2nd book, "Supreme Faith" (1990) which details everything she survived in the seventies and eighties. Both books are *must read* material for all fans of The Supremes!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Mary did an excellent job with her book. It goes in to great detail about what life was like being apart of the Supremes and Motown family. It's two books in one, providing details of how the original Supremes got started and the other sets of Supremes with Mary as the only remaining original member. She also details her personal struggles. If you are an early Motown fan and a Supremes fan you will definitely love it.

[Audi Martel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Wilson’s memoir Dreamgirl is an entertaining and easy read—though I wish there were more self-deprecating, raw truth in the writer’s voice while reflecting on their rise with Motown. It’s hard to believe The Supremes were so square. Not so hard to believe that Diana was an ambitious self-centered diva.

[Chy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts of this book were really hard to read. What happened to Flo and the way she was treated were so heartbreaking. Berry Gordy though talented came off as a gross, cheap, creep. Diana Ross is a horrible, awful, selfish diva who should be ashamed at the way she constantly acted like a spoiled child.

[Jemia · Rating 5 out of 5]

diana what? or shall i say diane. the only reason i found out about this book is because i read diana’s book and she referenced this book when responding to an allegation. so i was like welp, i gotta go read this book because this is how gossip was spread back in these days, you write a book about it. i also bought this book off amazon used for like $3

[Larisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dreamgirl is the "Cinderella tale of 3 girls from the Brewsyer Projects of Detroit, who built a musical legacy. The glamour of success, Motown Records, the dark side of glamour, Florence Ballard's lonely death, and Mary Wilson's side about the trio."

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always loved the original Supremes, and I disliked when they changed the name to Diana Ross and the Supremes. Thereby hangs a tale, eh?
This book made me sad. I never admired Diana Ross again. .
I still love those songs

[Philip Tidman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autobiography of Supreme Mary Wilson, which doubles up as a biography of Motown Records. Well written, entertaining and informative. Pretty much every black singer and musician from the late fifties to the early seventies is name-checked.

[Cheryl A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at least 30 years ago and I recall it being good to me at that time in life, but I was 30 or more years younger with little life experience. I'd love to re-read this with middle aged woman eyes.

[Leigh McF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting story and incredible perspective. Really liked hearing how she was just casually growing up next to all these future superstars. It was also really cool to hear her perspective because at the time Motown was not what we know it today. I highly recommend this - very engaging and entertaining.

[M R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whew, the tea! This book (Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme) had been on my list for some time as I wanted to know more about Motown and the comparisons between Dreamgirls (the movie) and The Supremes. I can see the similarities and it's striking, it makes me want to watch Dreamgirls again just to compare/contrast between fiction and real life. It is interesting reading a memoir from 1/3 of a major group although I'm always torn by the thought that this is just one person's take and surely there are other truths out there. At any rate, it's obvious from this book that Diana Ross is one of the original divas and has been one for so long. Initially, I thought that the book was quite partial to Mary and Flo with Diana Ross as the obvious "villain", but it was a bit more even-keeled than that. Mary shared some of everyone's secrets so I guess that's just the way it was. I was also really interested in learning more about how Motown came to be and the book introduces a lot of the players and artists from the early days of Hitsville, which honestly sounds like a dream. Obviously, I know that Motown (along with countless other companies) swindled artists with terrible deals that left many talented people (like original Supreme Florence Ballard) destitute and in a bad place mentally, but the magic of those early days at Hitsville come through and I wish I was there. There is always something so appealing to me about being around a group of talented individuals who are working and building toward something greater - I love the idea of being on the ground floor of something major. Do you know that the place you're in is special while you're there? Or the people you're around? Reading the encounters with the soft-spoken preacher's son, Marvin Gaye, made me want to know more about how he became the sexual, sensual crooner so many of us know him as today. Reading about the long affair that Diana Ross carried on with Berry Gordy was also interesting and explains much about her place in the world today. Getting a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of the early girl groups and music industry was enlightening and made me realize that none of what propelled people forward in those days is even remotely possible now. I can't imagine Beyonce or some other high-profile singer/group performing in equal measure at top-rate clubs and also doing state fairs or riding on a bus for months at a time with other equally famous or rising stars (ala the Dick Clark tour). However, I did like Mary as I read about her life and affairs with people like Tom Jones (who knew?!). It's always interesting to me when people write about affairs they've had with people because that seems so bold, especially when they're still alive and/or married to that person (and even if they're not - who wants to read about an affair their spouse had?) Motown/Hitsville was, among many things, a magical place run by a man with a firm grasp on what he wanted and how he wanted it to be done, for better or worse. The life of the Supremes was a delight to take a look inside of and ponder how we become who we are. I wish I could read the memoir/(auto)biographies of all of the Supremes (and those close to them) to get a more well-rounded view since there was clearly some bias in place.