Diana Ross & The Supremes - Ed Sullivan Shows '60's

The Supremes first appeared on the Sullivan stage on December 27, 1964 to perform their smash single, "Come See About Me.” In this early black and white performance, the girls wore simple dresses and matching bouffant hair-dos, and the audience fell in love with their infectious charm and appeal. Over the next several years, with the support of Motown songwriters, choreographers and stylists, their look and sound became much more sophisticated. By the time they performed their hit “You Can’t Hurry Love” on Sullivan in 1966, the trio had gone from cute girls to beautiful women, showing off sequined gowns, glamorous hair and impressive talent.
On November 19th 1967, a memorable event featured two of Motown’s biggest acts - The Supremes and The Temptations on The Ed Sullivan Show. The Supremes sang The Temptations’ hits (“Get Ready” and “I’m Losing You”), while The Temptations performed The Supremes’ hits (“Stop! In The Name of Love,” and “Baby Love”). The success of this musical pairing inspired NBC to give them two primetime specials.
Apart their great performances, what makes the Supremes’ run on The Ed Sullivan Show so special is the relationship the group had with Ed Sullivan himself. By all accounts, Sullivan developed a soft spot for the three young singers over the course of the show’s run. Mary Wilson was quoted as telling reporters, “At first, being young, there was a little distance, but he became very close to us when he found we were kind of, you know, nice girls. He really liked that.”
But the symbiotic relationship between The Ed Sullivan Show and The Supremes was more than just a soft spot. The show offered not only a highly visible stage for the group, but also some valuable artistic advice as well. John Moffitt, one of The Ed Sullivan Show directors, recalls that the show’s musical director Bob Arthur “was the first one to talk Diana Ross into doing classics rather than just doing the real pop stuff. He talked her into doing classics - Rodgers and Hammerstein and other composers. [Arthur] helped, really, to diversify her material and her career.” On the May 5th 1968 show, Diana Ross & The Supremes performance was dedicated to composer Irving Berlin. They performed a 5-minute medley (with Ethel Merman) of 50 Irving Berlin-tunes.
On December 21st 1969, Diana Ross and The Supremes performed their final song together as a group, the ironically entitled "Someday We’ll Be Together.” When the cameras cut to Ed, he told the audience that Diana Ross was leaving the group to pursue a solo career. In effect, it ended The Supremes’ run on this very stage where they had risen to fame.
ED SULLIVAN SHOW appearances in 1964
1- Come See About Me
2- You're Nobody 'till Somebody Loves You
3- My World Is Empty Without You
4- Somewhere
5- Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart
6- More
7- You Can't Hurry Love
8- Medley:
*I Hear A Symphony
*Stranger In Paradise
*Wonderful, Wonderful
*Without A Song
*Yes I Do
9-My Favorite Things
10- Medley:
*Come See About Me
*Stop In The Name Of Love
*You Can't Hurry Love
* You Keep Me Hangin' On
* I Hear A Symphony
ED SULLIVAN SHOW appearances in 1966
11- The Happening
12- Medley:
*Thoroughly Modern Millie
*Second Hand Rose
*Mame
13- In & Out Of Love
14- Medley: (With The Temptations)
*Stop In The Name Of Love
*My Girl
*Baby Love
15- I Know I"m Losing You
16- Greensleeves / Thou Swell
ED SULLIVAN SHOW appearances in 1967
17- Forever Came Today
18- Fats Waller Medley:
*Honeysuckle Rose
*Ain't Misbehaving
*Keeping Out Of Mischief Now
19- Always
20- Irving Berlin Medley with Ethel Merman:
*Say It With Music
*It's A Lovely Day Today
*Heat Wave
*Say It Isn't So
ED SULLIVAN SHOW appearances in 1968
21- Funny Girl Medley:
*I'm The Greatest Star
*Funny Girl
*Don't Rain On My Parade
*People
22- Love Child
23- Love Child
24- I'm Living In Shame
25- I Get A Kick Out Of You
26- The Impossible Dream
27- You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
28- No Matter What Sing You Are
ED SULLIVAN SHOW appearances in 1969
29- Ed Sullivan talks to Diana Ross
30- Medley:
*Baby Love
*Stop In The Name Of Love
*Come See About Me
*My World Is Empty Without You
*You Can't Hurry Love
*The Happening
*Keep Me Hangin' On
*Reflections
*Love Child
*I Hear A Symphony
31- Someday We'll Be Together

[@williamwashington1986]

There was nothing like The original Supremes!! Florence, Mary, Diane. Let's be clear they didn't become "Diana Ross and The Supremes" until Florence was fired in July 1967. Though Diane was the lead singer (which commercially was a great choice) both Florence and Mary added an essential spice, beauty and flair to the trio! They were all talented singers (especially Florence. Her voice so strong and beautiful) with beautiful harmonies! The super duper Supreme!! RIP Florence and Mary ❤🙏

[@NoirGalaxyMagixBaddie18]

Yeah but apparently they were doing name changes with other groups to reinvent

[@williamwashington1986]

@@NoirGalaxyMagixBaddie18 I'm not referring to other groups. I'm just speaking on The Supremes. All who are aware of their history know the true reason of the name change.

[@Bochanable]

Do you have anything positive to share? Move on there’s a dark world in our view and we need to be compassionate and look for the positive.

[@Hezekiah-dj3bm]

Love the slit dresses, and love Florence's legs stunning$$$$$$

[@Maatization]

Stop calling her DianE

[@user-nd6df3zj5u]

Because of them Black women turned up their "glam" game in the 60s.✌️😄

[@theronedawson3236]

I was a kid back than and loved me the Supremes. Being a little boy watching 3 black women back than was great. They were young and beautiful. Like Mary Wilson said in her book black people were not look upon as citizens until the rights to vote was signed inb1965 I wii say for Diana in this performance of There A Place For Us she was very dramatic in her performance. 😊

[@reginaldturner1669]

That’s the best melody that she did with Supremes. Congratulations on being 80 Diana Ross.

[@DPF1963]

The greatest female vocal group of all time ❤❤

[@AlkalineInsides]

My goodness! The Supremes did In And Out Of Love, The medley with The Temptations and THEN Thou Swell all in one night??? My goodness. Talk about true professionals, yet overworked. But I’m sure they had a blast.

[@richardharper7485]

The greatest women's group of all time , 12#1 hits Supremes/ Diana Ross and the Supremes, I've been a super fan since 1974& met Mary and Diana

[@kurtsupreme]

They were only Diana Ross and The Supremes for about 15 minutes.............knock off the Diane Ross revisionist history.........as they were then and are now, they are THE SUPREMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Bochanable]

This helped change the perception of people of color. We had just experienced the assassination of our beloved President Kennedy the previous November 23rd 1963. A much needed diversion heralded the British Invasion, The Beatles. The Motown Sound continued to grow and be successful. Here comes Diana, Mary & Flo…the elegant game changing Supremes. This was years before we had home video recorder. So we had to be glued to the television watching intently……….and we weren’t alone, there was Oprah! Luther Vandross experiencing the metamorphosis that each appearance on The Ed Sullivan! My life would never be the same………I was awakened a little gay boy of color……..

[@rondothard1698]

This is so sad, People still even in 2024 don't view African Americans as American citizen. Why I don't know!

[@Pharaohas]

Diana Ross and The Supremes Forever 😘

[@kurtsupreme]

THE SUPREMES forever!!! Knock off the Diane Ross revisionist history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@garysmith394]

That's right! Let's not confuse the two groups.@@kurtsupreme

[@kurtsupreme]

@@garysmith394 They were still THE SUPREMES!!!!

[@aintnothingliketheoldskool]

​​@@canyonsurfer2426you knock of your obsessions with Diana Ross all he said was supremes forever Mary Florence and Cindy mattered too.

[@darrellsadler2848]

They performed and moved and sang as true ladies during their performances.

[@jl3322]

Its 1000% clear the Supremes were never the same when they lost the harmonies they had with Florence Glenda Ballard. RIP

[@chicagorainbow8935]

Her Middle name was Glenda.

[@jl3322]

@@chicagorainbow8935 Thanks. Corrected.

[@DanielleGillmoreJohnson]

I agree 💯%. After Flo was replaced, the Supremes lost their beautiful 3-part harmony. P.S. Yeah, her middle name was Glenda. 😊

[@chicagorainbow8935]

@@jl3322 It's All The Way Good 💯💯💯

[@cravendubose8179]

The Supremes were never the same when DIANA ROSS LEFT.

[@husseindawodu1048]

From 64-67 With Flo Was Amazing 67-70 with Cindy was Alright

[@cravendubose8179]

There's no difference

[@Patibens]

There was a difference. Cindy never screwed up a routine and wasn't as stiff in her movements as Flo was.

[@Patibens]

on record yes cause Cindy never sang on a #1 hit.

[@richardrichard9631]

Neither did Mary after 67

[@cravendubose8179]

@@Patibens I agree with you, Cindy was a better supreme..Flo was stiff.

[@curtbonnell4308]

Ed really loved this group. I remember watching the show when he forgot the group's name & just introduced as The Girls. They were and will always be the BEST girl group ever.

[@oreginaldhendricks6841]

Loved watching the Ed Sullivan show with all the greatest hits of Diana Ross and the Supremes took me back to my teenage years.

[@Hezekiah-dj3bm]

Flo, was stunning to look at!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Maatization]

Flo was an idiot who let her jealousy end her career.

[@feminineone9610]

Looks like Ed loveeeeeeeeee him some Surpremes🥰🥰🌺🥰

[@KeithBeez]

Flo said in an interview “I had body”….Lord she did and looks GOODT in this yellow gown.

[@trumpiekeith8531]

Flo looks great in any gown! Her curves are gorgeous.

[@obiephillips9174]

The Supremes weren't really an equal group until Diana Ross left. That is when the other girls were able to shine and reveal all of their talents. Just look how far back and separated the two girls are from Diana while on stage. They stopped doing that when Jean took over.

[@Maatization]

What talent did Mary have to shine? Being pretty...she chose to stay in the background which says a lot. Diana is the reason we know about any of the Supremes including Jean.

[@juniebe4]

Wrong.. Your Horns are Showing Mary Does Have Talent, Even If She Sings Background…. Was More Soulful Than Ross.. Oh! You Don’t Know What Soul Is.

[@Tony-jp3pb]

THOSE GOWNS!!!

[@mastafa4517]

Diana Ross and The Supremes! They are supreme for sure❤

[@feminineone9610]

Omg.. when the cameraman zeroed in on Flo😮😮😮… what a beautiful woman 🥰🌺🙏🏽

[@priscillarice1736]

The SUPREMES😊these classic songs & performances will never get tired! Thxs for sharing a these videos. Beautiful gowns & singing😃

[@kathyblass5524]

Diana danced as well as she sang,,,,,♥️♥️♥️♥️always a superstar ,,.,.,.,.very balanced ///////very rare combination

[@McCoy_Flood_Jr.]

Please don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Diana Ross' legacy, she's actually the first female mega pop star in my opinion. Let's not forget during the mid 60's during the advancement of radio, television, technology, and segregation war in America, but I say all this to say that while I watched the video progress, and now knowing the Supremes' back story, the camera slowly focused more on Diana as their popularity progressed the further the video played. She really was one of the first of countless groups who were setup to go solo before the group's popularity starts to decline so that particular Record Label can continue to bank thousands.

[@arleneoliver9581]

i love my girls !!!

[@williamkelly8026]

The best version of You Can't Hurry Love they (or anyone) ever did. They were truly fantastic

[@Hezekiah-dj3bm]

and whats worse as long as people😮😮 support diana she dont have a need to think about flo and mary mary yall rest in peace😊, 😢😢😢

[@aintnothingliketheoldskool]

I love all of these live performances ⭐⭐⭐❤️❤️❤️ forever and always The Supremes continue to rest in peace Mary Wilson Florence Ballard and My prayers to Cindy Birdsong ❤️❤️❤️❤️.

[@kathyblass5524]

They had the largest repertoire ever

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

Diana hated "You're Nobody Till Someone Loves You." She had a big argument with Berry Gordy about it. He finally convinced her to do it.

[@elizabethdaniellesimaviggi3289]

SU,ooohPREMES', FOREVER❤

[@Jasper7182009]

With the Ray Bloch and his orchestra, “Can’t Hurry Love” is better than the released record.

[@vickiwhitney2789]

❤ BEAUTIFUL SONG

[@vickiwhitney2789]

Somewhere Someday. .Beautiful Song!

[@juniebe4]

No.. The Funk Brothers Soundtrack Is Better

[@georginahawcroft8044]

Florence Ballard fantastic vocals there ..

[@jl3322]

After 68 Mary and Cindy rarely sang on any single or album releases. Awful. That Gordy was never fooling anyone. GREAT COMPILATION! Thank you

[@DanielleGillmoreJohnson]

Yeah, I agree. When Flo was in the group, they had great 3-part harmony. After Flo was replaced with Cindy, distinctive harmony no longer existed. By then, Berry's focus was solely on Diana, not the group. The background vocals weren't as important and could be added via track.

[@juniebe4]

Only With The Temptations And The Four Tops

[@McCoy_Flood_Jr.]

Many people have sworn that the production of the Dreamgirls Broadway/Movie is not about The Supremes but a mixture of them all, but the parallel stories always made me disagree. Please don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Diana Ross' legacy, she's actually the first female mega pop star in my opinion. Let's not forget during the mid 60's during the advancement of radio, television, technology, and segregation war in America, but I say all this to say that while I watched the video progress, and now knowing the Supremes' back story, the camera slowly focused more on Diana as their popularity progressed the further the video played. She really was one of the first of countless groups who were setup to go solo before the group's popularity starts to decline so that particular Record Label can continue to bank thousands.

[@McCoy_Flood_Jr.]

MJ was encouraged and persuaded to go solo when he felt the urge to before J5 dwindled, Justin Timberlake was encouraged and persuaded to go solo while he had the urge to before N'Sync dwindled, Beyonce' bowed out gracefully with Destiny's Child as well to move on. (George Michael, Bruce Springsteen, Gwen Stefani etc). Diana and The Supremes are the perfect sample of this group to lead singer solo career formula.

[@tomconley7610]

People was first sung by Florence Ballard, but Berry Gordy gave it to Diana and it crushed Flo for good

[@richardrichard9631]

Was it really

[@nopenope2601]

@@richardrichard9631yes. You can stream live recordings of Florence singing lead on People.

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

It happened at their Copacabana engagement in July 1965. Florence was recovering from the flu and was hoarse. Berry decided to Diana should sing all leads

[@ceeceetracey9839]

@@richardrichard9631 yeah, you never heard it or seen a performance here on KZbin???

[@ceeceetracey9839]

@@malcolmmarshall5946 he used that as the excuse

[@mariusallen3018]

You missed a performance Jean Terrell debut with Supremes on Ed Sullivan

[@kathyblass5524]

Great

[@donniesanectdollsandmore389]

During the Irvin Berlin medley it SEEMS I can only hear Diana (who actually sang live) and Mary's voice (which I know was pre recorded) but I don't believe I hear Cindy's voice AT ALL, am I wrong here?

[@DanielleGillmoreJohnson]

You're not wrong. Cindy can barely be heard.

[@donniesanectdollsandmore389]

Thank you, or could it be that she sang THAT shy? Seriously, I'm not even sure I hear her voice AT ALL =( @@DanielleGillmoreJohnson

[@DanielleGillmoreJohnson]

@@donniesanectdollsandmore389 You know what? Cindy's voice probably wasn't included. It also sounds like the volume was turned down on the pre-recorded background vocal track. (Can you imagine if Flo had still been in the group when they performed "In and Out of Love"? OMG, the harmony would have been insane!)

[@DanielleGillmoreJohnson]

@@donniesanectdollsandmore389 I just watched a live performance of them singing "In and Out of Love", and Cindy can barely be heard. Mary's alto is obvious, but Cindy's soprano doesn't come through strong enough.

[@cornsnake2390]

Mary’s voice flushed out Cindy’s I feel like, Cindy’s voice is too kid like and innocent to be heard up against Mary’s heavy voice. I’ve notice most times I can barely hear Cindy because Mary’s voice is literally flushing her out lol.

[@jessicafashionlover2148]

As a child i said i like the one with big. Eyes didnt know her name was diana ross

[@mariusallen3018]

Oops I didn't realize it was the Diana Ross years

[@NoirGalaxyMagixBaddie18]

At 21:34 you can see Diana tossed her earring to the side 😂😂😂

[@AmyriAbernathy8665]

*HOLY GOD! THEM BIG OL EYES*

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

At first Cindy looks awkward and not as smooth moving as Diana and Mary. But during "Thou Swell," she had definitely found her rhythm.

[@jessicafashionlover2148]

Mary was the pretty one Flo was sexy one Diana was charismatic one

[@Hezekiah-dj3bm]

I meant mAY yall rest in peace

[@husseindawodu1048]

Tho Cindy Never Recorded On In And Out OF Love Nor Thou Swell It Was All Right Florence Voice Was On Both Tracks

[@elizabethdaniellesimaviggi3289]

BRaVa flo Mary Bettye Barbara Mary Cindy Jean Lynda susaye scherrie Pam Joyce Marlene Jacki louvain and Diane ❤

[@paulakelley6883]

Lucky Berry had a woman to teach them etiquette because Diana with her poppy eye movements was terrible. She stopped Diana from making those gestures and taught her how to move on stage and how to speak during interviews.

[@reggiewalker1641]

That’s Florence’s line

[@jeromehopson5404]

The Jean Mary and Cindy Era were second best to Diana Mary and Flo the supremes sans Ross were sabotsged

[@Hezekiah-dj3bm]

Flo was to much of a lady, to do like diana did sleeping around😢

[@Maatization]

Flo was sleepiing with the chauffeur what are you talking about? Mary was sleeping with a string of men at Motown except Berry who didn't want her.

[@stuartjenkins6673]

Faces Ross Pulls Are Annoying

[@elizabethdaniellesimaviggi3289]

BRAVA ‼️ FLO MARY CINDY JEAN DIANE SCHERRIE LYNDA BARBARA BETTYE PAM JOYCE DEBBI VALERIE LOUVAIN MARLENE JACKI ... AaaaaaàaaaaaaMEn ‼️ The SUooohPREMES FOREVAH❤

[@dwightpowell6673]

What's that stuff on her tongue?

[@MikeScott-ez7iw]

We see 🙈 history In the making here 3 black girls Detroit housing projects On the ed sollivan show Y'all All this judgemental b.s Enough allready Read a book 📚

[@jessicafashionlover2148]

Diana didn't like this song

[@LeeMorton-rq6bb]

The thing that ruined the performances for me on the Ed Sullivan Show was their lame and soulless House Band! SMH

[@Jasper7182009]

You don’t know what you’re talking about. The Ray Bloch orchestra was great. And you should listen to The Supremes live performance of “itching in my heart.” You are prejudiced. The Ray Bloch orchestra did great arrangements of the supreme songs and The Supremes performances live on Ed Sullivan were better than the recordings.

[@Jasper7182009]

And when the Supremes did standards, the Ray Bloch orchestra was fantastic! Don’t ever use that term “soulless” against old fashioned professional musicians.

[@theronedawson3236]

Keep in mind this was the 60s and we loved seeing our black performers showing diversity in singing.

[@LeeMorton-rq6bb]

@@Jasper7182009 That orchestra was Vanilla and Soulless! Where were the Funk Brothers who played on most of their records? Fk outta here! That orchestra ruined every song they played on! They were just as Vanilla as that Mediocre Singer who sings Pop Drivel geared towards teenage White Girls today? Taylor Swift!

[@dwightpowell6673]

​@@Jasper7182009Count Bassie was the best big band orchestra in the world....ask Frank Sinatra... that's not being prejudiced... just telling the truth.