Kaaren Ragland
Encyclopedia
Kaaren Ragland is the founder of a group called The Sounds of the Supremes.
After the Motown group The Supremes
disbanded in 1977, former Supreme Mary Wilson
hired Kaaren Ragland as a back-up singer for a European tour in 1978. Mary continued to tour with Ragland and another back-up singer until the mid-1980s, performing in the US, Canada, South America, Japan and Europe.
In 1989, Ragland formed a group called “The Sounds of the Supremes”. Mary Wilson believes that no artist should use the Supremes name unless she performed as a member of "The Supremes" and was signed to Motown by contract. Ragland asserts that despite the fact that the group The Supremes officially disbanded in 1977, “the group carried on”. Ragland claims that while she toured with Mary Wilson for eight years, the group was billed by promoters as “The Supremes”. Wilson sued Ragland to prevent the use of the name "The Supremes," but the court found in Ragland’s favor, granting Ragland the right to use the name “The Sounds of the Supremes". So today, Kaaren Ragland plus two other singers perform as "The Sounds of the Supremes". In many cases, however, the group is incorrectly billed as "The Supremes."
An article about an October 2009 performance at the Arcadia Theater in Windber, Pennsylvania, incorrectly states that “The show features Kaaren Ragland, a member of the Supremes from 1977 to 1985” and quotes Ragland: "We're not a tribute act. We're a spin-off because I was in the Supremes".
The website for Sounds of the Supremes erroneously states: “As a member of The Supremes from 1977 Kaaren Ragland performed at the London Palladium and many other venues… In the '80's she appeared with The Supremes before Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret in London…” Some booking agencies for the Sounds of the Supremes state “Since 1989 The Sounds of the Supremes led by Kaaren Ragland, a former member of original Supreme Mary Wilson's 70s/80s group…” whereas another states “The {Sounds of the Supremes] show features former members of the Supremes, whose vocals and choreography bring an authenticity to the show.”
There is variation in the group’s advertising, as well. For appearances at Disney World, the billing is “The Sounds of the Supremes - A Tribute to The Supremes.” However, at times when appearing outside the US, the group is incorrectly billed as “The Supremes.”
. On the last page of the set package, the names of the nine "official" Supremes are listed. As Ragland is NOT mentioned, this puts to end any speculation whether or not Kaaren was ever considered a Supreme.
Biography
Kaaren Ragland was born in Richmond, Virginia. She studied acting at Boston University’s School of Fine Arts. She appeared in the Broadway production of "Eubie" with Cab Calloway, and appeared in productions of “Little Shop of Horrors” and "Balm in Gilead" in Los Angeles.After the Motown group The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
disbanded in 1977, former Supreme Mary Wilson
Mary Wilson (singer)
Mary Wilson is an American singer, formerlymember of the Motown female singing group The Supremes during the 1960s and 1970s. Wilson was the only singer to be a consistent member of the group in its eighteen-year tenure...
hired Kaaren Ragland as a back-up singer for a European tour in 1978. Mary continued to tour with Ragland and another back-up singer until the mid-1980s, performing in the US, Canada, South America, Japan and Europe.
In 1989, Ragland formed a group called “The Sounds of the Supremes”. Mary Wilson believes that no artist should use the Supremes name unless she performed as a member of "The Supremes" and was signed to Motown by contract. Ragland asserts that despite the fact that the group The Supremes officially disbanded in 1977, “the group carried on”. Ragland claims that while she toured with Mary Wilson for eight years, the group was billed by promoters as “The Supremes”. Wilson sued Ragland to prevent the use of the name "The Supremes," but the court found in Ragland’s favor, granting Ragland the right to use the name “The Sounds of the Supremes". So today, Kaaren Ragland plus two other singers perform as "The Sounds of the Supremes". In many cases, however, the group is incorrectly billed as "The Supremes."
An article about an October 2009 performance at the Arcadia Theater in Windber, Pennsylvania, incorrectly states that “The show features Kaaren Ragland, a member of the Supremes from 1977 to 1985” and quotes Ragland: "We're not a tribute act. We're a spin-off because I was in the Supremes".
The website for Sounds of the Supremes erroneously states: “As a member of The Supremes from 1977 Kaaren Ragland performed at the London Palladium and many other venues… In the '80's she appeared with The Supremes before Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret in London…” Some booking agencies for the Sounds of the Supremes state “Since 1989 The Sounds of the Supremes led by Kaaren Ragland, a former member of original Supreme Mary Wilson's 70s/80s group…” whereas another states “The {Sounds of the Supremes] show features former members of the Supremes, whose vocals and choreography bring an authenticity to the show.”
There is variation in the group’s advertising, as well. For appearances at Disney World, the billing is “The Sounds of the Supremes - A Tribute to The Supremes.” However, at times when appearing outside the US, the group is incorrectly billed as “The Supremes.”
Statement From Motown/Universal
On May 17, 2011, Motown/Universal released the Supremes 3 cd-boxed set, Let Yourself Go: The '70s Albums, Vol 2 - 1974–1977: The Final SessionsLet Yourself Go: The '70s Albums, Vol 2 - 1974–1977: The Final Sessions
Let Yourself Go, the follow-up box set to This Is the Story: The '70s Albums, Vol. 1 – 1970–1973: The Jean Terrell Years, comprises The Supremes' albums from 1974 - 1977, featuring original member Mary Wilson, long time member Cindy Birdsong, newest member Scherrie Payne, and final Supreme Susaye...
. On the last page of the set package, the names of the nine "official" Supremes are listed. As Ragland is NOT mentioned, this puts to end any speculation whether or not Kaaren was ever considered a Supreme.
Personnel
- Kaaren Ragland, Kathy Merrick, Althea Burkhalter
- Former members; Roberta Freeman, Van Jewel
Albums
Live At The Highclere Castle (2007)- 1. Symphony
- 2. You Keep Me Hanging On
- 3. Where Did Our Love Go
- 4. Love Child
- 5. Love Is Here And Now You're Gone
- 6. Reflections
- 7. Stoned Love
- 8. You Can't Hurry Love
- 9. Come See About Me
- 10. Back In My Arms Again
- 11. Baby Love
- 12. Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart
- 13. Stop In The Name Of Love
- 14. Someday We'll Be Together
- 15. I Hear A Symphony
- 16. Symphony Reprise