Supreme Quits; Ill-Health Cited
NEW YORK — Florence Ballard of the Supremes has withdrawn from the group for reasons of ill health, according to a spokesman for Tamla-Motown, the group’s recording company.
Cindy Birdsong, of Patti and the Bluebells fame, has been selected to replace Miss Ballard. This is reportedly a permanent arrangement, but Miss Birdsong has not been signed as yet. Miss Ballard, according to the spokeman, is currently hospitalized for reasons not specified at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
No further word has been given as to the nature of her stay nor how long she will remain in the hospital. Motown officials declined to divulge of any further arrangements, or of any settlement, it made with Miss Ballard regarding her withdrawal from the Supremes. END.
(Information and news source: Billboard; August 12, 1967).