Mary Wilson in conversation
A Supreme Act - Mary Wilson in Conversation with Paul
Gambaccini
May 09
A glittering series of events are planned
around the official opening by Mary Wilson of the exhibition
The Story of the Supremes From the Mary Wilson
Collection, at the Council-run Assembly Rooms in Bath this
summer. The V&A exhibition, in collaboration with the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio, opens to the public on 25 July
and runs until the 31 August.
On Sunday 26 July at 4pm, writer and
broadcaster Paul Gambaccini will be talking to Mary Wilson,
co-founder of the Supremes, about her extraordinary career and the
heyday of Motown. Tickets for In Conversation with Mary
Wilson, organized by the museums section of Bath &
North East Somerset Council, are available from Bath Festivals Box
Office and cost £12.00, Concessions £10.00. Log onto http://www.bathfestivals.org.uk/
for more information or telephone 01225 463362 to book. A
ticket to the talk also includes entry on the day to the exhibition
between 3.30pm and 6pm.
An original member of The Supremes, Mary
Wilson has been performing since she was 14 years old, and sang
with the Supremes from 1959 to 1977. Since the group disbanded, she
has established herself as a solo performer, an author and an
advocate for humanitarian causes. In 2003, she was named a Cultural
Ambassador for a US Department of State programme to improve
international cross-cultural understanding.
Mary first toured the UK with the Supremes in
1965, and admits to “have always adored England”. She will also be
here at the end of June with the ‘Once In A Lifetime – Legends Live
Tour ’ which will be coming to arenas across the country.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of
Motown Records, The Story of the Supremes From the Mary
Wilson Collection will display more than 50 original stage
costumes worn by The Supremes, from the collection of their founder
member.
Set against the backdrop of the meteoric rise
of Motown Records and of the American civil rights movement, the
exhibition uses original photographs, film footage, magazines and
memorabilia to explore the inspirational role that The Supremes
played in changing racial perceptions.
The show has been described by Museums Journal
as “One of the most enjoyable shows I’ve seen in years”, and by
Metro “The show reflects the importance of pop culture in bringing
down racial barriers”.
The Supremes’ influence on today’s performers
is also examined in a specially commissioned video interview with
TV and radio broadcaster Trevor Nelson: “The Supremes were
the first great girl group. Where they led, others followed”.
The Story of The Supremes From the
Mary Wilson Collection is promoted and managed by Tourwest
Limited and sponsored by Continental Airlines. It has been brought
to the Assembly Rooms by Bath & North East Somerset Heritage
Services section, who also run the Fashion Museum.
Entry to this special exhibition is included
in the ticket price to the Fashion Museum, http://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/
, housed in the lower ground floor of the Assembly Rooms. The
Museum is open 10.30am– 6pm, with last entry 5pm. Admission £7.00,
children £5.00. Entry is free to local residents with a Discovery
Card, see http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/ for
details on how to obtain one.
ENDS
Attached image: Courtesy of Mary Wilson
For more information and images contact:
Maggie Bone, Museums Publicity Officer, Bath
& North East Somerset Council, Tel: 01225 477736, or email:
maggie_bone@bathnes.gov.uk
Mary Wilson was one third of the most
successful female singing groups in recording history. With
the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, the Supremes became
America's most prolific hit makers and helped establish the
distinct Motown sound that made the band one of the most
influential and successful icons of the 60s and 70s. Their many
hits include 'Baby Love', 'Where Did Our Love Go', 'Stop! In The
Name Of Love', and 'You Can't Hurry Love'. As testimony
to the group's success, they were inducted into the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame and in 1994 were honoured with their star on the
prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Legends Tour
To tie in with the celebration of 50 years of
Motown this tour features some of the original line up from the
1965 UK tour - The Commodores, Martha Reeves & The Vandella’s,
The Miracles – with Jr. Walker’s All Stars. Venues include
Wembley on 25 June and Birmingham on 26 June.