R.I.P. Mary Wilson, 76, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Motown Legend and Co-Founder of the Supremes (VIDEO)

by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (@lakinhutcherson)

It certainly was unwelcome news to wake up to this morning – the news that singing legend Mary Wilson had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at her home in Las Vegas at 76, news that has been confirmed by her manager.

As an original member of the Supremes, Wilson, along with Florence Ballard and Diana Ross, made history as pop and R&B chart toppers with classic songs like “Where Did Our Love Go?” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” and “Someday We’ll Be Together.”

Although the Supremes line-up changed multiple times over the years, Mary Wilson remained its one steadfast member and continued to perform with the group over the decades, even as she offered music as a solo singer.

Above is an incredible clip of Wilson taking lead vocals on  the Supremes cover of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” at the Hollywood Palace in 1969.

In 1986, Wilson wrote the New York Times bestseller Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme and in 2019 offered Supreme Glamour, a retrospective on the group and their iconic costumes and ensembles, its forward written by Whoopi Goldberg.

Recently Wilson was a celebrity contestant on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and was planning to release a new album later this year.

To learn more about Mary Wilson’s life, career and music, click below:

https://www.npr.org/2021/02/09/965713448/mary-wilson-founding-member-of-the-supremes-dies-at-76

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-02-09/diana-ross-reacts-to-death-of-mary-wilson-supremes

Good Black News hopes to offer a tribute playlist to Wilson later in the week.

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