My Run-In With A Truly 'Supreme' Diva

I had the honor of chatting with Motown legend, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, when she visited my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, to perform with a group of amazing local musicians, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra.

After the show, Wilson graciously signed autographs and posed for photos with fans and admirers, myself included. As I told her, she is a "Supreme" diva in the best sense of the word.

Prior to this photo on Sept. 19, 2014, I interviewed Mary Wilson
 nearly 20 years ago at the opening of the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
(Photo Courtesy of Suzan Bradford, The Lincoln Theatre) 

The concert was held at the historic Lincoln Theatre in the King-Lincoln District, which is known as the "Cradle of Jazz" because so many jazz greats originated there, including central Ohio natives Nancy Wilson (no relation to Mary) and legendary saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

Here's an overview of Wilson's performance with the jazz orchestra:

Wilson noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Supremes’ first hit record. 

“I’m so glad our music has been able to inspire people all over the world,” she said.

Throughout the show, Wilson exhibited a strong stage presence and showmanship that has enabled her to enjoy five decades as an entertainer. In between songs, she bantered with the audience, sharing funny stories and explaining why certain songs have a meaning to her.

She related that she is well aware that the musical "Dreamgirls” is based on the Supremes. Wilson also shared that she decided to name her autobiography after the show when she first saw it on Broadway.

 

Mary Wilson graciously signed autographs and
posed for photos with fans after the show.

 

“We certainly thought we were dreamgirls,” Wilson said, referring to the original Supremes lineup that also included Florence Ballard and Diana Ross.

Wilson performed a moving tribute to the late Ballard, singing “I Am Changing” from “Dreamgirls.” While Wilson and Ross have not always seen eye to eye, Wilson made very gracious comments about her former bandmate during her appearance with the jazz orchestra.

“Diane did such a great job on lead vocals with our songs,” Wilson said.

She joked about primarily being known as a backup singer in the Supremes: “I ooh’d and aah’d my way to the bank for 50 years.”

(My full-length concert review is in the Oct. 1, 2014, edition of the Call and Post, Ohio's oldest and largest African-American newspaper, http://callandpost.com/.)