Music
09 Feb 21

Tributes paid to Mary Wilson, founding member of the Supremes, who has died aged 76

"She was a trailblazer, a diva and will be deeply missed," says Motown founder Berry Gordy.

Mary Wilson, one of the co-founders of iconic Motown group the Supremes, has died, aged 76. According to her publicist Jay Schwartz, Wilson "passed away suddenly" at her home in Hendeson, Nevada on Monday, February 8. The cause of her death has not yet been released.

Wilson formed the Supremes (originally The Primettes) in Detroit in 1959, alongside Florence Ballard, Diana Ross and Betty McGlown – all of whom were from the Brewster-Douglass public housing project in the city. During the mid-60s, the group achieved mainstream success with Motown Records. Three of their songs ('Where Did Our Love Go', 'You Keep Me Hangin' On' and 'Stop! In The Name Of Love' have been added to the Grammy Hall of Fame, while 'Stop! In The Name Of Love' and 'You Can't Hurry Love' were listed among the Rock and Roll of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

The Diana Ross-Mary Wilson-Florence Ballard line-up of the Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

In a statement to NPR, Motown founder Berry Gordy said he "was always proud of Mary."

"She was quite a star in her own right and over the years continued to work hard to boost the legacy of the Supremes," he continued. "Mary Wilson was extremely special to me. She was a trailblazer, a diva and will be deeply missed."

Tributes to Wilson are also being shared on social media:

Mary Wilson along with Florence Ballard and Diana Ross changed the game permanently. Hit after hit after hit, on regular rotation to this day. A Supreme Titan may have left us but that legacy will never be surpassed. Rest in power #MaryWilson ❤️ https://t.co/q54gUFLmcl pic.twitter.com/li8ndoy7yx

— Beverley Knight💙 (@Beverleyknight) February 9, 2021

Thank You to the Great ✨💫⚡️
👑 #MaryWilson pic.twitter.com/eE0l3tC4sJ

— ledisi (@ledisi) February 9, 2021

The world has lost one of its greatest legends, Mary Wilson, original and founding member of the Supremes. pic.twitter.com/KJzNutx9lQ

— Classic Motown (@ClassicMotown) February 9, 2021

Supremes co-founder Mary Wilson has joined the ancestors. Whenever I think of her, my mind IMMEDIATELY goes to the only Soul Train line Don Cornelius ever went down - bc Mary wanted him to.
pic.twitter.com/8q9kb1TUbf

— Naima Cochrane (@naima) February 9, 2021

The saddest news to wake up to today. We’ll be honouring the amazing legacy of #MaryWilson on our @BBC6Music #PeoplesPlaylist this week. If there’s a track you want to hear in the mix, let me know here. https://t.co/cKazCh54PZ

— Lauren Laverne (@laurenlaverne) February 9, 2021

RIP Mary Wilson, 76.
Supremes superstar, wonderful singer, delightful lady. Very sad news. pic.twitter.com/Sq14VxFEko

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 9, 2021