Cindy Birdsong

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cindy Birdsong
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
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
  • nurse
Instrument(s)Vocals
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.

Biography[edit]

Early life[edit]

Birdsong was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey on December 15, 1939, to parents Lloyd Birdsong, Sr. and Annie Birdsong. 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[edit]

By 1962, the group had two new members, Sarah Dash, and Nona Hendryx, the latter two girls had sung for another 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)[edit]

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)[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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, 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]

Kidnapping[edit]

In December 1969, Birdsong was kidnapped while returning to her Los Angeles apartment with then–boyfriend Hewlett and their friend, Howard Meek.[25] The intruder forced Birdsong to tie up the two, then forced her downstairs into her car at knifepoint.[26] Birdsong managed to unlock the car door while Collier was driving and jumped out of the vehicle onto the Long Beach Freeway to safety.[26][25] She was 'hospitalised with cuts, bruises and knife wounds.'[27] Days later, Charles Collier, a maintenance man at Birdsong's apartment, surrendered himself in to Las Vegas police.[26] 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.[28]

Discography[edit]

Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells[edit]

Albums[edit]

  • 1963: Sweethearts of the Apollo[29]
  • 1963: Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells & Bluebells
  • 1965: On Stage[30]
  • 1966: Over the Rainbow[31]
  • 1967: Dreamer[32]

Singles[edit]

Diana Ross & The Supremes[edit]

Albums[edit]

Singles[edit]

(All singles with The Temptations)[52][53][54][55][56]

The Supremes[edit]

Albums[edit]

Singles[edit]

Solo[edit]

Singles[edit]

  • 1987: "Dancing Room"

Notes[edit]

  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. ^ a b Ribowsky (2009). The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success, and Betrayal, pp. 283–294.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g 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.
  15. ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (May 20, 1976). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company. Retrieved February 11, 2024 – via Google Books.
  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.
  19. ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (May 17, 2004). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  20. ^ a b Company, Johnson Publishing (June 11, 1970). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company. Retrieved January 15, 2023 – via Google Books.
  21. ^ a b Company, Johnson Publishing (October 2, 1975). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company. Retrieved January 15, 2024 – via Google Books.
  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. ^ a b Company, Johnson Publishing (December 18, 1969). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  26. ^ a b c "Cindy Birdsong kidnapper arrested '69". Independent. December 4, 1969. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
  27. ^ Peter MacDonald, 'The Supremes Ride on in Style' TV Week 1 June 1974 p. 28
  28. ^ 'Abduction of Singer Brings Prison Term' Los Angeles Times 25 April 1970 p. 21
  29. ^ "Patti LaBelle, Patti Labelle & the Bluebelles - Sweethearts of the Apollo Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  30. ^ "Patti Labelle & the Bluebelles - The Bluebelles on Stage Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  31. ^ "Patti Labelle & the Bluebelles - Over the Rainbow Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  32. ^ "Patti Labelle & the Bluebelles - Dreamer Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  33. ^ "Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com.
  34. ^ "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman (song by Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  35. ^ "Down the Aisle (Wedding Song) (song by Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  36. ^ "You'll Never Walk Alone (song by Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  37. ^ "Danny Boy (song by Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  38. ^ "All or Nothing (song by Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  39. ^ "I'm Still Waiting (song by Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  40. ^ "Take Me for a Little While (song by Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  41. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Supremes - Reflections Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  42. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Supremes - Live at London's Talk of the Town Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  43. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Supremes - Diana Ross & the Supremes Sing and Perform "Funny Girl" Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  44. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Supremes, The Temptations - Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  45. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Supremes - Love Child Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  46. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Supremes, The Temptations - The Original Sound Track from TCB Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  47. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Supremes - Let the Sunshine In Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  48. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Supremes, The Temptations - Together Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  49. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Supremes - Cream of the Crop Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  50. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Supremes, The Temptations - On Broadway Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  51. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Supremes - Captured Live on Stage! Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  52. ^ "DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES AND THE TEMPTATIONS". Official Charts. February 4, 1969.
  53. ^ "Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com.
  54. ^ "The Temptations | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
  55. ^ "The Supremes | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
  56. ^ "The Supremes | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
  57. ^ "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (song by Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com.
  58. ^ "I'll Try Something New (song by Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com.
  59. ^ "The Weight (song by Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com.
  60. ^ "I Second That Emotion (song by Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com.
  61. ^ "Why (Must We Fall in Love) (song by Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com.
  62. ^ "The Supremes - Right On Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  63. ^ "The Supremes, The Four Tops - The Magnificent 7 Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  64. ^ "The Supremes - New Ways But Love Stays Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  65. ^ "The Supremes, The Four Tops - The Return of the Magnificent 7 Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  66. ^ "The Supremes - Touch Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  67. ^ "The Four Tops, The Supremes - Dynamite Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  68. ^ "The Supremes - Floy Joy Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  69. ^ "The Supremes - The Supremes Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  70. ^ "The Supremes - High Energy Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  71. ^ "Up the Ladder to the Roof (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  72. ^ "Everybody's Got the Right to Love (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  73. ^ "Stoned Love (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  74. ^ "River Deep - Mountain High (song by The Supremes & Four Tops) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  75. ^ "Nathan Jones (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  76. ^ "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.
  77. ^ "Touch (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  78. ^ "Floy Joy (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  79. ^ "Automatically Sunshine (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  80. ^ "Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  81. ^ "He's My Man (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  82. ^ "Where Do I Go from Here (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  83. ^ "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.
  84. ^ "High Energy (song by The Supremes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.

References[edit]

External links[edit]