Most parts about the writer herself the sister and the family. Ballard had always wanted to be a singer and auditioned for the creation of a sister group of the. Ballard s time with the supremes is said to be the inspiration behind the broadway hit musical, and oscarwinning movie, dreamgirls. Florence ballard related terms, short phrases and links. Jan 22, 2009 cindy birdsong on dreamgirls and her life away from the spotlight last of three parts posted on january 22, 2009 by greg hernandez at the height of their fame in the late 1960s, diana ross and the supremes not only made records and toured, they were a frequent presence on television especially on ed sullivans sunday night variety. Besides this book the true story of florence ballard 2nd second edition, you could likewise find hundreds lists of the books from many sources, collections, publishers, as well as writers in worldwide. Her closest sibling, maxine ballard jenkins, is hoping to set the record straight in her new selfpublished book titled, the true story of florence blondie ballard. Although i knew ballards story and had, in fact, lived with it for decades, i read the revised. On december, 20 my friend maxine precious ballard jenkins died she was the sister of florence ballard who was in the supremes she is the author of the book about her sister called the true story of florence ballard also i knew doris jean holland now deceased and esther gordy edwards sister of motown records founder berry gordy jr.
By the time she turned 15, her family moved to the brewsterdouglas housing project, and florence attended northeastern high school, where she met and became friends with mary wilson. And there the story would have ended that night of february 22, 1976, but for one thing. The lost supreme and a classic hollywood con rolling stone. Ballard had been one of the original supremes until she was forced out of the threewoman group by motown founder berry gordy and supreme diva diana ross. Mary wilson of the supremes on dreamgirls, sparkle, diana. Maxine ballard dropped by the studio to promote her book, the true story of florence blondie ballard. Enjoy this great documentary about our dear flo, the founder of. The true story of florence ballard by maxine ballard 2007. But, in the months before her 1976 death, flo actually did tell her own side of the supremes story and the story.
Maxine ballard jenkins is the author of the true story of florence ballard 3. In 2010, an atlantabased woman, karen spencer, said she d optioned peter benjaminson s book on flo, the lost supreme. The book covers the story of wilsons life from her childhood, to meeting florence ballard and diana ross and forming the primettes later the supremes, to the groups later international success and personal conflicts in the 1960s, ballard s replacement with cindy birdsong in 1967, the development of ross as a solo act, and ross split from. I just heard that maxine precious ballard the sister who kept flos memory alive through her book the true story of florence ballard, as well as participating in the tv one unsung episode of florence ballard, and publicizing the wrongs that had been done to flo died this morning at 1. Only florence ballard, the spunky teenager who founded the group, remained silent. Feb 21, 2007 im just telling you how the real florence ballard was.
Ballard was a founding member of the popular motown vocal female group the supremes. Florence blondie ballard, diane diana ross and mary wil. I first heard about this on the bus coming home from a friend but i went on facebook to confirm it. Maxine precious ballards book the true story of florence ballard will prove to be frustrating to readers who expected her to dump on diana ross and mary wilson. The vision, who asked turner to call a cab for her, was florence ballard, one of the original supremes. Maxine precious ballard author of the true story of. Lectureconcert series presents maxine precious ballard. Though the group was just starting to have hit records, turner hadnt heard of the. The supremes member mary wilson has mixed feelings about. Of the three original membersdiana ross, mary wilson, and florence ballard two told their life stories in bestselling books. Flos sister maxine wrote in her selfpublished book, the true story of florence ballard, that jesse ballard had a problem with alcohol, but flo never mentioned it.
Florence ballard sister talks about motown and the. Remembering the supremes florence ballard wsrq lecom. Born in detroit in 1943, singer florence ballard, became famous in the 1960s as a member of the supremes, a group which she started with. Brian holland, edward holland, and lamont dozier, known as hol. Ballard sang on 16 top 40 singles with the group, including ten numberone hits. Maxine holds a ba and ma degrees from the university of detroit mercy during the 1960s and the 1970s maxine was a singer and entertainer maxine is the author of the book about her sister florence glenda ballard chapman who was an original member of the motown. The true story of florence ballard by maxine precious ballard.
Flo ballard book author maxine ballard part ii youtube. But this is essentially the story of the relationship between ross and berry gordy, the founder of motown, and the toll it exacted on the other two supremes, florence ballard and mary wilson. Florence ballard right, who founded the supremes, was forced out of the group. Ballards time with the supremes is said to be the inspiration behind the broadway hit musical, and oscarwinning movie, dreamgirls. On february 22, 1976, florence ballard died of a coronary thrombosis blood clot in one of her coronary arteries. Ballard and the supremes by randall wilson book the true story of florence ballard. In the months before she died, florence ballard, the spunky teenager who founded the most successful female vocal group in historythe supremestold her own side of the story. Growing up in detroit the statuesque sisters were born in detroit only 11 months apart, maxine in 1942, the eighth ballard child, and florence in 1943, the. Cindy birdsong on dreamgirls and her life away from the. By clicking the web link that we provide, you can take the book the true story of florence ballard 2nd second edition completely. In 2010, an atlantabased woman, karen spencer, said shed optioned peter benjaminsons book on flo, the lost supreme.
Aug 08, 2009 but this is essentially the story of the relationship between ross and berry gordy, the founder of motown, and the toll it exacted on the other two supremes, florence ballard and mary wilson. Dec 10, 2006 dreamgirls draws its story from the relationship between the supremes and motown records founder berry gordy jr. Florence blondie ballard, diane diana ross and mary wilson met and became childhood friends during the 1950s. From rags to richesand back to rags by maxine ballard hardcover, 249 pages, published 2007. Maxine ballard jenkins author of the true story of. Maxine ballard writes the true story of florence ballard. Of the three original membersdiana ross, mary wilson, and florence ballardtwo told their life stories in bestselling books. It was really our story but its not true, she said of dreamgirls. The book is also very repetitive as she says things like flo was raped over and over, flo tried to call mary and diane, flo went to buy some beer over and over again. An interview with author of book about the founding member of the supremes florence blondie ballard.
The billy bragg song king james version on his william bloke album. Oct 02, 2016 for carol denise mitchell books on amazon go to link below to buy the michael jackson book. Get to know the real flo, from the beginning to the end. It turns out the back story on that longpromised movie based upon the tragic life of former supreme florence ballard could be a movie on its own a film noir. Ebook download the true story of florence ballard 2nd. Attach to internet, download, as well as conserve to your gadget. Maxine precious ballard jenkins, the sister of florence ballard, has written the true account of florence ballard s life, including her reasons behind leaving the group, the relationship she shared with childhood friends, mary and diane, and the dramatic turn her life took in later years. The lost supreme the life of dreamgirl florence ballard pt. The book she was referring to was the lost supreme. The retired kindergarten teachers selfpublished book will be available in a month or two on her web site.
In 2006 ballards sister maxine precious jenkins began publishing an online book, titled a life supreme. The sadness and the joys wrapped around an unforgettable era in motown history. Shes repeating stuff from marys book and randys book and she gets much of it wrong. Ballard has authored the book the true story of florence ballard to address her sisters life and her. Florence ballard s story has been referenced in a number of works by other artists. The book is titled the true story of florence ballard but i only got bits and pieces of her life. Enjoy this great documentary about our dear flo, the founder of the worlds greatest female vocal group. Jul 01, 2014 the lost supreme and a classic hollywood con. For example, ballard was reared in a family of 15 children in detroits brewsterdouglass projects and had even more attitude than the character played by hudson. Feb 22, 2017 a chapter from peter benjaminsons 2008 book the lost supreme. This is just what make you can quickly locate as well as get this the true story of florence ballard 2nd second edition by reading this website. For carol denise mitchell books on amazon go to link below to buy the michael jackson book. Several of the characters in the play are analogues of reallife supremesmotown counterparts, with the story focusing upon the florence ballard doppelganger effie white. Maxine precious ballard jenkins, the sister of florence ballard, has written the true account of florence ballards life, including her reasons behind leaving the group, the relationship she shared with childhood friends, mary and diane, and the dramatic turn her life took in later years.
In 2006 ballard s sister maxine precious jenkins began publishing an online book, titled a life supreme. The florence ballard story is both a sad and stupid one of human fraility imposed and selfimposed. Maxine precious ballard is the sister of florence flo ballard, the late founding member of the motown female r and b musical group, the supremes, considered by many to be the greatest female singing group of all time. Florence glenda chapman was an american singer, a founding member of the popular. Maxine ballard, sister of florence, reveals more motown history in. Florence ballards story has been referenced in a number of works by other artists. The life of dreamgirl florence ballard is the second recent book to pay tribute to ballards tragic legacy following sister maxine ballards 2007 memoir the. Remembering the supremes florence ballard wmce lecom. Sep, 2010 the book covers the story of wilsons life from her childhood, to meeting florence ballard and diana ross and forming the primettes later the supremes, to the groups later international success and personal conflicts in the 1960s, ballards replacement with cindy birdsong in 1967, the development of ross as a solo act, and ross split from.
He had started working there at age twenty or twentyone. June 30, 1943 february 22, 1976 was an american singer. The 1980 song romeos tune, from steve forberts album jackrabbit slim is dedicated to the memory of florence ballard. Your view of florence ballard and her life will be dramatically reversed. Oct 19, 2015 profile of late supreme florence ballard. Another biography, the true story of florence ballard, was published by ballard s sister maxine ballard in 2007. Apr 20, 2019 its a clever mix of the story of the supremes as it progressed throughout that year the hits, diana, berry, motown etc and the shootings that were the focus of the last katherine bigelow movie detroit the book is better. The book the true story of florence ballard 2nd second edition that we will certainly provide right here is the soft data concept. Maxine has penned a yettobereleased book titled the true story of florence blondie ballard. The life of dreamgirl florence ballard, detailed musician pamela brandt of the deadly nightshade, who performed with ballard, recollection of seeing her come alive on stage. Those expecting florences thoughts on meeting the beatles, her reaction to worldwide fame at such a young age, her european experiences and the acceptance she felt there, may be disappointed. Maxine precious ballard is the author of the true story of florence ballard 2. Published on mar 15, 2018 in the months before she died, florence ballard, the spunky teenager who founded the most successful female vocal group in. Maxine precious ballard jenkins 194220 find a grave.
Cindy birdsong on dreamgirls and her life away from the spotlight last of three parts. The supremes were the most successful female vocal group in history. After being removed from the supremes in 1967, ballard tried an unsuccessful solo career with abc records before she was. Under the watchful eye and skilled tutelage of milton jenkins, the friends later became the trio the primettes, ultimately transformed into the greatest female singing group. Maxine precious ballard sister of supreme passes away. Maxine holds a ba and ma degrees from the university of detroit mercy during the 1960s and the 1970s maxine was a singer and entertainer maxine is the author of the book about her sister florence glenda ballard chapman who was an original member of the motown singing group the supremes originally known as the primettes before going to motown. Maxine ballard, sister of florence, reveals more motown. Oscarnominated film renews interest in florence ballard, the real dreamgirl. Jun 08, 2012 the remake of the 1976 film and another project, the dreamgirls movie and play, are based, to some extent, on the story of the supremes. The true story of florence ballard is a new book coming out this spring.
Jesse ballard spent most of his life working at general motors. She implies that diana was sleeping with berry when she was a teenager, and also says. See more ideas about books, true stories, childrens books. Florence glenda wilson ballard was born and grew up in detroit.
The book also helps to dispel many of the rumors surrounding florence ballards death. Sep 08, 2019 even before they were the supremes, diana ross, mary wilson, and florence ballard were passionate fashionistas. Jun 17, 2009 maxine ballard dropped by the studio to promote her book, the true story of florence blondie ballard. The letter writing campaign, mckaie says, was a success on one level in that he finally listened to the florence ballard abc tapes. The true story of florence ballard by maxine ballard jenkins. In 2002, the supreme florence ballard, which included all the tracks from the album she recorded for abc records in 1968, was released on compact disc by spectrum, a londonbased company. A celebration of the queens of motown, this text traces the career of one of the most successful musical groups of the 1960s that defined the music of an era.
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