Est. 1998
Mary Wilson Remembers
Mary Wilson was the founding member of the most famous girl group in the world, The Supremes. Currently on a United Kingdom tour, she plays Cardiff next week, and describes her show on three settings; “It starts mild, gets wild and then hits really wild,”
After a career at the top, Mary remembers many of the Motown stars she worked with, and the joy and success of the classics performed by The Supremes. She speaks of the happiness of the audience, who she hopes will dance and sing along with her through her show.
“We were very aware of the tremendous amount of talent there was at Motown, at that time. When we started out we never thought we’d be famous, that we’d have so much success and be inducted into the ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame,’ ” she adds. “It was truly something special,” she admits. “We were very young but so excited at the possibilities.”
Motown is responsible for one of music’s most enduring legacies, but as the years pass, so do the people – something which Mary confesses is such a sad situation.
“We’re losing so many people, so many of my friends,” she whispers quietly. The most high-profile loss from Motown’s glittering roll call of honour was, of course, the death of Michael in June 2009, aged just fifty.
“We, (The Supremes) hosted our own TV show and we introduced the world to the Jackson Five. Michael was so young then, but so talented,” Wilson recalls. “Ironically, the night Michael died, many of the original Motown artistes had gathered in London, at Wembley Arena, to play a Motown 50th Anniversary concert. The Miracles, Martha (Reeves) and The Temptations were there. We were all together and united in our grief.”
Mary Wilson plus special guests The Chi-Lites, perform at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, on Thursday. The box office numbers is 029 2087 8444 or, please click here.
Source: Wales Online & MJWN
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