Lynda Laurence Interview

[FastNFancy]

ONE ON ONE WITH LYNDA LAURENCE!
Sept 2000
Eric and I are asked many, many questions about the group whether it be via
mail, the Internet or in person. We decided to do a "one on one" interview
with Lynda Laurence and let HER answer some of the questions that we are
frequently asked.


How were you originally contacted regarding the RTL tour?

By my manager, Phil Arnold.

What was your reaction when you realized that you would be going on tour with
Diana Ross and Scherrie Payne as the Supremes 2000?

I really didn't think it was going to happen for me. Somehow I thought that
Scherrie and Cindy would get it.
But never me. I couldn't let myself believe it, until and if I got to sign
on the dotted line.

When was the first time that you actually met Diana Ross? What were the
circumstances?

I first met Diana while performing as a Supreme at the Coconut Grove in Los
Angeles CA. I think that was about 1972.

When you were chosen for this tour, many people have speculated that you were
contacted and hired prior to the promoters ever talking to Mary Wilson. It
was rumored that Diana already had plans to ask you and Scherrie to tour with
her when she came to your show in Las Vegas. Do you care to comment on the
accuracy of those statements?

As far as I know that is simply not true. True, it was not a "reunion"
show, but that has never been mentioned to me.

How did it make you feel when you read some of the negative comments by the
press and by Mary Wilson regarding this tour?

I was so unhappy about it all. After all The Supremes were the first group;
to in any way rival The Beatles. You don't hear them tearing down each
other. I was appalled by the lack of individuality of the general public.
How some of them can agree to a matter before hearing all sides.
Nevertheless, the negative press did not thrill me.

The press kept insisting that this was a reunion tour; even when the three of
you told the world otherwise in the press, on TV shows, etc. Why do you
think the press insisted on calling the tour a reunion tour?

I believe it was because of something that I read in Jet magazine, long
before the tour was even mentioned by Diana. Mary Wilson stated that there
would be a reunion. This I believe is what started the rumors. Again, I
was shocked that people are lead so easily lead. Moreover, I think it is
just irresponsible on the part of the press to show favoritism. We all have
feelings.

There were so many positive aspects of this tour. But it seems like the
press and some of the fans kept dealing with the negativity. Why do you
think society chose to deal with the negative instead of seeing the positive
side of this tour?

[FastNFancy]

Mainly because negativity sells! Just take a look at the news. In one 30
minute news report, there may be 5 seconds of something positive. The rest
is all negative. The press wants and loves to see a "cat fight" as it were.
They thrive on it. This was a great tour with great people and great music!
Isn't that what it's all about? But that is not what they wanted. So the
squeaky wheel got the grease, or shall I say the press. What a sad
commentary on society.


I've never understood why Mary Wilson continues to use the press to her
advantage by making it seem that she was the victim in all of this. She was
asked to join the tour before you were asked and she turned them down. It
has always been my opinion that she should use what press she receives to
promote herself instead of making negative comments about the tour. Do you
agree?

I most certainly do agree. Never would I have thought that the same person
who sued Scherrie and I would have aired her obvious pernicious feeling
toward Diana in public. Mary says that she doesn't want the name The
Supremes, to be drug through the mud. Well, I am sure that after all of this
a lot of people must have a bad taste in their mouths when they hear the
name. That is just awful. Diana, Scherrie nor I have ever done anything to
defame the name Supremes. We have always remained Ladies. We have not
stooped to vitriolic backbiting, name-calling and vicious slander ever! Nor
would we ever do it. We have no need to assume the roll of a victim. The
California courts and our personal pride in ourselves would never allow us to
do that. As far as the press thing goes, I think they are the ones that
would listen. After all they want to see African Americans fighting at any
cost. This was a real blow for sticking together. I suppose her motto is
every woman for herself!

It must have bothered you to read newspaper articles, and hear on TV, etc.
that you and Scherrie were sometimes dubbed "Fake Supremes," "Sub-premes",
etc. How do you deal with that, it must have bothered you.

I am not so very thin skinned. Yes at times I thought "the public is really
confused". And rightfully so. They had Mary in their face morning noon and
night, trying to explain why she turned down more than 3 million dollars, for
less than 2 months of work. I can't blame the public or the media. They
were only reporting the nasty things they were being fed. Again, this is so
sad. It just didn't have to be this way. But thanks to our close fans, and
the fact that I know who I am I was just fine.

[FastNFancy]

Tell us a bit about the tour itself. What was the most enjoyable part of the
tour?

I enjoyed the very first night when we were finally standing on that stage
together with our hands clenched in what I call a "we finally made it" pose!
I loved it! It was great! Very exhilarating and a feeling of "No matter
what they call me or say about me, I am here and I am going to do the best
show I can. " And we did!!!

I'm sure that you, Diana and Scherrie must have had some great laughs
together. While on tour, tell us about some of the zany things that happened.

At one of the first rehearsals, we were singing my favorite Supremes song,
Love is Here And Now You're Gone. I have sung this song so many times.
Well... the band sounded just like the record and after the opening I just
closed my eyes and started singing. It wasn't until Scherrie nudged me that
I realized that I wasn't singing to the record, Diana was actually singing,
and I was singing with her!!! We all laughed and started over.

On the RTL tour, did you have a favorite song or segment of the show?

Yes, I was so pleased that Diana gave us each a solo in the show. But I
think my favorite segment was near the end of the show when we all sang
Diana's version of Reach Out I'll Be There. I would get goose bumps every
night when we would do this song. I loved it!

On the first night of the tour, as you were standing on the top of the
stairway holding Diana's hand, what thoughts were going through your mind.

Because the entrance was so dramatic, walking down the stairs, I kept
thinking (along with other thoughts) I had better remember everything my
finishing school teacher, Vera Gunn, taught me about walking down stairs. I
certainly didn't want to trip that night!



What was it like to perform Up the Ladder to the Roof with a full orchestra,
to a sold out audience, at Madison Square Garden?

When I first joined the group in the 70's, we always worked with an
orchestra. In the 70's I was singing back up on one of my favorite songs.
This time I was singing lead. It was a thrill especially because Luther
Vandross was in the audience and I could see him. He was smiling and I just
loved that.

Were you nervous about it?

Not at all. Excited yes. But nervous, no. I love the excitement and roar
of the crowd. And of course I loved the gown I was wearing designed by LSO
Lynda Stokes. Thanks Lynda!

I'm sure you were thrilled with the great response that audiences gave you
during the tour. I understand that at times during the show, you could hear
everyone in the audience singing along. That must have made you feel
extremely proud. How responsive were the fans you met while on this tour?

The fans were, as usual, very responsive. They adore this music but they
don't like all of the bickering. One fan said that before Mary Wilson wrote
her books, fans loved all eight of us. Unfortunately now they seem to be
divided. How sad. I say, to those who feel they have to choose, " Don't
allow yourselves to be put in a position where you have to choose. It is
your right to enjoy the music without feelings of being pulled to and fro.
After all, it's the music that is important. Enjoy it with a smile not a
scowl."

Do you think that the high-ticket prices and the size of the venues were
responsible for the canceled tour dates?

Yes I do. There were some other extenuating factors that I am not privy to
speak about, suffice it to say they are the main reasons.

How do you think the situation could have been rectified?

Considering the "other matters" I don't know if it could have been.

Now that the tour has ended in the U.S. is there any chance that the tour may
continue in Europe?

I certainly hope so. I really don't know at the moment.

Have you had any contact with Diana since the tour ended?

Yes I have. We have spoken a few times. She is so very generous. I
received another gift from her recently. She is a wonderful person. She is
a good mother and that's what she is now concentrating on.

[FastNFancy]

I want to take you back now, back to 1986 and ask you a few questions about
the creation of the Former Ladies of The Supremes. Can you tell us how that
came about?

Scherrie was working for a record company called SuperStar International and
they wanted her to put together a group of Supremes for traveling as well as
recording. So she called Cindy and Jean. Cindy decided to pursue other
things and Jean called me. I was reluctant at first, because I had been
working as a solo artist and I knew if I were to be a part of another group I
would really be a permanent fixture. I have learned a lot about being loyal
to a group because my Father, Ira Tucker, of The Dixie Hummingbirds is still
with the group he started with 62 years ago. However, I agreed and that was
it! I am still here, along with my partner Scherrie, 13 years later!


It was rumored on the Internet recently that Mary Wilson assisted you in the
formation of the group [The Former Ladies of The Supremes] and helped you out
financially with costumes, music, etc. Do you care to comment on those
allegations?

False, False, False. Simply not true. A statement of untruth. She had
nothing to do with it at all. And I know we have paid for our own wardrobe.

Eric and I have been fortunate enough to know you for the past 3 years. We
appreciate your talent and your dedication to the Supremes legacy. We have
often times said to each other that we wish the fans would know just how
important this group is to you and what it means to you to continue
performing this legendary music. Can you elaborate more on this subject.

If I thought that Scherrie and I were doing something wrong I wouldn't be
here. I know that the music is great. Diana introduced us every night as
FLOS. I was very happy about that because she said that we have our own
history and that's true. WE have kept the music going in Supreme fashion.
We have tried very hard to keep the name clean as it were. No, we are not
originals, but we do have a history with the group and are very proud of that
fact. If Diana is happy then so am I.

Often in life we have preconceived ideas about people, we sometimes think we
know a lot about people, especially entertainers, when in truth, we don't.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about you?

That I am hard to deal with. It really saddens me when I hear that comment.
I speak my mind and I try to be very honest. That is what frightens people.
Pure Honesty! Yes I try and temper it, but I have to speak the truth;
nothing else matters. So when they say that about me I know they don't know
me. I won't try and sell myself to anyone. I am who I am.

Does it bother you that people may think that about you?

Not really...I am clear as to who I am. People who know me, know me. People
that want to have something to say, have at it. I am still me. I stand up
for myself and look after me. That's my job the way I see it. I'm neither
mean nor hurtful to anyone. I would never go on TV or anywhere else and
demean myself or anyone else.

If you could tell fans one thing about yourself that they probably don't
know, what would that be?

I like to fish! I especially like to go fishing with my Dad and cook and eat
the fish we catch. I also like to go to Aquariums. I like to entertain
people too, and I like to speak foreign languages.

What plans to you, Scherrie & Freddi have for the future?

We want to continue making good music. WE hope to make our own CD this year
or at least by next year. We're working on it.

In closing, if you could have one wish for yourself, one for the group and
one for the world, what would those wishes be?

For the group: That we continue to work more and more in the USA. Also that
we stay together and if Diana wishes that we do a tour with her in Europe, we
will go.

For the world: That people would smile more often and be more positive.
After all, we all make our choices, why not be happy about them!



Lynda Laurence, David Kramlick and Eric Iversen

[FastNFancy]

Dang.....that was a loooong article.

[SeainDennis]

I read this article before. I understand Lynda's perspective & I think Mary plays the victim one too many times but the point is that folks wanted a Supremes Reunion with original members. I still think that regardless where Diane's statue is, I think Mary should've gotten a little bit more than she was being paid. Hell, not all the Beatles made great records, with George & Ringo never becoming as established as John & Paul. Yet, if there was a reunion, I'm sure that they would've been paid equally. Lynda certainly had a right to claim right as a Supreme, since she was hired to be one. But could you imagine a Temptations reunion without David & Eddie? I still think the whole affair was handled very poorly.