The Supremes were America's number one hit-making machine of the sixties, and though Berry Gordy pushed Diana Ross to their frontline, the Supremes were very much a group. Behind Ross's brassy leads were the softer, sultrier sounds of Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. When Ballard left the group amidst unfortunate circumstances in 1967 and Cindy Birdsong stepped in, Mary Wilson remained a constant. Classics such as "Where Did Our Love Go", "Back in My Arms Again", and "Come See About Me" (in which she receives a neat namecheck) would be unthinkable without her. She also contributed leads to such tracks as "Baby Don't Go", a cover of the Vandellas' "Come and Get These Memories", "Floy Joy" and "Automatically Sunshine". When Ross went on to to a superstar solo career in the seventies, Mary Wilson remained the Supremes most dedicated torch bearer, sticking with the group through several more line ups, penning books about her days in the band, and often talking to and meeting with fans. By all accounts she was a charming and gracious woman as well as a stand-out talent. Sadly Mary Wilson died of unknown causes yesterday. She was 76.
