By Dustin Fitzharris
Heaven can be right here on Earth.
At least that's what Mary Wilson, one of the original members of The Supremes, says. And why wouldn't she? She was just 20 years old when she was singing on the No. 1 song in the country, "Where Did Our Love Go."
Before she turned 30, she performed for the Queen of England, helped tear down racial barriers that divided a nation through song, and became a symbol for beauty and glamour.
Now, at 63, Wilson is refusing to stop, but will pause for some reflections on the way life used to be for her and the singing partners she calls "the other part of (myself)" – Diana Ross and Florence Ballard.
When she hears the name Diana Ross, she joyfully shouts, "The voice of The Supremes!" She's more somber when she thinks of Ballard, the woman whom she calls her heart. "She's one of those souls who had such a tremendous talent, and the world never knew it. My heart saddens for her and people like Florence who never had that second chance."
Ballard left The Supremes in 1967 and died penniless nine years later in Detroit. Wilson continues to honor Ballard's memory – and will give fans in the Detroit area the chance to relive The Supremes' love for sequins and furs. Opening Nov. 1 at the Public Museum in Grand Rapids, "The Supremes, Reflections: The Mary Wilson Supreme Legacy Collection," will feature about 50 gowns worn by the famed trio.
Although Wilson had kept the dresses over the years, she said the idea to put the gowns into an exhibit came about through her affiliation to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after The Supremes were inducted in 1988.
"I realized this was something everyone would love to see, and it would bring back memories," Wilson says. "I think by the grace of God these gowns have stayed in such good condition."
There are gowns that Wilson says she still looks back on and says, "That was fun." But she's never tempted to slip into one.
"I don't even think I can get into any of them now!" Wilson laughs.
Some of the gowns featured in the exhibit were created by legendary designers Bob Mackie and Michael Travis. But before designers discovered "the girls" – as Ed Sullivan used to refer to them, because he could never remember the group's name – they bought many of their own gowns at Saks Fifth Avenue. Ross, who had majored in costume illustration, also had a hand in their early wardrobe.
"I think the female entertainers of today have it better off than we did," Wilson says. "Designers are knocking their doors down with these couture gowns."
Growing up in the Brewster Projects in Detroit and having designers stitch beautiful gowns together especially for her only seemed like a dream. But thinking back on her hometown, all Wilson can remember is the beauty.
"I love Detroit," she says. "For me, it was a great place to grow up. We had wonderful neighborhoods and family structures were very good. The education I received there was just wonderful. I just can't give enough praise to Detroit and the educational system when we were growing up."
Mr. David Boone was Wilson's English teacher – and, after all these years, she is still singing his praises. "He inspired me to write my books," she says.
One of those books was the 1986 best-seller "Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme." It went on to sell more than 250,000 copies in hardback alone, and it remains one of the most successful rock 'n' roll autobiographies of all time.
For the past five years, Wilson has been working on a new musical project. Early next year, she will release her first album of original material in 15 years. While she's keeping the album's title a guarded secret, she says the flavor of the CD can't be put into a category because it's so original.
"I have to give a lot of the credit to Detroit musicians. All of the music was done there," she says. "I'm very proud of it, and I can't wait for it to be released."
Wilson has also been named official Mine Action spokeswoman for the Humpty Dumpty Institute, a non-profit organization aimed at creating innovative public-private partnerships to address complex international problems. In this role, Wilson will raise public awareness about the worldwide issue of landmines and unexploded ordnance, or "UXOs."
On Nov. 3, in partnership with the One Sri Lanka Foundation, she will hold a benefit at the Cinnamon Grand hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Proceeds from the concert will contribute to Sri Lankan charities assisting victims of landmines.
"I would like to be an inspiration for helping this world to become more positive," Wilson says, "especially to help our children move forward."
It's obvious that gowns are only a small part of the Supremes' legacy. When Mary Wilson says, "Dreams do come true," she is speaking from experience.
