Who was Florence Ballard? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 32

Vocalists Rhythm & Blues Singers

Died on: February 22, 1976

place of death: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest

City: Detroit, Michigan

U.S. State: Michigan

Recommended For You

Recommended Lists:

Childhood & Early Life

Florence Glenda Ballard was the ninth child born to Jesse and Lurlee Ballard in Detroit, Michigan.

She was introduced to the world of music and trained by her father, who was a musician himself. She attended ‘Northwestern High School’.

After noticing her vocal talent, the manager of a vocal group, ‘Primes’ approached her to join their sister group ‘Primettes’ in 1959. She soon asked her friend, Mary Wilson to audition for the same and the duo were selected. The group became a quartet when the manager brought in singers, Diane Ross and Betty McGlown.

They landed their first audition for American record producer, Berry Gordy’s ‘MoTown Records’ but were advised to graduate from high school as they were too young to become professional singers. Eventually, all the group mates graduated from high school, while Ballard dropped out.

In 1960, she suffered a misery that changed her entire outlook towards life. From the happy and bubbly girl that she was, she became a recluse, after being raped by a local high school basketball player at knifepoint.

Continue Reading Below

Recommended Lists:

American Singers

American Vocalists

American Women Singers

Female Rhythm & Blues Singers

Career

The ‘Primettes’ released their first record ‘Tears of Sorrow’ under the label, ‘Lupine Records’ but it didn’t taste great success.

In August 1960, the band recorded the singles, ‘After All’, ‘You Can Depend on Me’ and ‘Buttered Popcorn’, which catapulted them to fame.

On January 1, 1961, the band was renamed to ‘The Supremes’, following which, they signed a contract with ‘MoTown Records’.

In 1962, Ballard left the group and joined an all-girl group, ‘The Marvelettes’ as a vocalist by replacing singer Wanda Young who was on maternity leave.

A few of her never-released singles include ‘Ain’t That Good News’, ‘People’ and ‘It Makes No Difference Now’.

In 1966, due to excessive alcoholism and weight gain, she was replaced by another vocalist, which ended her tenure with ‘The Supremes’.

From 1963-1967, during her time with ‘The Supremes’ she managed to deliver ten ‘number one’ songs and sixteen ‘top forty’ singles.

In 1968, she signed a deal with ‘ABC Records’ and released two of her singles, ‘It Doesn’t Matter How I Say It’ and ‘Love Ain’t Love’. They failed commercially, which resulted in her later albums getting shelved by the record label.

On June 25, 1975, she performed at the ‘Henry and Edsel Ford Auditorium’, Detroit and made a comeback as a singer with a new record deal.

Recommended Lists:

American Rhythm & Blues Singers

American Female Rhythm & Blues Singers

Cancer Women

Major Works

In 1964, she was the lead vocalist for the song ‘People’, which featured in ‘The Supremes’ album, ‘There’s A Place for Us’. It soon became her trademark song and she started performing in auditoriums, for concerts and in nightclubs which lasted for two decades.

Awards & Achievements

In 1988, she was posthumously inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’.

Personal Life & Legacy

On February 29, 1968, she married a chauffeur, Thomas Chapman and the couple had twin girls the same year.

In 1971, she gave birth to a third child but was deserted by her husband, which led to a financial crisis in the family.

Although her comeback was a success, she dealt with health problems due to alcoholism. She died of cardiac arrest, at the age of 32, in Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital. She is buried at the ‘Detroit Memorial Park Cemetery’ in Michigan.

In 2006, the musical drama ‘Dreamgirls’ starring Jennifer Hudson and Beyonc� Knowles was released and was made a ‘film a clef’, featuring the albums by ‘The Supremes’ and ‘MoTown Records’.

Trivia

This prominent female singer was blessed with a powerful voice and was asked by the studio engineers to stand 17 feet away from the microphone while recording a song.

Florence Ballard Biography