On December 20 the glamorous Former Ladies of the Supremes will grace the stage at the Showcase Theater in San Rafael. They'll be singing old familiar favorites as they recreate both the final days, and the glory days, of what is perhaps the most famous girl group of all time.
Appearing on the bill are Scherrie Payne, who sang lead vocals for the group from 1973 until 1977. Her vocals can be heard on the final albums released by The Supremes, and she became known as "The Lady with the Big Voice."
Payne will be joined onstage by Lynda Laurence, also a former Supreme, and Joyce Vincent, who is best known as a former member of Tony Orlando and Dawn. The concert is being presented by Marin Jazz and the Marin Cultural Association.
Payne was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to chat with the Bay Area Reporter as the ladies prepared for their show in San Rafael.
David-Elijah Nahmod: The Supremes are a legend. How does it feel to have been part of such an iconic group?
Scherrie Payne: It's been overwhelming! I never believed that something that huge would become a central figure in my life. I'm honored, humbled, thrilled, overwhelmed, overjoyed. There aren't enough words to express my gratitude.
You performed with Mary Wilson as one of the Supremes? Please tell me your impressions of her and what it was like to work with her.
Mary was a stickler for getting things right. Besides singing and doing the right notes, get the right choreography steps, give the right impressions, always look the part. After all, the group had become iconic. We couldn't let the fans down or disappoint them. The Supremes were Mary's life and she took it very seriously as she should have. I always admired her for that.
Please tell me how you became a part of the Supremes in 1973.
It was all because of Lamont Dozier, part of the Motown hit songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland. Lamont had come to Los Angeles on a business trip and he ran into Mary Wilson at an event.
She informed him that Jean Terrell, who had replaced Diana Ross in the Supremes, had just left and that she was looking for another lead singer to take her place. At that time Lamont was my boyfriend, so naturally he told her about me. Mary called and after we chatted, she asked if I would send her pictures and recordings of mine. I did. I sent several photos and an album of Glass House, the group that I was a member was on the Invictus label.
Several days later, on a Thursday evening, my mother called and said that Mary Wilson had called and wanted me to please return her call ASAP. I was over at my best friend's house, Walter and Barbara Gaines, with Lamont at the time. Walter was a member of the Motown group The Originals.
They were so excited for me to speak with Mary. I called her and she said she loved the pictures and album. She then asked if I could come to Los Angeles. I asked "when?" and she said "Saturday, I've got your plane ticket waiting at the airport."
I was in shock. Reluctantly I said "okay." After I hung up Walter, Barb and Lamont were all over me with congratulations! I was numb.
Later that night when Lamont dropped me off at home and I told my mother what had transpired, I then told her I couldn't do it. What was I thinking? The Supremes? That was way to big! I was scared! But my mother, being the strong leader and motivator that she was, gave me a big pep talk and before I knew it, come Saturday morning I was on a flight to L.A.
Why did The Supremes disband?
Mary had married Pedro Ferrer and made him our manager, replacing Bill Loeb. It was Pedro's idea that Mary should go solo. Susaye Greene, the last Supreme, and I didn't agree but had no say-so. He had made up her mind for her.
What, in your opinion, is Mary Wilson's legacy?
Mary will always be remembered as the vivacious Supreme who gave 200% whenever onstage. She's a living legend and I'm so proud to have been a part of her history.
Please tell me how The Former Ladies of the Supremes came about?
The Former Ladies of the Supremes came about because of the late Ronnie Marlon Phillips. He was the father of my daughter Shoshana Payne Phillips. in 1986 he, along with two others, formed Superstar International Records. We were to use the acronym F.L.O.S. But so many fans kept referring to us as The Flos, after Florence Ballard.
Please tell me about the two ladies who will be joining you onstage at the Showcase Theater.
I'll be joined onstage by Lynda Laurence, former Supreme who joined in 1971, singing alongside of Jean Terrell. Lynda left the group at the same time Jean departed. She's an excellent singer and toured with Stevie Wonder and Joe Cocker prior to joining The Supremes.
I've known Joyce Vincent since 1968 when she sang backgrounds with her sister Pam at Invictus Records. Then she, along with Telma Hopkins, went on to become part of the original group of Tony Orlando and Dawn. Who knew back then that we would be singing together after all these years? She joined Lynda and me in 2009.
What can the audience expect at your December 20 show?
Wonderful music with a fantastic band! We'll have Supremes song for everyone to enjoy and bring back wonderful memories. There will also be a surprise from Joyce. We always want our audiences to have a great time with us. These Motown songs are American classics, and we are honored to perform them worldwide for enthusiastic audiences. Supremes fans are the best!
Former Ladies of the Supremes, December 20, 7pm, $75-$85, Showcase Theater, 20 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael.
www.marinarts.org
www.formersupremes.com
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