![]() Throughout the drama, Motown maintained that Ballard was retiring because of the strain of constant touring. Unhappy with her diminishing role in the Supremes, she repeatedly complained to Gordy and his executives, and resulting friction led to her being ousted from the group in 1967. After Ross was made lead, Ballard was allowed few opportunities to take the limelight, either on record or in contract. ![]() She performed on 16 of the group's 40 singles, including ten number one hits. Over the next four years, the Supremes became the toast of show business, appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" 20 times, headlining top night clubs and starring in their own top-rated TV specials. As the group's acknowledged leader, she was the featured vocalist on their early Motown singles, but label owner Berry Gordy insisted that Ross become the lead singer in 1963. ![]() The following year, in January of 1961, the Primettes were signed by Motown Records, who re-named them the Supremes, thus her singing career began. Diana Ross completed the line-up in 1960. After being rejected by Motown on their first audition, the Primettes recorded briefly for Lu Pine Records. Travis was replaced by Barbara Martin in 1960 and Martin left the group in 1962. In her teens, Ballard formed the vocal group the Primettes with school friends Mary Wilson and Betty Travis, who later left the group. Born Florence Glenda Ballard, the eighth of thirteen children, her childhood home was in Brewster Housing Project, a public housing project in Detroit, Michigan. She received fame as a founding member of one of America's successful female vocal groups of all time, the Supremes.
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