The Supremes Finally Hit #1

1964

After three years without a big hit, The Supremes' "Where Did Our Love Go" hits #1 in the US, the first of five consecutive chart-toppers.

The group, originally four members, signed to Motown Records in 1961. Over the next few years, they released several singles that barely charted or didn't chart at all. Outrivaled by labelmates The Marvelettes and Martha & The Vandellas, they earned the derisive nickname "No-hit Supremes" around the offices. But label boss Berry Gordy refused to give up on the group, which by 1962 was the trio of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard. He put them on the Motown Revue package tour and gave them access to the best songwriters and producers he had to offer. This included the team of Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland, who wrote "Where Did Our Love Go." They were hoping The Marvelettes would record it, but lead singer Gladys Horton turned it down, so they had to settle for The Supremes, who weren't keen on the song either, but in no position to turn it down. With Ross on lead (as usual), Wilson and Ballard were relegated to the repetitive "baby, baby" backing vocals. It's not a lightweight love song - the singer has a burning love that hurts so bad and stings like a bee - so the lead vocal was crucial. Ross wasn't happy about recording the song and made that clear at the session, threatening to call her Berry Gordy to voice her displeasure. The producers responded by telling her to go ahead and call him, but if she did, they'd never work with her again. An angry Ross put down the track, giving them exactly what they were looking for - a soft, coy, but biting take in her unique style. Released in June, the song took off just as The Supremes headed out on Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars tour, billed at the bottom below The Rip Chords, The Crystals, and several other acts. When the tour ended in July, "Where Did Our Love Go" was climbing the chart, giving them their breakthrough hit and establishing a signature sound with lots of "baby"s. A month later, it's at #1, where it stays for two weeks. Their next four singles all reach the top spot: "Baby Love" "Come See About Me" "Stop! In the Name of Love" "Back in My Arms Again" The Supremes land seven more #1 hits, for a total of 12; Diana Ross launches a successful solo career, becoming one of the top artists of the '80s. In 1988, they become the first girl group inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.