Remember watching this in May '67. The Happening was on the top of the charts. Flo sure kept up with Mary and Diana, even with the pressures. Gotta give them all credit for working hard and respecting their fans. Unique act.

Mary & Florence & Diana were a perfect blend of talent. The Supremes....

Flo was lovely.

Flo's last appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show... I love this performance!

@roberta.lofgrenjr.9182

5 жыл бұрын

@@HonSkrattar I agree with you 100%. they never had number 1 hits after Flo was gone. The end Love Child and Someday we'll be together which was not sung by Mary or Cindy.

@metropromise5915

5 жыл бұрын

Florence had so much charm and on-stage charisma, Mr. Gordy should've tried to hang on to her in the event Diana would soon leave. Florence would've been terrific in the 70s Supremes. A shame the way it all turned out.

@reealitychick

5 жыл бұрын

@@metropromise5915 I still cry--- and get so upset at the stupid selfish decisions that ruined so many and much of the City of Detroit...I never hear the great fan fare for BGordy or Diana to go back to the CITY... where it all began.. and that makes my heart even sadder..

This is the best. Please don't take this off - ever. These performances are part of our musical/entertainment history and can be learned from.

This is what separates The Supremes from the millions of female groups that come and go! Truly supreme!

Florence was so beautiful!! a Queen!!

Flo was the most beautiful of the three. I can't take my eyes off her.

For all that they are identified - and rightly so! - with the Motown Sound - THIS is where these girls truly shined. They were so at home and at ease with the show tunes of the day, and the standards of great ones like Rogers and Hart. WHAT an arrangement. This uptempo "Mame" has to be the best version ever of it.

To appear on Ed Sullivan is like reaching the mountain top and they were on the show multiple times. To see Flo Ballard on top of the world then reaching the low point collecting foodstamps and welfare is mind boggling

@lewiscarey6984

Жыл бұрын

Fame & Hollywood equals: ILLUSION!! Agree totally with your post! Was in grade 10, and heard that Flo has passed away! The class was stunned!! 💅💅💅

@malcolmmarshall5946

Жыл бұрын

Motown prez Berry Gordy gave Flo only $160,000 in severance pay after she was terminated.

RIP gorgeous Flo

As a kid I did not know this would be the LAST time I would ever see Florence on TV. I remember when this aired and for some reason even then felt that she wasn't keeping up too well with Mary and Diana. Now as I've grown much older and been reading lots of stuff on the girls Flo was really going through a lot at this time with BG and sick of Diana's tactics. In every group there's going to be issues it comes along with the territory. I still love all the ladies of the Supremes but my first loves will always be the original lineup, Diana, Mary and Florence.

@reealitychick

5 жыл бұрын

Many of us do Vincent --- Will ALWAYS be the original s--- Diana--- Mary --- Flo.

I am a big Flo fan this is grate keep it on here. thanks

I remember watching the show Sunday night back in 1967 when they appeared and did this number, they also did their current hit the The Happening, before they did this medley. Its wonderful to see it again. Unfortunately, this would be Flo's last appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, she didn't know it at the time though.

WOW! Super Talent!

Despite the personal turmoil that Florence Ballard was going through within her own personal life as well as her position at this time in Supremes, her professionalism on stage as demonstrated was natural and just as great as Diana's and Mary's stagecraft. RIP Flo.

Its amazing how much of a great performance they gave and how happy they seemed on stage. All the while the group was actually disintegrating. Flo would be fired shortly and this would be the last time we ever seen THE SUPREMES perform together ever. Damn Shame!

It's sad how you can't look at the Supremes without seeing a lot of negative comments.

@AlkalineInsides

3 ай бұрын

It’s exhausting

Want, a great performance , I never saw that show before I love it go my sister's nothing can tar my Supreme down yeah,!

The real Supremes Mary Diana and Florence ❤️

@ceeceetracey9839

3 жыл бұрын

Thank u

MAGIC!!!

THEY COULD DO IT ALL.

I never get tired of watching them perform 😍.

NO matter what all the post say about the Supreme s -- the original 3 were magical and they harmonized like angels in a heavenly choir.. Diana had the voice for the songs that made #1 hits but each of the Supreme s had a special gift of voice.. and should have been allowed to expand and share it with the world.. It was the same with the Ronettes BUT ONLY Ronnie got HONEST AND ADMITTED IT WAS WRONG THE WAY Spectre handled them-- Ronnie said she did not blame the girls for being hurt and distraught. She was sorry she allowed that to happen. Same w/Diana-- but Diana will not publically say it -- and she does not have to.

...and this is the stage where Flo was considered too fat?!?!?! Puhleeeease!

@AlkalineInsides

3 ай бұрын

But she’s also always messing up her dance steps. One thing I’ll give Cindy, is that she nailed her routines more than Flo did. Mary did say the dancing is something Flo wasn’t always completely comfortable with. And it always shows in performances unfortunately.

Thank you for uploading this and thank for you for leaving the little "talk" with Ed in it!

There used to be an upload of them singing "You Can't Hurry Love" and at the end you could see Diana actually running to get in front to great Ed first. She cuts in front of Flo, stretches out her arm and grabs Ed's hand. You could see Flo frown up. The upload is still on YT but the first part -where Diana cuts Flo off, has been edited out. Just like on the Motown special when they edited out her pushing Mary's hand down. I love Diana's voice but her behavior leaves much to be desired.

@reealitychick

5 жыл бұрын

Yes --- Diana was famous for that.. on many YT she has her bod all over the place.. the funniest one is where she takes the bows as if the audience is ONLY applauding her... This is the work of BGordy filling her head with such bull shit diva stances... SMH.. and worst of all ---- Ross believing and doing it!!!

@neilcook3401

Жыл бұрын

​@@reealitychick diana didn't do that here....mary did.

@AlkalineInsides

3 ай бұрын

They’re just weird and miserable, ignore. Mary literally just did what they accused Diana of doing, but somehow it’s alright here, because it’s Diana… so let’s bash her.

Diana Ross proves why she is Diana Ross ladies and gentlemen. Great performance!

@thomasdelvin3683

3 жыл бұрын

lip syncking. notice how diana's lips say have ( a thing that's new"but the audio says "GET

I don't ever leave comments but I must say I LOve your page please post more and don;t ever take these priceless historic videos down.

Awesome. Thanks for posting such a clear version of this number.

This was Florence last apperence on the ed Sullivan show and just a little key note that I read in mary Wilson book is that in this aperence all of them was wearing wigs except Florence she wore her real hair because she felt as if she was tired of the charade of being this group that sing "standards" and she also seen her hair as the flappers 20s look.

@augustofernandes9669

10 жыл бұрын

True, but in my opinion, Florence would have been much better if he used long wigs or let the hair grow like this photo facebook.com/172652742773627/photos/a.249503168421917.62431.172652742773627/673466202692276/?type=3&theater

@jervarriocurenton7426

10 жыл бұрын

agreed I think she wanted to just be rebellious but I def. think that the longer wigs looked better on Florence

@classanddignity

8 жыл бұрын

@Darius Wilder Berry OBVIOUSLY KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING! The Supremes outsold every group in the 60’s to rival Elvis & the Beatles, due to Diana’s lead voice & her willingness to follow orders. Flo had a bad attitude and was a hell-raiser and did not even want to sing those plush Hollywood standards. Berry had a business to run and did it well. He was the reason, not Diana Ross. The same reason why Mary was not the lead after Diana left, because Berry felt she did not have the talent too for his vision.

@blogshagify

7 жыл бұрын

classanddignity, 70 s Supremes were a hot mess after Jean left, just awful..

@ronaldlawrence2229

5 жыл бұрын

look closer....Florence is wearing a "short" wig, but it's still a wig. You can tell when you look in the side part.

Mary says Florence hated doing these medleys and that they were too Hollywood for her. In fact in retaliation against this move, Flo didn't wear a wig for this performance. So what we're seeing here is Florence wearing her natural hair.

@reealitychick

5 жыл бұрын

bull sugar--- It was that Flo has a time to keep the rythmn --(( she was shy))) but she did it well.. and Flo LOVED the whole experience... it was just a way--- not a hated way---- come on"" Flo loved the Supreme live...

@lorenzacoleman9210

4 жыл бұрын

She wore her natural hair to the end. It looks great.

@ceeceetracey9839

3 жыл бұрын

Flo wore her natural hair in retaliation for having to sing show tunes? THey sang show tunes damn near from day one.

@ceeceetracey9839

3 жыл бұрын

Flo is stunning with the short hair. Probably her best look during her whole time with the Supremes.

@TheInsaneBEAST1

3 жыл бұрын

@@ceeceetracey9839 it was moreso not wearing the wigs anymore. This was her last TV performance before Cindy replaced her

I have been waiting FOREVER for a good video of this . . . this made my day . . . thanks so much for ALL your recent uploads of Diana & The Supremes . . .

Where is Flo's fat? I don't see it.

@shmuli9

4 жыл бұрын

I don't see it, either, but I suppose in the late 60's, she would be thought of as "Ruebenesque".

@andrewthornhill7042

4 жыл бұрын

Maverick 260 She wasn't 'fat' per se, just a tall, well-built woman who was (according to sources) a little out of condition due to her alcohol consumption (which was brought on by the continued frustration of having to deal with the people who called her 'fat'). Next to the eternally svelte Mary and the anorexic Diana, Flo suffered by comparison.

@shmuli9

4 жыл бұрын

Florence wasn't fat (in fact the "average" woman in the mid 1960s was Size 14, but compared to skinny-minnie Diana Ross, she would seem "overweight". (My dad used to refer as such phenomena as "Popsicle illusions"). And she just towered over Mary.

A lot my not know but this was broadcast from Expo '67 live from Montreal.

This Performance proved that Florence, could have fit in with the later segments The Supremes did in the late 60s

@andrewthornhill7042

4 жыл бұрын

Hoopz Neal No matter how Flo LOOKED at this point, she'd gotten up Berry Gordy's nose by not deferring to him and he wanted her OUT. Once Cindy's contractual obligations with the Bluebelles were worked out, Blondie was history. It was all behavioural, two strong personalities throwing sparks off of each other to nobody's benefit. It was all a big shame.

@thomasdelvin3683

3 жыл бұрын

flo could have never kept up with the dance routines that cindy mastered

To think that Berry Gordy Jr. was reluctant to sign these GIRLS to a Motown contract. Look how that turned out!! Audiences response sums it up!!! Truly SUPREME!!! 🤪🤪🤪

the TEN #1 records from 1964-1967 said "THE SUPREMES" not DIANA ROSS center or whatever! they still The Supremes in 2016.

@classanddignity

8 жыл бұрын

@supremes ballard Yet, neither FLO nor MARY was ON every Supremes’ recording during that time. However, Diana Ross was on EVERY RECORDING FROM THAT TIME PERIOD in a LEAD CAPACITY that MADE THOSE HITS WITH HER VOICE ON EACH ONE. The Supremes or Diana Ross & the Supremes always EQUALED ONE STAR.

@supremes1964

8 жыл бұрын

yes yet the TEN #1's have the SUPREMES group name not DIANA ROSS.....maybe as far away plant PLUTO know that's DIANA lead with Mary and Flo back-up! LOVE THEM 3.....esp Flo! she looks amazing!!!

@classanddignity

8 жыл бұрын

Just because Motown assigned all the hits that ONLY DIANA ROSS WAS ON the recording to the group’s name, before and after Flo left, does not make the background singers the AUTHENTIC AUTHORS of that work, as they did not create it. They are taking credit for her work because she is in a group. Yet, her LEAD VOICE IS THE KEY THAT MADE each of THOSE HITS, despite the name!

@supremes1964

8 жыл бұрын

you cant deny the ten #1's have the Supremes name on them....not Diana, Mary, and surely NOT Florence own any recordings. Holland Dozer Hollland Gordy Motown now Universe known those songs!

@blogshagify

7 жыл бұрын

supremes ballard , Who the fuck cares? You do know she was doing most of the lead singing before the name change, right?

Agree!

OMG I love you so much . God bless you. I want kiss you right now. OMG IT'S BEEN A WHILE THAT I WANTED TO SEE ITTTTTTTTTTT !

Diana’s so gorgeous!

The medley consists of three songs that bare the individual names of three women, so...wouldn't it have made sense IF they would have shared the leads? Diana the first part, as "Millie", Mary done the second part as "Rose" and Flo would have KILLED IT ending the medley as "Mame"!!!!?????

Flo was so pretty.

wow never seen this before. this is now my second favorite supremes performance on the Sullivan show. You Can't Hurry Love is #1.

A lot of the time the microphones were suspended above them

Gaaad, what must it have been like to have their work schedule?

classic

Florence Ballard seems uncomfortable doing this number. By the way, if Diana Ross identified each member with one of the song characters the solo lines of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" should have been sung by Ballard, with Mary Wilson doing the same in "Second Hand Rose", and Ross, "Mame" and the final part with the medley of the three songs.

@JSOMERSETJSOMERSET

6 жыл бұрын

Edgar Soberón Torchia on tv decades channel Sullivan show 11 pm eastern time nov 14

@quality333

5 жыл бұрын

reminds me of Tupac appearing on some show i think it was sat night live with another rapper singing you gotta have heart .Flo expectations when she started the Supremes was sounding like Aretha soul or Arlene Smith from Chantels anything but this Julie Andrews nonsense

What month did they sing The Happening? These wigs were worn for the song The Happening. Mary's wig not sure if that is the same one worn. Florence and Diana are wearing the same wigs they used when singing the happening and the gowns were long and yellow chiffon gowns. yellow and gold color silk chiffon. Did Florence quit and group or was she fired? Mary Wilson said she quit the group. I heard Florence was fired by berry gordy jr.

Diana is a legend mentioned in the same breath and Frank Sinatra and Barbara S. look at her no one had seen anything like her

Mary Wilson said that Flo hated these types of performances. She wanted to do more soulful songs, but this was work and that meant making money.

@blogshagify

7 жыл бұрын

Arletha Lewis , Honestly I thought flow was quite shallow and sophisticated.

@quality333

5 жыл бұрын

unfortunately the great R&B sound never cut it in the white world and pop world Thourougly modern millie sound did Go figure

@reealitychick

5 жыл бұрын

@@blogshagify NO___ just a figure of speech--- like I just hate it when they all look at me--- ((lol)) just a figure of talk--- but in reality -- I love it... get it!!!!

Variety shows were great back then. Not like the crap we have out now. Back then it was pure talent.... now we have to put up with boil in the bag talent 😬

the cameras didnt show what looks as if the audience stood up for them.

They just did The Happening right before this. I thought I'd read that this was live from Montreal at Expo 67. Funny Ed says they'll sing a medley of hits when it's just show tunes.

@blogshagify

7 жыл бұрын

Sixtiesfreak. Ed was weird, probably had Alzheimers

@robaustin2594

5 жыл бұрын

they were hits current Broadway hits

Show respect. Don't say that about her.

Ross was such a hog when it came to sharing the vocals and the stage. RIP FLO & MARY

@ceeceetracey9839

3 жыл бұрын

Facts. And she would run to the host of the show so the others wouldnt get to him/her first

Irresistible Diana Ross and The Supremes.

@ronaldlawrence2229

5 жыл бұрын

Correction: The SUPREMES.

No Flo is not fat here. She was never really FAT. She had gained weight so she was too fat for her costumes. This show is after the incident when she acted out and pushed her belly out in her midrift outfit on stage. This is after a little while and Flo was on better behavior. She obviously slimmed down. She looks good; never looked bad' just grew out of her costumes. Mary has said; Diana was a 3. She was a 5 and Florence was a 7 initally. Florence eventually became a 12; according to her own interview here on YT. So, she did gain weight. If you look at the early vids of Cindy ; she was hippy and closer to Flo's size before these last few months in the group with Florence.

@blogshagify

7 жыл бұрын

miss birdsong , Call it whatver you want. big boned hippy, robust, large.. It's ugly and its fat, ok?

@augustofernandes9669

7 жыл бұрын

miss birdsong She was a size 12 (that is not a bad size, but it isn't all that good either) BUT BEING A 5'7 TALL. So for her body, it was perfect!!

@Slaychelle

7 жыл бұрын

Augusto Fernandes it was! I think Flo looked best during 66-68. Case in point the 1966 Hollywood Palace performance

@ronaldlawrence2229

5 жыл бұрын

Ironic huh? Flo was too heavy but Cindy wasn't? I think there was more to it.

A SUPREME performance! It's a shame Florence threw away the opportunity of a lifetime with no real backup plan. If she really thought she had as much going on a DIANA she should have stayed in the group and proved it. LAW: "Pride goth before a fall." Mary wasn't crazy about what was happening but she knew what side her bread was buttered on, and played to win. Today she is a respected "original" member of the legendary group who still sets the bar for other female acts; in addition she is also an accomplished solo performer in her own right. She continues to tour the world carrying the torch for the Motown Legends. Diana will always be the "First Lady of the Supremes;" Mary the "Quintessential Supreme," and Florence unfortunately, the "Tragic Supreme." Their "rags-to-riches" narrative is classic story-telling at it's finest! Long live the SUPREMES!

@reealitychick

5 жыл бұрын

RONALD----- FLO was fired idiot... she did NOT want to leave the group--- BGordy forced her... read and learn the truth... Flo cried so many times that she was not in the group anymore..

@reealitychick

5 жыл бұрын

@Damo Trent So Wrong all way Round-- and many of us know that!! TRUTH -- always rises out and will never disappear. Get a grip and quit your silly bull shitting on what is good. The Original Supreme s will always reign #1 in our hearts.

@ronaldlawrence2229

4 жыл бұрын

@realitychick - What was HER part in being "fired?" I understand she had "issues" and it's unfortunate that we weren't into mental health the way we are now. FLO did things to get fired, Berry didn't just say, "Hey, I don't have anything better to do than shake up my biggest selling group, let me fire somebody." I have a right without being an "idiot" to state my opinion and you have a right to feel what you feel without resorting to name calling -it's not healthy. Grow up.

@ronaldlawrence2229

4 жыл бұрын

Bottom Line...it was a BIG business and she had small vision for herself and her life.

@MizuFusion

3 жыл бұрын

Flo got the group together so to say that Diane is the first lady of The Supremes is just ignorant tbh.

only the four tops could do the standards. the supremes should've just focused on the great soul numbers like MOTHER DEAR etc.

@shmuli9

8 жыл бұрын

+Ian Wysor Oh, I think the Supremes could do "standards" quite well.

@blogshagify

7 жыл бұрын

Ian Wysor You are so out of touch. Supremes excelled at this material. The Four Who??? Did they ever record this kind of material?

@MrLevistubbs

7 жыл бұрын

The Four Tops On Broadway album, Breaking Through album released in 1999. Plus scattered on various other albums.

DIANA ROSS RULED

Florence and Mary the voices of the Supremes? Sorry but Diana Ross remains the Voice of the Supremes and there is no amount of fairytale or change of history that is gonna change that. Diana Ross carried that group to the top.

@kurtsupreme

10 жыл бұрын

Obviously, you weren't there (just like most of the silly "Ross as a solo act" fans! Diane was the centerpiece on the "table." Collectively, THE SUPREMES were the "banquet!!!" That's what you people just don't get!

@davidmoody84

10 жыл бұрын

Only idiots like you believe that shit, but I'm a realist and the reality was Diana outgrew the Supremes just like any star in a group that moves on. The problem idiots like you have is the fact that Diana Ross excelled even more after she left the Supremes in 1970. Starting with winning the 1970 NACCP Image Award and Female Entertainer of the year for 1970. Like I said Diana Ross has 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She also has a BET Walk of Fame Plaque, A Kennedy Centers Honor Award, A BET Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Oh yea she also has a Golden Globe and Tony Award for good measure. All those Awards have Diana Ross all over them. Diana Ross was way more than just being a Supremes, it's too bad you Can't say that about the other group members who did nothing in the Music business after Scary Mary Wilson ran them into the ground.

@augustofernandes9669

10 жыл бұрын

No, anyone who knows the history of Florence and the Supremes, who know how much she suffered. Ok, Diana made ​​the group is n. 1, but who said Florence or even Mary could not have done it too? you are not realistic, you are ignorant, and not mature enough to see the truth, Diana Ross was sassy, wanted to be the center of attention, maybe Florence is wrong for drinking, and having feelings of envy by Diana for being the leader but Diana Ross could continue in poverty were it not for Florence and Mary, and we all know it is considered that Mary was fashion, Diana had the spotlight, but Florence had the talent, and that talent has continued until early 1976, but in the hearts of those who know that she deserved to live more.

@kurtsupreme

10 жыл бұрын

David Moody Oh, all those awards were bought and paid for...........what's wrong with you? Everyone knows that The Supremes were just a better act than Diane ever was as a solo performer. What has she ever done that surpassed the flash in the sky that the SUPREMES made in the 1960's. Other than maintaining a solo act for 40 years, there isn't any one thing that surpassed THE SUPREMES! They remain the # 1 most successful American vocal group in history, Yeah, Diane made 3 movies (one was decent, the other 2 were questionable) and she had a concert in Central Park (big Deal)! None of that surpassed THE SUPREMES! They had 12 number one records in 5 years and were the Sweethearts of the 1960's which was quite a feat in that remarkable musical decade.

@roberta.lofgrenjr.4500

10 жыл бұрын

like hell she did. they rose to stardom as 3 girls not one. And she sang live aweful!!!!

That's Cindy Birdsong

@iluvrachellef

5 жыл бұрын

UH NO GENIUS.

@metropromise5915

5 жыл бұрын

TheeRKLJ No my friend, that is Florence.

Sorry kids! This is why Diana Ross became the icon she is today! She's a natural on a Broadway stage and totally dazzles a television audience. The whining about antics are mere jealousy. Deal with it....she worked hard at being the mega-star she is today!

@betsyhennington7053

6 жыл бұрын

Bochanable not always what you do but how you do it. She treated the other crowd member poorly.

@Bochanable

5 жыл бұрын

Betsy Hennington sorry, good try. She never looked right or left and definitely not behind. So if you the type to stand with the others complaining, where has that gotten you in life. Life isn’t easy and it certainly isn’t the so-called meek. She remains an inspiration. Oprah is hardly a loser or pushover. Where do you fit in the spectrum?

@Bochanable

5 жыл бұрын

Ken Zeleny Streisand could never do what Diana did either. There’s room for both. All white scratch that most white people think everyone wants to be white. Considering what the white race has done throughout history, I’m very proud of my color and so is she.

@roberta.lofgrenjr.9182

5 жыл бұрын

@Ken Zeleny Diane will never be Striesand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Connie Francis. The list can go on and on.

@roberta.lofgrenjr.9182

5 жыл бұрын

@@Bochanable If you ever run into Ryan O' Neal who dated Diane, ask him what she thought about being black? He will tell you Diane wanted to be white.