Diana Ross & The Supremes - Ed Sullivan Shows '60's

The Supremes first appeared on the Sullivan stage on December 27, 1964 to perform their smash single, "Come See About Me.” In this early black and white performance, the girls wore simple dresses and matching bouffant hair-dos, and the audience fell in love with their infectious charm and appeal. Over the next several years, with the support of Motown songwriters, choreographers and stylists, their look and sound became much more sophisticated. By the time they performed their hit “You Can’t Hurry Love” on Sullivan in 1966, the trio had gone from cute girls to beautiful women, showing off sequined gowns, glamorous hair and impressive talent. On November 19th 1967, a memorable event featured two of Motown’s biggest acts – The Supremes and The Temptations on The Ed Sullivan Show. The Supremes sang The Temptations’ hits (“Get Ready” and “I’m Losing You”), while The Temptations performed The Supremes’ hits (“Stop! In The Name of Love,” and “Baby Love”). The success of this musical pairing inspired NBC to give them two primetime specials. Apart their great performances, what makes the Supremes’ run on The Ed Sullivan Show so special is the relationship the group had with Ed Sullivan himself. By all accounts, Sullivan developed a soft spot for the three young singers over the course of the show’s run. Mary Wilson was quoted as telling reporters, “At first, being young, there was a little distance, but he became very close to us when he found we were kind of, you know, nice girls. He really liked that.” But the symbiotic relationship between The Ed Sullivan Show and The Supremes was more than just a soft spot. The show offered not only a highly visible stage for the group, but also some valuable artistic advice as well. John Moffitt, one of The Ed Sullivan Show directors, recalls that the show’s musical director Bob Arthur “was the first one to talk Diana Ross into doing classics rather than just doing the real pop stuff. He talked her into doing classics – Rodgers and Hammerstein and other composers. [Arthur] helped, really, to diversify her material and her career.” On the May 5th 1968 show, Diana Ross & The Supremes performance was dedicated to composer Irving Berlin. They performed a 5-minute medley (with Ethel Merman) of 50 Irving Berlin-tunes. On December 21st 1969, Diana Ross and The Supremes performed their final song together as a group, the ironically entitled "Someday We’ll Be Together.” When the cameras cut to Ed, he told the audience that Diana Ross was leaving the group to pursue a solo career. In effect, it ended The Supremes’ run on this very stage where they had risen to fame. ED SULLIVAN SHOW appearances in 1964 1- Come See About Me 2- You're Nobody 'till Somebody Loves You 3- My World Is Empty Without You 4- Somewhere 5- Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart 6- More 7- You Can't Hurry Love 8- Medley: *I Hear A Symphony *Stranger In Paradise *Wonderful, Wonderful *Without A Song *Yes I Do 9-My Favorite Things 10- Medley: *Come See About Me *Stop In The Name Of Love *You Can't Hurry Love You Keep Me Hangin' On I Hear A Symphony ED SULLIVAN SHOW appearances in 1966 11- The Happening 12- Medley: *Thoroughly Modern Millie *Second Hand Rose *Mame 13- In & Out Of Love 14- Medley: (With The Temptations) *Stop In The Name Of Love *My Girl *Baby Love 15- I Know I"m Losing You 16- Greensleeves / Thou Swell ED SULLIVAN SHOW appearances in 1967 17- Forever Came Today 18- Fats Waller Medley: *Honeysuckle Rose *Ain't Misbehaving *Keeping Out Of Mischief Now 19- Always 20- Irving Berlin Medley with Ethel Merman: *Say It With Music *It's A Lovely Day Today *Heat Wave *Say It Isn't So ED SULLIVAN SHOW appearances in 1968 21- Funny Girl Medley: *I'm The Greatest Star *Funny Girl *Don't Rain On My Parade *People 22- Love Child 23- Love Child 24- I'm Living In Shame 25- I Get A Kick Out Of You 26- The Impossible Dream 27- You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You 28- No Matter What Sing You Are ED SULLIVAN SHOW appearances in 1969 29- Ed Sullivan talks to Diana Ross 30- Medley: *Baby Love *Stop In The Name Of Love *Come See About Me *My World Is Empty Without You *You Can't Hurry Love *The Happening *Keep Me Hangin' On *Reflections *Love Child *I Hear A Symphony 31- Someday We'll Be Together