Music
Jean Terrell
born 1944 · singer
Singer chosen by Berry Gordy to replace Diana Ross as lead of the Supremes in 1970, fronting "Stoned Love", "Up the Ladder to the Roof" and "Floy Joy".
- Born
Belzoni, Mississippi
age 81- Birth name
- Velma Jean Terrell
- Detroit years
- 1969–1972
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Terrell was born in Mississippi and raised in Chicago, where her family moved for factory work, and sang with her brother, heavyweight boxer Ernie Terrell, in his group the Knockouts. Berry Gordy heard her in a Miami club in 1969, signed her to Motown and, instead of launching her solo, picked her to succeed Diana Ross in the Supremes; the change was announced that year and took effect in January 1970. With Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong she led the group through a strong run at the end of Motown's Detroit era: "Up the Ladder to the Roof", "Stoned Love", "Nathan Jones", "Floy Joy" and duets with the Four Tops such as "River Deep – Mountain High". Frustrated by what the singers saw as weak promotion after the company moved west, she left in 1973. She later recorded for A&M and, from 1986, sang in the Former Ladies of the Supremes.
Highlights
- Lead singer of the Supremes 1970–1973
- Sang lead on "Stoned Love" and "Up the Ladder to the Roof" (1970)
- Recorded three albums with the Supremes and the Four Tops
- Co-founded the Former Ladies of the Supremes (1986)