Mary Wilson of The Supremes

THE magic of Motown comes to St Albans on Friday night with The Supremes’ singer Mary Wilson in concert at the Alban Arena.

AS one third of legendary act The Supremes, Mary Wilson deserves her place in the annals of Tamla Motown.

The most successful female singing group in recording history, The Supremes rivalled The Beatles for chart supremacy in America in their 60s heyday.

Originally called The Primettes, the group catapulted founder member Mary from a teenage singing wannabe in Detroit to chart-topper on both sides of the Atlantic.

After years of trying to make it big, The Supremes – Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and a certain Diana Ross – finally enjoyed the first of their 12 American number ones with Where Did Our Love Go in 1964.

The song, by the main Motown writing and production team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland, was originally written for, but rejected by, The Marvellettes.

Their loss was The Supremes’ gain and when Baby Love became their only British No 1, they achieved the distinction of being the first all-girl group to top the UK charts.

The group’s story later inspired, with a bit of dramatic licence, 2006 Hollywood blockbuster Dreamgirls, starring Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson.

Now 67, the soulful Mary Wilson is still touring today and prolonging the memory of The Supremes’ timeless music.

She will be in concert at the Alban Arena in St Albans on Friday night, with special guests The Chi-Lites – famed for hits such as Have You Seen Her and Homely Girl – as support.

As well as Baby Love, fans can expect to hear the likes of Supremes classics Stop! In the Name of Love, Nathan Jones, You Can’t Hurry Love, which Phil Collins later covered, and You Keep Me Hangin’ On, which Codicote songstress Kim Wilde took to the top of the American charts in 1987.

Tickets for the show cost £27.50 and are available from the Alban Arena box office on 01727 844488 or online from the Alban Arena website.