Go Flo

Today would have been the 70th birthday of Florence Ballard. She was one of the original Supremes--even singing lead in one (failed) single, "Buttered Popcorn." Many thought the was the best singer in the trio.  But Diana Ross, under Motown leader Barry Gordy, became the face and voice of the band.  Ballard also felt their sound was too poppy.

She started drinking a lot and regularly fought with her bandmates.   She became less reliable as a performer and started gaining weight.  In 1967 she was replaced and in 1968 forced off the Motown label.  Her solo career foundered and she fell into alcoholism, dying at the age of 32 in 1976.

But there are still all those great records.