Farewell (1970 album)

Farewell is a 1970 live album by Diana Ross & the Supremes. The album was recorded during the final night of the group's engagement at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 14 1970; the show was Diana Ross' final performance with Supremes Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong. At the conclusion of the show, new Supremes lead singer Jean Terrell was brought onstage and introduced to the audience.

History

The show

The material performed in the show was a mix of popular Supremes hits and Broadway showtunes. During the extended rendition of "Let the Sunshine In", Diana Ross walks through the audience and lets some of the guests sing parts of the song; some of these guests include Smokey Robinson and his wife Claudette, Dick Clark, Lou Rawls, Steve Allen, and Marvin Gaye.

The live album was issued as a two-LP deluxe edition box-set, produced by Deke Richards. A compact disc reissue, Captured Live on Stage!, was issued in 1992.

After the show

According to Mary Wilson, Berry Gordy had last minute reservations about having Terrell replace Ross, as she was more independent and headstrong with him than Ross had been. Gordy called Wilson during the early morning hours following the final show, and informed her that he was going to instead replace Ross with his original choice for a Ross replacement, Syreeta Wright.

Terrell, Wilson, and Cindy Birdsong had already recorded most of the material for the most post-Ross Supremes album, Right On, and Terrell had just been publically introduced as the new Supremes, so Wilson refused and threatened to quit if Gordy dropped Terrell. Gordy angrily replied, "Alright..then I wash my hands of the group", and hung up the telephone reciever.

Although the Terrell-led Supremes had a number of hits immediately following Ross' departure, including "Up the Ladder to the Roof", "Stoned Love", Nathan Jones", and "Floy Joy", their popularity and success quickly tapered off as promotion and backing from Motown decreased dramatically.

Personnel

• Diana Ross: lead and background vocals
• Mary Wilson: lead and background vocals
• Cindy Birdsong: background vocals

• Gil Askey: musical direction, arrangements, and orchestra conductor.
• Berry Gordy: executive producer
• Deke Richards: album producer

Track list

Disc 1

1. “TCB”
2. Medley: “Stop! In the Name of Love”/”Come See About Me”/”My World Is Empty Without You”/”Baby Love”
3. Medley: ”The Lady Is a Tramp”/”Let's Get Away From It All”
4. Monologue - Diana Ross
5. “Love Is Here and Now You're Gone”
6. “I'm Gonna Make You Love Me”
7. Monologue - Mary Wilson
8. “Can't Take My Eyes off You”
9. Dialogue - Diana Ross & Mary Wilson
10. “Reflections”
11. “My Man”
12. “Didn't We”
13. “It's Alright With Me”
14. “Big Spender”
15. “Falling In Love with Love”
16. “Love Child”

Disc 2

1. Monologue - Diana Ross
2. “Aquarius”/”Let the Sunshine In” (The Flesh Failures)
3. Monologue - Diana Ross
4. “The Impossible Dream”
5. Monologue - Diana Ross
6. “Someday We'll Be Together”
7. Closing Dialogue - Diana Ross & the Supremes

References

• Wilson, Mary and Romanowski, Patricia (1986, 1990, 2000). Dreamgirl & Supreme Faith: My Life as a Supreme. New York: Cooper Square Publishers. ISBN 081-541000-X.