Mary Wilson, one of the founding members of the singing group The Supremes, has died. The 76-year-old was known for more than just her pipes, however. Here are some things you might not know.

Wilson died suddenly on Monday night at her home in Las Vegas. Along with Diana Ross and the late Florence Ballard, she was among the original founders and the longest tenured member, staying on through the Motown band's disbandment in 1977.

“She was quite a star in her own right and over the years continued to work hard to boost the legacy of the Supremes. Mary Wilson was extremely special to me,” Motown founder Berry Gordy said in a statement. “She was a trailblazer, a diva and will be deeply missed.”

The Primettes

The band wasn’t always called The Supremes. Formed in Detroit when Wilson was just 15, alongside Ross, Ballard and Betty McGlown, The Primettes signed with Motown in 1961.

Known in the Detroit area simply as “the Girls,” the Motown executives eventually landed on the name of The Supremes, which eventually found widespread success as a trio after McGlown left the band.

The Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

New Album

Just two days ago, Wilson took to her YouTube channel to comment on Black History Month and announce plans for a new record, which would include material from an unreleased album “Red Hot” from the 1970s.

“Hopefully some of that will be out on my birthday, March 6,” she said in the video.

She could cut a rug

Wilson last year was a contestant on the popular variety show, “Dancing With the Stars” and she strutted her stuff in this fox trot alongside dancing partner Brandon Armstrong.

She was the first celebrity eliminated that season, however.

“Everyone on the show ended up really being very good,” she told US magazine last year. “Someone had to go. Unfortunately, it had to me! But that’s OK. I got lots to do.”

“The Girls” didn’t necessarily get along.

Variety magazine recounts a testy relationship with Ross in Wilson’s 1986 memoir, “Dreamgirl: My Life As a Supreme.” In one account, Ross gives Wilson a curt shove during the taping of a 25th anniversary special for Motown in 1983.

“She has done many things to hurt, humiliate, and upset me, but, strangely enough, I still love her and am proud of her,” Wilson’s account read.

Fan base

Wilson, not shy when it came to exposure, crossed the musical divide to reach fans in genres you might not expect. Paul Stanley, a founder of the hard-rock band KISS, was among the first to pay tribute.

“OMG! Mary Wilson of the Supremes has died suddenly,” he said from his Twitter account. “I was just on a Zoom call with her Wednesday for about an hour & never could have imagined this. So full of life & great stories. Absolutely shocked. Rest In Supreme Peace Mary.”

No cause of death was given. Jay Schwartz, her publicist, told Variety that funeral services would be private because of the pandemic, though a public memorial is in the works.

Mary Wilson, a founding member of The Supremes, has died at the age of 76.
Mary Wilson, a founding member of The Supremes, has died at the age of 76. marywilson.com
RELATED STORIES