The
Supremes were the most successful female vocal group in
history. Of the three original members--Diana Ross, Mary
Wilson, and Florence Ballard--two have told their life stories
in bestselling books.
Only
Florence Ballard, the spunky teenager who founded the group,
has remained silent. Until now.
Florence
Ballard, known to her friends as Flo or “Blondie,” died in
1976. Diana and Mary attended her tumultuous funeral. But in
the months before she died, Flo told her own side of the
Supremes story---and the story of her entire life---to Peter
Benjaminson, who recorded Flo’s words on tape. In this book,
for the first time, is Flo Ballard’s entire heartbreaking
tale, revealing:
- The
details of the love-hate relationship between Flo and Motown
Records Czar Berry Gordy, including details of their first
and only date;
- Flo's
serious drinking problem and her ignored pleas for treatment
for her alcoholism;
-
Flo’s
never-ending desire to be the Supremes’ lead singer, the
support thousands of fans gave her, Diana Ross’s successful
struggle to prevent this, and much much more.
Flo Ballard traveled around the world in luxury, chatting
with royalty and heads of state, applauded by
millions. Long after her death, a fictional version of
her life was portrayed by Actress Jennifer Hudson in the
movie "Dreamgirls." But when Flo's life ended, at the
age of 32, she was a mother of three who had only recently
escaped from welfare. The purpose of this book is to
explain how this happened.
-
Peter
Benjaminson is the author of the books
Investigative
Reporting (with Dave Anderson), Death in
the Afternoon, Publish Without Perishing, Secret
Police and The Story of Motown. He
has worked as a reporter for the Detroit Free Press
and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now
lives in New York City.