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The Lost Supreme: The Life of Dreamgirl Florence Ballard
In the months before she died, Florence Ballard, the spunky teenager who founded the most successful female vocal group in history—the Supremes—told her own side of the story. Recorded on tape, Flo shed light on all areas of her life, including the surprising identity of the man by whom she was raped prior to her entering the music business, the details of her love-hate relationship with Motown Records czar Berry Gordy, her drinking problem and pleas for help, a never-ending desire to be the Supremes’ lead singer, and her attempts to get her life back on track after being brutally expelled from the group. This is a tumultuous and heartbreaking story of a world-famous performer whose life ended at the age of 32 as a lonely mother of three who had only recently recovered from years of poverty and despair.
248 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2008
74 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Peter Benjaminson
16 books8 followersBorn in Washington, D.C., Peter was a reporter and City-County Bureau Chief for the Detroit Free Press from 1970-76.
While at the Free Press, he wrote the book "Investigative Reporting," with Dave Anderson (Indiana University Press, 1976 and Iowa State University Press, 1990), the first how-to book in that field. It was in print for 20 years.
In 1979 he wrote "The Story of Motown," and from 1979 to 1981 he was a reporter for the Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He taught journalism at Binghamton University, New York University, and Columbia University from 1981-91.
In 1984, he wrote "Death in the Afternoon: America's Newspaper Giants Struggle for Survival" (Andrews, McMeel), the first and only book about the death of afternoon newspapers in America's big cities.
In 1992, he wrote "Publish Without Perishing" (National Education Association and National Writers Union); and in 1997, he wrote "Secret Police" (New York: Barricade Books).
From 1991-1994 he was the spokesman for the NYC Department of Investigation. He was Assistant Editor of the Chief Leader Newspaper in New York City from 1994-1998 and the spokesman for the NYC Correction Officers Benevolent Association from 1998-2003. In 2003 and 2009 he was the spokesman for Members for Change in NYC Teamsters Local 237.
While at the Free Press, he wrote the book "Investigative Reporting," with Dave Anderson (Indiana University Press, 1976 and Iowa State University Press, 1990), the first how-to book in that field. It was in print for 20 years.
In 1979 he wrote "The Story of Motown," and from 1979 to 1981 he was a reporter for the Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He taught journalism at Binghamton University, New York University, and Columbia University from 1981-91.
In 1984, he wrote "Death in the Afternoon: America's Newspaper Giants Struggle for Survival" (Andrews, McMeel), the first and only book about the death of afternoon newspapers in America's big cities.
In 1992, he wrote "Publish Without Perishing" (National Education Association and National Writers Union); and in 1997, he wrote "Secret Police" (New York: Barricade Books).
From 1991-1994 he was the spokesman for the NYC Department of Investigation. He was Assistant Editor of the Chief Leader Newspaper in New York City from 1994-1998 and the spokesman for the NYC Correction Officers Benevolent Association from 1998-2003. In 2003 and 2009 he was the spokesman for Members for Change in NYC Teamsters Local 237.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 22, 2020
Peter Benjaminson was a 29-year old journalist with the Detroit Free Press in 1975 when he was asked if he wanted to do a story on the ex-Supreme Florence Ballard (in light of the public disclosure that was made earlier that year, revealing that Ballard, a mother with 3 young daughters, was on welfare). It had come as a shock to the public (both in the U.S. and across the world) that someone who had been a founding member of the most successful girl singing group in the 1960s was living in poverty in Detroit. Benjaminson eagerly undertook this assignment and went to Ballard's house to interview her. He would go on, over a period of several weeks, to conduct a series of taped interviews with Ballard. These interviews help to vivify and enliven this biography considerably, giving the reader full, rich and often poignant views and perspectives on Florence Ballard's life. A life that emerged from poverty in Detroit during the 1940s and 1950s to dizzying fame and success with Motown (with the Supremes), and then, following Ballard's abrupt dismissal from the Supremes in July 1967, attempts at a solo music career, declining fortunes, depression, and death in February 1976.
Reading this biography was a deeply personal experience for me. I grew up in Michigan and was steeped in Motown's music from the late 1960s onward. I was a preteen when Florence Ballard died and I remember very well the news coverage of her funeral. For anyone interested in knowing more about what the Supremes were and what they meant to the world, read this biography. I highly recommend it.
Reading this biography was a deeply personal experience for me. I grew up in Michigan and was steeped in Motown's music from the late 1960s onward. I was a preteen when Florence Ballard died and I remember very well the news coverage of her funeral. For anyone interested in knowing more about what the Supremes were and what they meant to the world, read this biography. I highly recommend it.
June 13, 2015
The Lost Supreme-: The Life of Dreamgirl Florence Ballard by Peter Benjaminson is a 2008 Chicago Review Press publication.
I found this book while checking out the new Hoopla service provided by my library. I knew little or nothing about this artist so I decided to check it out.
The bulk of the book came from several taped interviews the author did shortly before Ms. Ballard's death. The tapes were transcribed for publication but it wasn't until the movie “Dreamgirls” that the interest was high enough to garner attention for the book.
For the most part the focus is on Florence's career as a Supreme and her subsequent fall from grace that left her in financial straights with very little recourse.
This book is Florence's take on things and the author doesn't water anything down or sugarcoat her feelings or attitude. This is not to say her version of events is the whole story or that others may have a different point of view on the matter, which I am sure they do. But, I think she probably had the real gist of things and her story felt real, down to earth and quite believable.
One must keep in mind that this book was constructed from interview tapes and then fleshed out from there to give us an up close and personal view of Florence's short life. At times the writing gets a little choppy, and it's not written or organized in the typical biographical manner.
The main thing that stands out about this book is how strong Florence's voice is throughout. Lots of passages are told in a first person accounting of her experiences with The Supremes and Motown. There were funny stories about being on the Ed Sullivan show and her encounter with the Beatles that ended up being more awkward than anything else. These stories told in her own words are haunting and poignant as it also chronicles the height of success she reached, which is in stark contrast to her life at the time these interviews were recorded.
The story of Florence's life is not a happy or uplifting one, in fact it's really sad. But, I do recommend reading this book, since I have never found much material on this fabulous and original member of The Supremes and it not only gives insight into her life, but also into the music business and the inner workings of Motown.
I did have some issues with the formatting and Hoopla has assured me they are working on that, so if you come across this book and enjoy performance art, biographies, music, or are a big fan of The Supremes, you might want to give it a look.
3 stars
I found this book while checking out the new Hoopla service provided by my library. I knew little or nothing about this artist so I decided to check it out.
The bulk of the book came from several taped interviews the author did shortly before Ms. Ballard's death. The tapes were transcribed for publication but it wasn't until the movie “Dreamgirls” that the interest was high enough to garner attention for the book.
For the most part the focus is on Florence's career as a Supreme and her subsequent fall from grace that left her in financial straights with very little recourse.
This book is Florence's take on things and the author doesn't water anything down or sugarcoat her feelings or attitude. This is not to say her version of events is the whole story or that others may have a different point of view on the matter, which I am sure they do. But, I think she probably had the real gist of things and her story felt real, down to earth and quite believable.
One must keep in mind that this book was constructed from interview tapes and then fleshed out from there to give us an up close and personal view of Florence's short life. At times the writing gets a little choppy, and it's not written or organized in the typical biographical manner.
The main thing that stands out about this book is how strong Florence's voice is throughout. Lots of passages are told in a first person accounting of her experiences with The Supremes and Motown. There were funny stories about being on the Ed Sullivan show and her encounter with the Beatles that ended up being more awkward than anything else. These stories told in her own words are haunting and poignant as it also chronicles the height of success she reached, which is in stark contrast to her life at the time these interviews were recorded.
The story of Florence's life is not a happy or uplifting one, in fact it's really sad. But, I do recommend reading this book, since I have never found much material on this fabulous and original member of The Supremes and it not only gives insight into her life, but also into the music business and the inner workings of Motown.
I did have some issues with the formatting and Hoopla has assured me they are working on that, so if you come across this book and enjoy performance art, biographies, music, or are a big fan of The Supremes, you might want to give it a look.
3 stars
June 23, 2015
I did like this biography but it was so short that I felt like there wasn't enough. Florence Ballard got the short end of the stick all through life and her biography continued that. I mean it wasn't even 200 pages. The author spoke with him personally so how was there not more information? He even quoted other biographies. I felt like this was like a lazy kid giving a book report and they just piggybacked on what others said about a book. He quoted Otis William's book about The Temptations and also quoted Mary Wilson's, Berry Gordy's and Diana Ross's autobiographies. I could see some of the quotes as useful to this story but overall the author should have done more research. Especially since I felt like a lot of the book was about Motown. Yea Motown was a big part of Florence's life and it was great details to know since I love Motown but at the same time this was her biography so it should be about her.
At times I felt like I sympathized with her b/c she ended up with such a hard life and died so young but at other times I was like she could have changed her fate. She could have changed things but she didn't.
Overall I'm interested in reading more biographies from artists at Motown and also about Berry Gordy but I felt like this biography fell a little short.
At times I felt like I sympathized with her b/c she ended up with such a hard life and died so young but at other times I was like she could have changed her fate. She could have changed things but she didn't.
Overall I'm interested in reading more biographies from artists at Motown and also about Berry Gordy but I felt like this biography fell a little short.
December 10, 2023
As a committed Supremes fan, naturally this book would end up on my TBR, and eventually as a birthday present from my Flo-favoring best friend Christina. And disappoint it did not. This book proved to be an invaluable source of the countless stories I have heard from older Supremes fans of Flo and the legendary group she founded and named - the diverging paths the original Supremes took from poverty to fame, and eventually in Flo’s case, back to poverty and even on welfare with her 3 daughters; “Diana” Ross’s bratty, overbearing antics to cement her status as the group’s lead; Berry Gordy’s ruthless vitriol towards the group’s two co-stars, Mary and Flo, and his desire to suppress the outspoken and talented Florence Ballard; and so, so, much more, even beyond what I had already heard second hand of. I laughed at many of Flo’s one-liners she had for Diane and others, and cried, particularly at one of the last things she ever said while nearing her deathbed: “Take care of my baby.” Even when she had nothing left of all that she had painstakingly built with her two peers in years prior, she still took pride in her motherhood. Flo was an honorable, talented, beautiful woman whether at her lowest or her highest. As the lead-in-spirit of the Supremes, she was an alluring muse to countless boys and girls who either lusted after her voluptuous image or found confidence in her femininity; as a regular person, she was captivating in her authenticity and her need to tell it like it is. Even though Florence died when my parents were still preteens, something that will always pain me is how she was treated in this world, and how such a talented, comedic, beautiful soul could be robbed of a path to the utmost success imaginable to anyone. The world will never be the same without you, Flo; don’t let anyone trick your legacy into being nothing more than an extension of someone else’s shadow. I won’t let them forget about you, Blondie.
Love,
JV
Love,
JV
July 7, 2012
Oddly enough, I started reading this on what would have been Florence Ballard's 69th Birthday. But like many artists before her and after her, she died too young. Florence had the talent and beauty. This book tells the struggle of the rise and fall of being famous. But in my eyes she never fell, she will always be the true Supreme. God Bless her Soul.
May 8, 2017
This book was very interesting. I appreciated hearing the story from a side that you don't typically get in most Supreme's autobiographies. I did however walk away feeling like there needed to be more. What I mean by that is that for example the author included a passage of the Supremes receiving money, then went on to say that it was a lot of money at the time. I would have appreciated an actual conversion of that amount into what that would be after inflation at the time the book was written. In general I just felt that there needed to be more description and at times more explanation.
Long story short, I felt it was a nice quick read, but I wanted more than that I wanted more depth and explanation.
Long story short, I felt it was a nice quick read, but I wanted more than that I wanted more depth and explanation.
December 13, 2009
it told the story of one of the original and founding members of the supremes. I think we all take sides with her because, She only wanted a good life.
February 9, 2013
Sad what happened to this talented lady. Too many people out for themselves and took advantage of her.
April 21, 2025
The life of founding Supreme Florence Ballard is a true tragedy. Reading about her rise to international stardom as part of the Motown girl group, to being ousted, and to languishing in legal fights and poverty until her too-early death in Peter Benjaminson's The Lost Supreme: The Life of Dreamgirl Florence Ballard was devastating to read.
I lately read Diana Ross' Secrets of a Sparrow. And to hear Ballard's experience with Motown and the Supremes was interesting. I enjoyed learning about Ballard's genuine love and talent for singing. She held an infectious humor and sass. She wasn't afraid to snap back at those who were attempting to step on her.
To read how dirty Motown did her, which, in my opinion, largely resulted in her death was heartbreaking. Ballard went from being at the top of her game and then to living off of welfare -- all because Motown deceived and took advantage of her, also punishing her because she felt and spoke out against her and other Supreme member, Mary Wilson, being treated unfairly in comparison to Ross.
What a tragic story of such a beautiful soul. This book is well researched and it reads very well. I recommend it for those interested in learning about the dynamic Supremes.
I lately read Diana Ross' Secrets of a Sparrow. And to hear Ballard's experience with Motown and the Supremes was interesting. I enjoyed learning about Ballard's genuine love and talent for singing. She held an infectious humor and sass. She wasn't afraid to snap back at those who were attempting to step on her.
To read how dirty Motown did her, which, in my opinion, largely resulted in her death was heartbreaking. Ballard went from being at the top of her game and then to living off of welfare -- all because Motown deceived and took advantage of her, also punishing her because she felt and spoke out against her and other Supreme member, Mary Wilson, being treated unfairly in comparison to Ross.
What a tragic story of such a beautiful soul. This book is well researched and it reads very well. I recommend it for those interested in learning about the dynamic Supremes.
September 15, 2017
I enjoyed reading and I just wanna say it was so sad what happened to her. If it weren't for that low life diana ross she would be held as the DIVA she was meant to be. I can't forget the other scumbag berry gordy. You retched little puke bucket; there's a special spot in hell just for you and miss ross. Mary was her only real and true friend in the end.
May 11, 2020
Beautifully written, but so very very sad for how Florence Ballard and her family ended.
Great reading! I felt tremendous grief, but hopeful at least for her daughters, someone should have mentored them, & taken interest to help prepared them for a better future.
It's never to late to rewrite your story!
Great reading! I felt tremendous grief, but hopeful at least for her daughters, someone should have mentored them, & taken interest to help prepared them for a better future.
It's never to late to rewrite your story!
May 13, 2019
Her Side Of The Story
It is refreshing to get it straight from Florence and to understand closely her circumstances. It was certainly more detailed information here that has never been revealed elsewhere.
It is refreshing to get it straight from Florence and to understand closely her circumstances. It was certainly more detailed information here that has never been revealed elsewhere.
July 3, 2019
This was an interesting story of the life of Florence Ballard, from her beginnings, to her rise and downfall through Motown as told to Peter Benjaminson. This was such a sad read and it's a shame the way they treated her. I truly felt sorry for her.
August 13, 2019
Love live Florence Ballard
Was so glad to see someone told the story of Florence Ballard. Although she died before i was born it hurts my soul to see how Berry and Diana treated her.
Was so glad to see someone told the story of Florence Ballard. Although she died before i was born it hurts my soul to see how Berry and Diana treated her.
January 15, 2021
I like this book Hg
I like this book it was very interesting I gave a lot of information of what happened to Florence and they really give you something that I think about you gotta learn to read your contract gotta learn to read before you sign anything
I like this book it was very interesting I gave a lot of information of what happened to Florence and they really give you something that I think about you gotta learn to read your contract gotta learn to read before you sign anything
February 9, 2023
I was very leery about reading this book. But I wanted to know more about Ms. Ballard's life. I was supremely disappointed with this book no pun intended. The book borrows a lot from other books. Or maybe I'm too much of a Ms. Ross fan to give an HONEST review. Nonetheless, not an enjoyable read.
January 30, 2024
Great read! If you are a true fan of Florence Ballard I feel like you would find this book very interesting. This book did have me shed a few tears because of how sorrow her life had become after The Supremes.
February 7, 2020
A sad but interesting story about Motown and the Supremes.
February 11, 2020
It’s Alright
It’s an easy and fast read. Most I either already knew or had read somewhere else. There were no new and shocking revelations.
It’s an easy and fast read. Most I either already knew or had read somewhere else. There were no new and shocking revelations.
April 2, 2020
Poor Florence
A talented Singer who got dumped from the group she created. Such a great loss. Dream girl Forever. Rest In Peace Flo.
A talented Singer who got dumped from the group she created. Such a great loss. Dream girl Forever. Rest In Peace Flo.
March 28, 2021
Excellent!
There was so much history with this group. To this day I hear their songs and enjoy the music from that era, regardless whatever took place!!!!!!
There was so much history with this group. To this day I hear their songs and enjoy the music from that era, regardless whatever took place!!!!!!
July 24, 2021
Good book.
June 15, 2022
It was very telling from here point of view, Motown was something else behind scenes.
February 14, 2025
I became a Supremes fan around the time I started reading this book. I had never paid attention to their music before, but enjoy it now, even though I know the music was very contrived. What I got most from this book was that sometimes life just isn't fair. Flo, who was supposedly the better singer and who had started the group, got kicked out and sank into despair and eventually passed away at a young age. I now understand that Diana Ross became the lead singer not because she was better than Flo, but only because she appealed more to the mainstream record buying public. Too bad Flo could not revive her career as a solo artist after leaving the Supremes. I suppose that sometimes in life, you don't get too many chances...
June 1, 2013
If you’ve never read anything about the rise and fall of the Supremes, you might enjoy this book more than I did. However, if you’re a Supremes fanatic like me, you’ll probably find it middle of the road. While not as bad as the Diana Ross memoir, “Secrets of a Sparrow” (even the name of that one starts the gag reflex,) this book reads more like a long newspaper article instead of a well thought out book. I guess that would make sense as the author was a newspaper reporter for the “Detroit Free Press.” The guy quotes all of the books about the Supremes that came out before this, so the only thing that this one has going for itself is that Benjaminson interviewed Flo about a year before she died. Thus, it truly is her side of the story and in her own words. Whether it’s the truth or not, that is up to the reader to determine. This one also focuses more on the legal battles Flo took up against Motown and her lawyers, but in the end, she comes across more pathetic than I think she was. I’d recommend the Mary Well’s Supremes books – “Dreamgirl – My Life as a Supreme,” and “Supreme Faith,” as well as “Call Her Miss Ross,” by Randy Taraborelli and “All That Glittered – My Life with Supremes” by Tony Turner and Barbara Aria before this one.
September 14, 2016
If I could, I'd give The Lost Supreme 3 1/2 stars.
The Supremes are one of the greatest "girl" trios to sing in my opinion. I read Mary Wilson's account a long time ago & have always wondered "what about Flo?" Reading Flo's biography made me feel a range of emotions: glad that her story is available to the masses, sad that she went through such an ordeal after being fired, angry that she let others take advantage of her & that the powers that be felt there was no wrong in their actions.
Flo's story is so short, I can't help but wonder if there's more to it. Probably none of my business, but...
Biographies are different to critique. I tend to be a details type of person & reading such a short life story really accentuates the meaning of lost. 30-anything is too young to pass away & knowing Flo only shared a small portion of her talent in a few years is a loss for all Motown fans.
Rest in Heaven Ms. Ballard.
The Supremes are one of the greatest "girl" trios to sing in my opinion. I read Mary Wilson's account a long time ago & have always wondered "what about Flo?" Reading Flo's biography made me feel a range of emotions: glad that her story is available to the masses, sad that she went through such an ordeal after being fired, angry that she let others take advantage of her & that the powers that be felt there was no wrong in their actions.
Flo's story is so short, I can't help but wonder if there's more to it. Probably none of my business, but...
Biographies are different to critique. I tend to be a details type of person & reading such a short life story really accentuates the meaning of lost. 30-anything is too young to pass away & knowing Flo only shared a small portion of her talent in a few years is a loss for all Motown fans.
Rest in Heaven Ms. Ballard.
Read
January 6, 2012#1 of 52 musician biographies I plan to read in 2012. I really liked how the author skims over the "rise-to-the-top" stuff and gets right into how somebody can be at the height of success one moment and on welfare the next. I had always thought that Flo Ballard's story was kind of a garden-variety too much-too soon tale, but it's easy to understand now how she found herself in her particular predicament. The book presents a (surprise surprise) cynical view of the popular music industry, where artists are grist for the mill and the only ones that really make it are the ones who favor fame over craft. Ballard resisted, and paid the price.
December 5, 2009
Unfortunately, if you are a fan of the musical group The Supremes and want to learn the real story, you may be disappointed with this brief book about Florence Ballard. Florence Ballard (1943-1976) dreamed up the name of the Supremes, but was fired from the group by Barry Gordy, the owner of Motown Records. The rest of her brief life was filled with lawsuits and poverty. Read other books about the Supremes, instead. My favorite is Tony Turner's book on his life touring and hanging out with The Supremes.
January 17, 2015
I love the music of Motown, especially the Supremes, so I was excited to come across this book. While the history of Florence Ballard and Motown is fascinating, it was a very slow read. The author, who had interviewed Flo at length before her death in 1976, was able to use Flo's own words often. However, the prose just didn't flow well. I considered quitting the book, but I'm glad I finished it.
January 12, 2015
While I enjoyed this book, having read Mary Wilson's book Dreamgirl before this, I found that everything had been covered in that book so there was very little new here.
The direct quotes from the interview held by Peter were very interesting however.
The direct quotes from the interview held by Peter were very interesting however.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews