The Supremes ~ Stoned Love 1970 Disco Purrfection Version

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, the end of an era and the start of another. The final single billed to Diana Ross & The Supremes, "Someday We'll be Together", was effectively her first solo single since Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong were not in the studio when it was recorded. Those backing vocals were handled by singing sisters Maxine and Julia Waters. The Supremes were the most successful group of the 60's with 12 #1 singles. When The Supremes returned to the studio in 1970 with Jean Terrell replacing Diana, the result was taking the lead over Diana on the charts with "Up The Ladder To The Roof" (#10 pop), "Everybody's Got The Right To Love" (#27 pop) and their most popular pop single sans Ross, "Stoned Love" that peaked at #7. Diana Ross got off to a slow start with her first single "Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand) written by Ashford & Simpson and made it to #20. In September of 1970, she finally beat the Supremes in chart action by placing her first #1 single with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" a dramatic reworking of the 1967 Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell hit. "Stoned Love" was written by Frank Wilson and Kenny Thomas (Credited as Y. Samoht) and produced by Wilson. The tune has Motown written all over it, but one element stands out and that is the sound of walking feet that was used as the intro to "Where Did Our Love Go", their first #1 single. Believe it or not, the song was first perceived as a drug reference when it was actually a plea for love and peace in Vietnam. As a result, many radio stations did not play it until Motown executives persuaded the influential RKO radio chain to preview it. I heard the single version on Stingray Music 70's channel today and I knew I had to remix this one. The message is timely and the music is infectious and bouncy, it felt like the right thing to do. Another fun fact, The Stone Roses used "Stoned Love" as the introductory track to their 2012 reunion tour. The Supremes never made Top 10 again. The closest they came to it was the #14 peak of "River Deep Mountain High" with the Four Tops in 1970, disbanding in 1977. Also affecting them was the frequent change of lead singers after Terrell left in 1972. Funny how the Temptations managed to stay relevant even after losing several key members, I wonder why......The original incarnation of the Supremes, Ross, Ballard & Wilson were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1988, received their star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 1994, and reunited for a one off appearance on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever. In 2000 Ross planned a "Return To Love" series of concerts with Cindy Birdsong and Mary Wilson, but Wilson balked when she found out Ross would get 15 million, Wilson 4 million and Birdsong 1 million. Ross doubled their salaries, Birdsong accepted but Wilson declined. Ross then went on stage with Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence who had never recorded together disappointing the legion of fans who thought the acrimony was history. I almost went but then didn't when I realized Cindy and Mary were not involved. The group started with Florence Ballard and Betty McGlown met members of the Temptations (then known as the Primes) was encouraged to put together a female vocal group to be called The Primettes. Ballard recruited best friend Mary Wilson and Wilson recruited Ross. Then Ross was the one who contacted an old neighbor, Smokey Robinson to land an audition with an up and comer, Berry Gordy and the rest is history...

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