Cindy Birdsong

Last updated

Cindy Birdsong
Cindy Birdsong (1967).jpg
Birdsong in 1967
Born
Cynthia Ann Birdsong

(1939-12-15) December 15, 1939 (age 84)
Years active1960–1979
1987–2011
Spouse
Charles Hewlett
(m. 1970;div. 1975)
Children1
Musical career
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
  • nurse
InstrumentVocals
LabelsHi-Hat Records
Formerly of

Cynthia Ann Birdsong (born December 15, 1939) is an American singer who became famous as a member of The Supremes in 1967, when she replaced co-founding member Florence Ballard. Birdsong had previously been a member of Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles.

Contents

Biography

Early life

Birdsong was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey on December 15, 1939, to parents Lloyd Green Birdsong Sr. and Annie Birdsong, as the eldest of their children. After living in Philadelphia for a duration of her childhood, the family returned to New Jersey, settling in Camden. Birdsong set her sights on becoming a nurse and attending college in Pennsylvania. When Cindy returned to Philadelphia she was contacted by a longtime friend, Patsy Holte, in 1960 to replace Sundray Tucker in Holt's singing group The Ordettes. [1] At twenty years of age, Birdsong was the oldest member of the group with the remainder of the group still in their mid-teens.

Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles

By 1962, the group had two new members, Sarah Dash, and Nona Hendryx, both who previously sung for a vocal group which was defunct at the time. In the same year, they auditioned for local record label owner Harold Robinson. Robinson agreed to work with the group after hearing LaBelle sing the song "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman".

Shortly after Robinson signed them, he had them record as the Blue Belles and they were selected to promote the recording of "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman", which had been recorded by the Starlets. It was recorded as a Bluebelles single due to label conflict. The Starlets' manager sued Harold Robinson after the Blue Belles were seen performing a lip-synching version of the song on American Bandstand . After settling out of court, Robinson altered the group's name to "Patti LaBelle and The Blue Belles". Initially, a Billboard ad cited the group as "Patti Bell and the Blue Bells". [2] In 1963, the group scored their first hit single with the ballad "Down the Aisle". Later in the year, they recorded their rendition of the "You'll Never Walk Alone"; the single was later re-released on Cameo-Parkway Records where the group scored a second hit on the pop charts with the song in 1964. Another charted single, "Danny Boy", was released that same year. In 1965, after Cameo-Parkway folded, the group signed with Atlantic Records where they recorded twelve singles for the label, including the mildly charted singles "All or Nothing" and "Take Me for a Little While". The group's Atlantic tenure included their rendition of "Over the Rainbow" and a version of the song "Groovy Kind of Love".

Diana Ross & the Supremes (1967–1970)

In 1994, The Supremes were recognized with a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7060 Hollywood Blvd. Supremes.Star.Hollywood.Walk.of.Fam.jpg
In 1994, The Supremes were recognized with a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7060 Hollywood Blvd.

By this time, Birdsong was contacted by Berry Gordy in April 1967. [3] She was being considered as a replacement for Florence Ballard by Diana Ross due to Ballard's "erratic behavior". [4] Birdsong said:

All I was told was they wanted me there. I was met at the airport by Motown executives and driven to Berry Gordy's house where the group was having a meeting with him. I was a still a member of Patti's group and didn't even tell her that I was going to Detroit. So, the door of the room swung open and Florence came out in tears. Her mother came out with her. Oh, she was so upset, so shaken, she didn't even see me. it was then I realized that I was to replace her. I felt so bad, but later on Florence understood why I did it. [4]

Birdsong began to rehearse with the Supremes doing Ballard's work as in her place, [3] and when Ballard was fired from the Supremes at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, and forced Ballard back to Detroit, [4] Birdsong officially assumed her place during the second July 1 show. [5]

During her tenure with the group, Gordy mostly used the Andantes on background vocals to accompany Ross instead of Birdsong nor Wilson. [4] [6] However, when the single, "Someday We'll Be Together", hit number one, the group made their final television appearance with Ross, performing on The Ed Sullivan Show on December 21, 1969. [7]

Post Diana Ross: The "new" Supremes (1970–1972; 1973–1976)

In 1970, Jean Terrell replaced Ross as lead singer of the Supremes. [8] However, at first, Syreeta Wright was considered a replacement but Terrell was chosen instead. [9] In the new group, both Wilson and Birdsong's voices were heard more prominently, including the three albums the group recorded with the Four Tops. The group had a hit with the Four Tops with a cover version of Ike & Tina Turner's "River Deep – Mountain High". [10] They scored more chart success at the beginning of the new decade, scoring hits in the United Kingdom, while having several pop and soul hits in the United States, including "Up the Ladder to the Roof", "Everybody's Got the Right to Love", "Stoned Love", "Nathan Jones", and "Floy Joy". [11] However, Birdsong left to have her first child and was replaced by Lynda Laurence. [12] Birdsong later returned to replace Laurence in 1973 after Laurence left to start a family with her husband Trevor Lawrence. [13] [14] It was also when Scherrie Payne joined the group as well, replacing Jean Terrell. During that period, Birdsong contributed to two albums: The Supremes (1975) and High Energy (1976). Birdsong was later fired from the Supremes in February 1976. [4] In that same year, Birdsong and Terrell then contacted Ballard to create a new group, but Ballard's death that same year cancelled their plan. [15]

Later career

In June 1977, Wilson performed a "farewell" concert with The Supremes (by then Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene) and thereafter embarked on a solo career. Later that fall, Wilson was forced to play several Supremes dates, most notably in South America, that Payne and Greene would not fulfill on such short notice. Rather than risk lawsuits, Wilson recruited Birdsong and Debbie Sharpe as her backups, performing under "Mary Wilson of the Supremes". [16] [17]

After leaving the Supremes, Birdsong worked at UCLA Medical Center under her married name of Cindy Hewlett, and then went to work for Suzanne de Passe at Motown Records. In 1983, Birdsong joined former Supremes Mary Wilson and Diana Ross in a one-off reunion on the Motown 25 anniversary television special. In 1986, she was a member of the Former Ladies of the Supremes along with Terrell and Payne but left to pursue a solo career in music. [4] Once again, she was replaced by Laurence in the group. [4] She briefly recorded for the small Hi–Hat Records with a single "Dancing Room".

In 1999, she reunited with The Bluebelles, who changed their name to Labelle after Birdsong's departure, for the first time in thirty-two years as the group accepted an R&B Foundation Award for Lifetime Achievement, singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" together. [18] In 2004, Birdsong joined Mary Wilson and Kelly Rowland (of Destiny's Child) to perform a medley of Supreme hits for the Motown 45 anniversary television special. [19]

Personal life

Birdsong married Charles Hewlett in August 1970 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. [20] In attendance were then singing partners Jean Terrell and Mary Wilson. [20] This was Birdsong's first marriage and Hewlett's second marriage. Birdsong filed for divorce in March 1975, citing "irreconcilable differences". [21] The couple have one son, Charles, known as David. [21]

In June 2023, The New York Times printed a full length article on Birdsong's health and financial status. Her family revealed that she suffered several debilitating strokes, and expressed frustration with Birdsong's longtime caretaker and roommate Rochelle Lander who they said was preventing family support. [22] However, in 2021, Birdsong was removed from her apartment by Los Angeles police and was put in a skilled nursing facility. [23] A judge awarded the family conservatorship in October 2023. [24]

In April 2024, the New York Times printed a follow-up article, chronicling Birdsong's continued challenges. Her son David filed a lawsuit against Brad Herman who had been credited for "rescuing" Cindy from her financial and medical woes. [25]

Kidnapping

In December 1969, Birdsong was kidnapped while returning to her Los Angeles apartment with then–boyfriend Hewlett and their friend, Howard Meek. [26] The intruder forced Birdsong to tie up the two, then forced her downstairs into her car at knifepoint. [27] Birdsong managed to unlock the car door while Collier was driving and jumped out of the vehicle onto the Long Beach Freeway to safety. [27] [26] She was 'hospitalised with cuts, bruises and knife wounds.' [28] Days later, Charles Collier, a maintenance man at Birdsong's apartment, surrendered himself in to Las Vegas police. [27] In April the following year Collier was sentenced to five years to life in the (California) State Prison. Collier claimed he 'did not know why' he kidnapped Birdsong. [29]

Discography

Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells

Albums

  • 1963: Sweethearts of the Apollo [30]
  • 1963: Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells & Bluebells
  • 1965: On Stage [31]
  • 1966: Over the Rainbow [32]
  • 1967: Dreamer [33]

Singles

Diana Ross & The Supremes

Albums

Singles

(All singles with The Temptations) [53] [54] [55] [56] [57]

The Supremes

Albums

Singles

Solo

Singles

  • 1987: "Dancing Room"

Notes

  1. Patti LaBelle (October 31, 1996). Don't Block the Blessings (1st ed.). Warner Books. p.  94. ISBN   978-1573220392.
  2. Warner 2006, p. 408.
  3. 1 2 Ribowsky (2009). The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success, and Betrayal, pp. 283–294.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Betts, Graham (June 2, 2014). Motown Encyclopedia. Ac Publishing. ISBN   978-1-311-44154-6 . Retrieved January 15, 2024 via Google Books.
  5. Benjaminson 2008 , pp. 95–97
  6. Benjaminson 2008 , pp. 75–79
  7. Wilson & Bego 2019 , p. 212
  8. Ribowsky, Mark (January 29, 2024). The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success, and Betrayal. Da Capo Press. ISBN   9780306815867 . Retrieved January 17, 2024 via Google Books.
  9. Wilson, Mary (2000). Dreamgirl & Supreme Faith, Updated Edition: My Life as a Supreme. New York: Cooper Square Press; ISBN   0-8154-1000-X
  10. Wilson & Bego 2019 , p. 221
  11. Publications Inc., Billboard (February 17, 1973). "Billboard". Billboard Publications Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2023 via Google Books.
  12. Whitburn, Joel (July 18, 2012). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 9th Edition: Complete Chart Information about America's Most Popular Songs and Artists, 1955-2009. Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed. ISBN   978-0-307-98512-5 via Google Books.
  13. Betts, Graham (June 2, 2014). Motown Encyclopedia. AC Publishing. ISBN   978-1-311-44154-6 via Google Books.
  14. Company, Johnson Publishing (November 1, 1973). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company via Google Books.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  15. Company, Johnson Publishing (May 20, 1976). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company. Retrieved February 11, 2024 via Google Books.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  16. Wilson & Romanowski 1991, p. 223.
  17. Wilson & Romanowski 1990, pp. 224–227.
  18. Company, Johnson Publishing (March 22, 1999). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company via Google Books.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  19. Company, Johnson Publishing (May 17, 2004). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company via Google Books.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  20. 1 2 Company, Johnson Publishing (June 11, 1970). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company. Retrieved January 15, 2023 via Google Books.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  21. 1 2 Company, Johnson Publishing (October 2, 1975). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company. Retrieved January 15, 2024 via Google Books.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  22. "The Family of a Former Supreme Battles for Control of Her Life". The New York Times. June 29, 2023.
  23. "Former Supremes Singer's Family Request Conservatorship, Accuse Friend of 'Isolating' Her". Peoplemag.
  24. Jacobs, Julia; Petkanas, Christopher (October 4, 2023). "Judge Appoints a Conservator to Oversee Affairs of Former Supreme". The New York Times.
  25. Jacobs, Julia; Herstik, Lauren (April 20, 2024). "A Man Hailed as Cindy Birdsong's Rescuer Is Accused of Exploiting Her". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  26. 1 2 Company, Johnson Publishing (December 18, 1969). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company via Google Books.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  27. 1 2 3 "Cindy Birdsong kidnapper arrested '69". Independent. December 4, 1969. p. 3 via newspapers.com.
  28. Peter MacDonald, 'The Supremes Ride on in Style' TV Week 1 June 1974 p. 28
  29. 'Abduction of Singer Brings Prison Term' Los Angeles Times 25 April 1970 p. 21
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  33. "Patti Labelle & the Bluebelles - Dreamer Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.
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  36. "Down the Aisle (Wedding Song) (song by Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  37. "You'll Never Walk Alone (song by Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  38. "Danny Boy (song by Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  39. "All or Nothing (song by Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
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  61. "I Second That Emotion (song by Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com.
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  69. "The Supremes - Floy Joy Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.
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  71. "The Supremes - High Energy Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.
  72. "Up the Ladder to the Roof (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  73. "Everybody's Got the Right to Love (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  74. "Stoned Love (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  75. "River Deep - Mountain High (song by The Supremes & Four Tops) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  76. "Nathan Jones (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  77. "You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart (song by The Supremes & Four Tops) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  78. "Touch (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  79. "Floy Joy (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  80. "Automatically Sunshine (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  81. "Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  82. "He's My Man (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  83. "Where Do I Go from Here (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  84. "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  85. "High Energy (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.

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Together, released by Motown in 1969, was the second and final duets studio album combining Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations into an eight-person Motown act. Like the first duets LP, Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations, it is composed almost entirely of covers, including versions of The Band's "The Weight", Sly & the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song", Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and Motown songs like "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "Uptight ". "The Weight" was the only single in the US, and failed to make it into the American Top 40. "Why ", a UK exclusive single, was a Top 40 hit on the UK singles charts.

<i>Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations</i> 1968 studio album by Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations

Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations is a collaborative album combining Motown's two best selling groups, Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations. Issued by Motown in late 1968 to coincide with the broadcast of the Supremes/Temptations TCB television special, the album was a success, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200. Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations spent four weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart.

Former Ladies of the Supremes, or FLOS, is a female vocal group that was originally formed in 1986 by former Supremes members Jean Terrell, Cindy Birdsong and Scherrie Payne. It has also included former members Lynda Laurence and Susaye Greene. Though they were not Supremes members, singers Sundray Tucker, Freddi Poole and Joyce Vincent have also sung with the group following the departure of Terrell.

<i>The Magnificent 7</i> (album) 1970 studio album by The Supremes and The Four Tops

The Magnificent 7 is a collaborative album combining Motown's premier vocal groups, The Supremes and The Four Tops. Issued by Motown in 1970, it followed two collaborative albums The Supremes did with The Temptations in the late 1960s. The album featured their hit cover of Ike & Tina Turner's "River Deep – Mountain High", which reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. In the UK, the album peaked at number 6. In December 1971, Billboard reported UK album sales of 30,000 copies.

Pamela Joan Sawyer is an English songwriter/lyricist, who started writing songs in the mid-1960s and whose credits as a co-writer at Motown included "Love Child", "If I Were Your Woman", "My Whole World Ended ", and "Love Hangover".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In and Out of Love (The Supremes song)</span> 1967 single by Diana Ross & the Supremes

"In and Out of Love" is a 1967 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label. It was the second single issued with the group's new billing of Diana Ross & the Supremes, the penultimate Supremes single written and produced by Motown production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, and the last single to feature the vocals of original member Florence Ballard.

Silver, Platinum & Gold was an American female trio consisting of former background singers, Edna Richardson, Flo King, and Renee King Heard.

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