“She was a beautiful person, loving and warm...She was down-to-earth, she loved to laugh, and everyone loved her.” - Marvin Gaye, on fellow Motown star and original Supreme Florence Ballard

This week, the Dolls Pod presents the true story behind the Tony-winning musical “Dreamgirls,” and the very real woman that was its muse. Both Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer Hudson won Academy awards for their portrayals of Effie White, based on the fiery founder of the Supremes. Florence Ballard sang on 16 of their top 40 hits, and 9 of their number ones. But she did not have the happy ending Effie gets in “Dreamgirls.” She’s often called “the Lost Supreme,” as she was virtually erased from the group’s history. But as this episode will show you, Flo Ballard was anything but “just a backup singer.” She was brave in the face of hardship and a true trailblazer; the soul of Motown’s first girl group. “Florence Ballard: The Real Effie White” is available wherever you stream your podcasts 🎤

(Episode starts at 4:50)

Sources used for this episode:

Peter Benjaminson, “The Lost Supreme: The Life of Dreamgirl Florence Ballard” (2009)

Nelson George, “Where Did Our Love Go? The Rise and Fall of the Motown Sound” (2007 ed.)

Randall Wilson, “Forever Faithful: A Study of Florence Ballard and the Supremes” (1987)

Mary Wilson, “Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme” (1986)

Maxine Ballard Jenkins, “The True Story of Florence Ballard” (2007)

“Unsung” season 2 episode 4, “Florence Ballard” (6/28/2009)

“Mary Wilson Gets Emotional Remembering Florence Ballard” via SiriusXM on YouTube, 9/24/2019

Songs used in this episode:

Jennifer Hudson - “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” (From the soundtrack of “Dreamgirls”) [2006]

Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers - “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” (1956)

Ray Charles - “The Right Time” (1958)

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - “Shop Around” (1960)

The Primettes - “Tears of Sorrow” (1961)

The Supremes - “Buttered Popcorn” (1962)

The Marvelettes - “Please Mr. Postman” (1961)

The Contours - “Do You Love Me” (1962)

Mary Wells - “You Beat Me To The Punch” (1962)

The Supremes - “When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes” (1963)

The Supremes - “Where Did Our Love Go?” (1964)

The Supremes - “Baby Love” (1964)

The Beatles - “Money (That’s What I Want)” (1964)

The Supremes - “Stop! In The Name of Love” (1965)

The Supremes - “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” (1966)

Vanilla Fudge - “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” (1967)

The Supremes - “Ain’t That Good News” (1965)

The Supremes - “People” (1967)

Scott McKenzie - “San Fransisco” (1967)

Florence Ballard - “It Doesn’t Matter How I Say It” (1968)

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine, and Jennifer Holliday - “Dreamgirls” (From the original Broadway cast recording of “Dreamgirls”) (1982)

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