"A concise, coherent, engaging, well-written biography" -Library Journal
Motown Records launched the careers of many black recording artists. One of the most beloved groups was the Supremes, with Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard.
Contrary to popular belief, Ballard was the founder of the group; however, at the time of her death, she was unemployed, broke, and on welfare, never able to recover her career after being fired from the group. Her constant battles with Motown owner Berry Gordy, Ross and her lawyers caused financial and emotional ruin.
Although there are many available books on the Supremes, this one concentrates on Ballard's life before, during, and after her rise to fame; former reporter Benjaminson (The Story of Motown) gathered information from Ballard herself shortly before she died. His style is concise, coherent, and engaging. Readers who are familiar with the group and even those who are not will definitely enjoy this well-written biography.
[The character of Effie White, played by Jennifer Hudson in the popular film adaptation of Dreamgirls, is based on Florence Ballard. ---Ed.]
--- Rosalind Dayen, South Regional Library, Broward Cty., FL.