MARY WILSON, CO-FOUNDER OF THE SUPREMES, DIES AT 76
Mary Wilson, the legendary singer and founding member of iconic Motown group the Supremes died suddenly at her Nevada home on Monday at the age of 76, her publicist Jay Schwartz confirmed.
Mary Wilson was a “trendsetter who broke down social, racial, and gender barriers,” Schwartz said in his statement.
She began her career in Detroit in 1959 as a singer in what was then called “The Primettes.” They went on to become “The Supremes,” Motown’s most successful group of the 1960s- which also included lead singer Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, and released hit songs such as “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” and “Stop! In the name of Love.”
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“Their influence not only carries on in contemporary R&B, soul and pop, they also helped pave the way for mainstream success by Black artists across all genres,” the statement said.
In 2018, Billboard celebrated the 60th anniversary of Motown with a list of “The Hot 100’s Top Artists of All Time,” and listed The Supremes at number 16, according to the statement.
Mary Wilson’s legacy went beyond singing, Schwartz noted. She became a bestselling author, motivational speaker, businesswoman, and US Cultural Ambassador, he said.
“Wilson used her fame and flair to promote a diversity of humanitarian efforts including ending hunger, raising HIV/AIDS awareness and encouraging world peace,” the publicist said.
Wilson was also instrumental in passing the Music Modernization Act (MMA) in 2018, which aimed to modernize copyright-related issues for new music and audio recordings in the face of new technology like digital streaming which did not protect music recorded before February 15, 1972, the statement said.
Wilson remained in the public eye as late as 2019, appearing on Dancing With the Stars and releasing her fourth book, Supreme Glamour.
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According to Schwartz, funeral services will be private due to Covid-19 restrictions and protocols, but there will be a public memorial later this year.
She is survived by her daughter, son, several grandchildren, a sister and a brother.
Artists and fans from around the world are paying tribute to her life and work. May her soul rest in peace!!!
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