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Worcester Public Library Presents “Girl Power: The Supremes As Cultural Icons”

WHO: Pop Music Historian Tom Ingrassia

WHAT: Multimedia lecture presentation: "Girl Power: The Supremes as Cultural Icons"

WHEN: Sunday, March 30, 2008, at 2:00 PM

WHERE: Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester, MA

On Sunday, March 30, at 2:00 PM, Worcester Public Library will present Holden resident and pop music historian Tom Ingrassia in a multimedia lecture presentation, "Girl Power: The Supremes as Cultural Icons." The program is being presented as part of the Library's celebration of Women's History Month.

The Supremes were one of the most successful music groups-and arguable the most successful female group-of the 1960s and early ‘70s. Consisting of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and-later-Cindy Birdsong, The Supremes were trendsetters who broke down racial barriers by gaining popularity with black and white audiences alike, thus opening the doors for the artists who would follow.

The cultural effects of The Supremes are still felt around the world to this day. In 2006, DreamWorks Pictures released the motion picture adaptation of the 1981 Broadway musical, "Dreamgirls," which is loosely based on the lives of The Supremes. The film earned 8 Academy Award nominations, winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Jennifer Hudson. It went on to become one of the Top 50 grossing films worldwide of 2007.

Ingrassia worked for several years for Mary Wilson, of The Supremes. His Ingrassia Artist Management currently represents such ‘60s Girl Group members as Arlene Smith (The Chantels), Barbara Alston (The Crystals), and June Monteiro (The Toys). He has also has been associated with groups including Martha Reeves and The Vandellas and The Velvelettes. He works as a music journalist, entertainment and media outlet consultant, and motivational speaker. He has collaborated with Barbara Alston and Carl Gardner (The Coasters) on their autobiographies, both of which were published in 2007.

Ingrassia's talk, which will include archival video and audio clips, will center on the impact The Supremes made on American culture. "You can really see the huge effect The Supremes had on mainstream culture in this country-a legacy that has endured for 40 years," according to Ingrassia. "In terms of cultural and social impact-and record sales-The Supremes were right at the top. In the ‘60s, only The Beatles and Elvis sold more records than The Supremes."