Florence Ballard

Florence Glenda Ballard (Flo) came from a big family, and like most from large broods, enjoyed being around family for gatherings, barbecues, whatever. She was born to Jesse and Lurlee Ballard in Rosetta, MS, June 30, 1943, the eighth of 13 siblings; the family moved to Detroit before she turned ten to take advantage of Detroit's booming job market. Jesse found employment at an automobile plant, and as a hobby, played guitar and sang; Lurlee played piano. Jesse taught his precocious daughter songs and encouraged her interest in music. She built a "that girl can sing" reputation in the neighborhood, took music classes and sang in her school's choir. At 14, she befriended the Primes (Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and Kell Osborne) and performed a few gigs with the smooth, silky trio at Detroit venues. The Primes' manager, Milton Jenkins, encouraged Ballard to form a sister group to the Primes, so she chose Mary Wilson, Betty McGlown, and Diane Earle (Diana Ross). All sang lead, but McGlown left early and was replaced by Barbara Martin. Wilson had the lowest voice; Ballard, the most demonstrative; and Earle, the highest with a razor edge that distinguished from the others, similar to the effect Eddie Kendricks had with the Temptations -- you knew when Kendricks or Earle made the session without reading liner notes. With guitarist, Marv Tarplin accompanying, before the Miracles snatched him away, the Primettes played hops, talent shows, and house parties for fun and experience -- pay was sometimey. They tried to get a deal with Motown Records before they graduated from high school only to be told to try again after they finished; they cut a one off record for Lupine Records and also did backing sessions for Robert West's Lupine family of labels, as well as, occasional...