Oct 22nd in Pop History

On this day, October 22nd, in… 

• 1966 - The Supremes become the first girl group with a # 1 album in the US when The Supremes A Go-Go bumps the Beatles’ Revolver from the top spot. 

The Supremes A' Go-Go is the ninth studio album released by Motown singing group The Supremes. The album remained on the Billboard chart for 60 weeks, going on to sell 3.5 million copies around the world, including one million in the U.S. It also went to # 15 on the U.K. album charts, with the single You Can’t Hurry Love topping the US charts, and peaking at # 3 in the UK (Per: best classic bands.com). Sixteen years later, You Can’t Hurry Love would become a number-one hit again when Phil Collins re-recorded the song.

The Supremes were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and the most successful American vocal group ever with 12 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, and total sales exceeding 100 million records.At their peak in the mid-1960s, The Supremes rivaled The Beatles in worldwide popularity. It is said that their breakthrough made it possible for future African American R&B and soul musicians to find mainstream success. Billboard ranked The Supremes as the 16th greatest Hot 100 artist of all time. 

Mary Wilson, one of the founding members of The Supremes, died at her home in Henderson, Nevada this past February 8 (2021). She was 76 years old. Wilson died in her sleep reportedly from a heart condition. 

Mary Wilson

Motown founder Berry Gordy said he was "extremely shocked and saddened" by the news of her death and said Wilson was "quite a star in her own right and over the years continued to work hard to boost the legacy of the Supremes." Diana Ross reflected on Wilson's death, posting on Twitter: "I am reminded that each day is a gift. I have so many wonderful memories of our time together. 'The Supremes' will live on in our hearts." 

Florence Ballard (the other member of the trio besides Diana Ross) struggled In the 1970s with alcoholism and depression for several years. She was making an attempt at a musical comeback when she died of a heart attack in 1976 at the age of 32.

Florence Ballard

By 1965 The Supremes had made history by achieving five consecutive number one hits and helped make Motown the most successful African American-owned enterprise in the US. 

The trio had a profound influence on culture; their simple dance moves lent them an air of sophistication that gave them the ability to influence society the way they did. They will always remain one of the iconic influences on pop music and pop history. 

Here is My Playlist of The Supremes on Spotify

Check out the full video of their performance of You Can’t Hurry Love live on The Ed Sullivan Show: 

Also, on this day, October 22nd, in:  

• 1961 - Chubby Checker appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and performed The Twist

• 1965 - The Beatles' Yesterday is the # 1 song in the US, while The Rolling Stones’ have  I Can’t Get No Satisfaction at # 10

Also, on this day in… 

• 1988 - The # 1 hit in America is a cover of a song from 1966: A Groovy Kind of Love by Phil Collins

• 1999 - The Temptations earn their first platinum record when their 56th album Phoenix Rising sells its millionth copy