eBook
Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
Related collections and offers
Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781524695439 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 06/05/2017 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 52 |
| File size: | 159 KB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
My dream of Florence Ballard. A Detroit.
It all started on August 22, 1983. Little teenager growing up in Detroit Michigan, wise and very musically inclined. I was always asking my mom questions about the 1960s movement and the music. I was always infatuated about Motown music as it sounded so soulful and most of all I was head over heels hearing the story of the Supremes.
The story of Florence Ballard always capture my ears. I wanted to hear more about her. I found her to be very fascinating. I mean she grew up in Detroit in the Brewster projects and she also went to school here in Detroit Michigan and she had a dream of being a star and that really captures my heart. I always tried to understand what she was trying to become in her time performing with Diana Ross, and Mary Wilson.
As my mom started to tell me the story of Ms. Ballard. I would interrupt my mom by saying, mom when was she born? My mom would laugh and say Florence Ballard was born on June 30th in 1943. She was the 9th child of many.
Flo Detroit Michigan in 1958, my mom would say are you sure you want to hear her story? Yes I would say, please tell me more. Well Florence Ballard was so beautiful and she had a shape of an hour glass. She was electrifying especially when she sang. Her voice was full of soul.
She was a class act my mom would say. Nobody could compare to her cheerful smile, and classy attire.
Florence started out singing in the neighborhood Church, where she attended with her family on Sundays. She was always singing even at home or walking to school. She love singing. Milton Jenkins is a singer in the Motown group called, The Primes. Who will be known now as the temptations. He said that he was looking to start an all girl duo. Maxine couldn't wait to tell Florence the exciting news. When Maxine told Florence she said, can I audition for him? Yes replied Maxine. Florence auditioned for Milton Jenkins, he love her. He told Florence he love her voice and he ask Florence would she be interested in forming an all female group. He thought she would be perfect singing in a female group. Florence thought that it was a great ideal and she couldn't wait to get started she knew exactly who to start.
The group which she knew that Diana and Mary would be great starting this new sound and of course Florence was right. The girls thought it was a great ideal.
There name, The Primettes was great for the group after all they were name after The Primes. The Primes were performing all over the motor city. Finally Florence thought, my dreams are all coming through. Later on a singer named Betty Mcglown sang in the group but in 1962 Betty left the group and she was later replaced by Barbra Martin, but Barbra later decided to leave the group and the girls remain a three ladies group being Florence, Diana and Mary. Later, there name would change to a female quartet called, The Supremes.
Florence Ballard sang with the Supremes on 16 top 40 hit singles including 10 number ones they were all hits. The Supremes were mega stars. The group was performing all over the world, but she felt inside that something is not right and wondered why she was feeling out of place. She felt that she was not wanted anymore in the Supremes. She wondered if she was feeling anxiety from all the fame and publicity about being a member of the Supremes.
All the talk about her performances of being under the influence of alcohol and feeling insecure about performing next to the other ladies in the group. Florence knew she had to prove that the press was wrong about her. I mean after all she started this stardom and she was born to do this you know this music business will eat you alive if you let it. As my mom continued telling me the story about Florence Ballard I could only wonder why? I mean, how could a diamond like her that shined, turned into such madness and sadness? As I listen to my mom, she said to me. Well little girl, do you want to hear the sadness of the end of such electrifying beauty? Why, yes mom I would really like to so please tell me more. As my mom lighted up her last cigarette, she said, just like all the other ones the good dies young. What do you mean mom? What did she do of a broken heart?
Yes, my mom replied. She was just too broken. I mean, yes she was getting the pieces together but the storm of fame continued to break her heart. Florence Ballard was found droll on February 22, 1976 in her home. Some say, she was murdered. Some say she was just simply tired of the fame game. I say she died from a broken heart. I mean does it matter how she died?
What should matter is, she was here such a short time and her legacy should live on through those who love and adore her talent. And yes, remembering every song and melody that sung at every karaoke club and every oldies. But goodies radio DJ spinning you can't hurry love and every video of every Ed Sullivan show watching all the Motown stars. Wow what greatness, how could we forget what rock n roll has done to path the way of music today.
As my mom wipe her tears of her vocalize memory of Motown in the city of Detroit Michigan. As she put out her cigarette she smile and said now little girl was that a great bedtime story? Yes mom it was, I answered. As I walk slowly and solely and console to my dark room, I could only think about Florence Ballard. I felt like I have to do something to help her musical a memory. I mean how I could just not do something to contribute to her Melody.
As I put on the Supremes old 45 record to serenade myself to sleep, I could hear her voice calling my name Jamie, hey Jamie. What! really? Am I freaking out or did I really hear her voice? Oh my god I gotta stop drinking this homemade Kool-Aid.
As I toss and turn clutching to my pillows so very tight. I serenade off to a world of mystic musical instruments, the sound of the 1960s. There I was standing on the street called, the Boulevard. I stop and pinch myself. Oh my god, where am I? As I turned around, the sign read. Welcome everyone, welcome! Come one come all. But what's welcome? I mean welcome to what? The sign read, welcome to Detroit, the detour. As I started walking I could see the old buildings that used to be like they were here right in front of me.
I could see all the people walking dress up in style. They were walking towards me. They didn't even stop to look at me. They were singing in harmony on the street corners. They were hanging out at the parks, drinking and smoking and timing. I wondered did I go back into time? Yes I definitely did. It was outrageous, I mean the streets were clean and beautifully presented with street cleaners. Wow no burn up homes no burn up buildings. Detroit was beautiful.
Wow how could this had happen to me? As I walked to this beautiful singing voice. I couldn't believe what I saw. There was this girl as lovely as could be singing in a tree by a tall street light she looked to be about 16 she sounded so beautiful her voice was so soulful. I couldn't believe that such a vocalize voice like her could come out her mouth. As I stared at her she never looked at me. I wondered could she even see me.
I heard a woman scream out at 3rd floor window. Florence she called looking up in the tree at the girl singing, Florence Ballard. Yes momma, I heard the girl say. Her mom then replied, girl you better get your tail out that tree. And come up here right this minute. Mr. Bob is coming soon, and you know we have to mend these outfits' for the picnic talent show. Okay momma, the girl replied.
Oh my god no this couldn't be! Oh my goodness no way, am I really looking at Florence Ballard? My god I went back into time. Oh my god, I got to stop her and and oh my goodness what do I say? What do I do? No this couldn't be. As she climb out the tree she mumbled to herself why do I have to mend Mr. Bob's outfits. He's just going to complain that it's too tight. It doesn't feel right. That man is never satisfied. Instead of mending his outfit. He needs to lose some weight. Then maybe it will fit better. I just laugh when I heard her say that.
As Florence walked upstairs to her apartment. She was humming this great Melody. I followed her just like a shadow. I screamed, Ms. Ballard! Hey Ms. Ballard. But she didn't reply. I ran in front of her and I said, hey peek a boo, I see you.
But like a ghost she didn't know I was there. No way had I said, really am I dead? I mean I know my cool aide was sweet but did I drank too much of it? Did I die in my sleep? Oh no what about my mom? Oh no she will be looking for me. Oh no god, I shouted! You gotta wake me up from this crazy dream. I mean no one can see me or hear me but I'm here. I can hear and see myself.
I thought this was a hallucination. Yeah that's what it is, I'm having a hallucination. It's not real.
But suddenly, I see two men walking up the street. One guy was just laughing and telling the other guy, hey Jessie, he called out. You want to go and hangout at the old jukebox tonight on 2nd street? Sure, Jessie replied. Maybe I will get up there and play my old guitar. Why not, the other guy said. We could do that old favorite song. Sure! Jessie Sadiron, by the way, will your little one be performing this week at the Palmer picnic? Oh yeah we will be there, Jessie replied. Oh my goodness what Florence will be performing tonight with her dad? Oh my, I got to see her. As I ran towards her home I could hear her rehearsal singing in her bedroom mirror, pretending she was in front of a screaming dancing crowd. And there I was staring into this mystical wonder land.
Wondering how did I get here? I pinch myself again and again. What, I can't wake up? Running in circles, hear her mom say Florence, but Florence didn't answer. She was taking by her new found groove. Florence her momma shouted! Florence, Florence, her momma shouted. Oh yes momma, yes momma, Florence replied?. Her momma then shouted. Are you up there in that mirror again? Florence replied, no momma I'm not. Her mom then said, girl you better get yourself down on these stairs so I can mend and sew that dress. You know your father loves to be on time for his palmer park shows. I'm coming momma, Florence replied running so fast down the stairs she almost fell. Running super fast momma. Momma? Florence said, can I please stay at the palmer block show until it's over? Florence, mom said. I don't know about that. You know you still have to get up on time for school. Oh momma, please let me stay. I promise to get up on time and I'll even get up an extra hour early. Please, momma. Please pretty please, Florence begs and begs. I stood there as if I was a statue not doing anything but staring in amazement with my fingers cross praying that her momma would say yes. Okay you can stay Florence, mom shouted. But you better get up early for that school bus you know, I have to make your father's lunch and I have to make his breakfast and make your breakfast. And oh I forgot, I got to have the ironing and the mending and the sewing. And oh, I got to work, Florence momma shouted. And in amazement, Florence momma started dancing and singing her own song, it went. You know, I got to work I got to work mum Hamm, I got to work work. Come on Florence sing it with me. And they both started singing the musical lyrical, I got to work we got to work. Can't nobody screaming my mom to wake me up. And suddenly, there she was. Florence was beautiful as she look in all the magazine pictures time and time again that I had seen her in. How lovely she looks. There she was singing in her bedroom mirror. She seem to not even know that she will be a famous star in her future, singing and humming a tune she wrote. Singing verse after verse.
Who said I won't be a star! Hmm, who said I won't have a pink shiny car, who said? Who said awe Hamm. Who said, I know I will go far, who said? I'm going to fly like a star in the sky. Who said? Hmmmmm who said? I won't go far? But baby you know I'm a star.
Those lyrics, those words she sang with perfect harmonious harmony were amazing. And wow her voice was beautiful like words in motion. Now I don't want to wake up. No never, I could stay here with her forever and ever. I started dancing and singing along with her. It was magnificent. And as we dance suddenly, I could hear her mom say Florence, but Florence didn't answer she was taking by her new found groove. Florence her momma shouted! Florence, Florence, her momma shouted. Oh yes momma, yes momma, Florence replied?. Her momma then shouted. Are you up there in that mirroring again? Florence replied no momma I'm not. Her mom then said, girl you better get yourself down on these stairs so I can mend and sew that dress. You know your father loves to be on time for his palmer park shows.
I'm coming momma, Florence replied running so fast down the stairs she almost fell. Running super fast momma. Momma? Florence said, can I please stay at the palmer block show until it's over? Florence, mom said. I don't know about that. You know you still have to get up on time for school. Oh momma, please let me stay. I promise to get up on time and I'll even get up an extra hour early. Please, momma. Please pretty please, Florence begs and begs.
I stood there as if I was a statue not doing anything but starring in amazement with my fingers cross praying that her momma would say yes. Okay you can stay Florence, mom shouted. But you better get up early for that school bus you know, I have to make your father's lunch and I have to make his breakfast and make your breakfast. And oh I forgot, I got to have the ironing and the mending and the sewing. And oh, I got to work, Florence momma shouted. And in amazement, Florence momma started dancing and singing her own song, it went.
You know, I got to work I got to work mum Hamm, I got to work work. Come on Florence sing it with me. And they both started singing the musical lyrical, I got to work we got to work. Can't nobody work like me baby, mum hmmm. Because I can cook and sew and tie a bow can't nobody work like I do. What you say momma? Florence sang what you say momma? I said can't nobody do it, like I do. I can look like momma during the daylight. And look like a star in the night light. Because baby I got to work. Hamm awwwwww. I got to work. That's right momma Florence laugh.
Wow, I shouted! I could stay here in the Boulevard. In this house forever. I love it here.
As Florence tried on her dress she stared out in amazement and I could hear her thoughts, she said wow mom I love it. This dress is dynamic I just have to win the palmer block show. I JUST HAVE TOO! I JUST HAVE TOO, SHE REPLIED. Florence mother hug her and said of course you will my dear. As much as you sit around here how could you not win. One thing is for sure Florence, Momma said. You can sing little girl, can't nobody do it better than you baby. Florence mom said. Well, come on Florence, mom said. You better take off that dress. We don't want you to mess up that beautiful dress. So come on Florence, mom said. We better put it away for you to wear it later.
Florence look worried. What's wrong baby? You look worried. Florence replied. Mama I'm not worried. I'm just scared. There's no need to be scared. Well everybody gets scared sometimes, performing in front of a lot of people is very hard I know. You would wonder what people are going to say but don't worry you will do good. Florence mother seem to have a way with words. Well, here comes your Father. Hey Daddy! Florence said, happy to see you. Hey little girl, are you ready for the summer Park picnic show? Yes, Daddy! I am so excited. I can't wait to get up there and sing with you, Daddy. Me, too darling. Happy daddy will see you with me tonight freely, that's what we are. Yes, indeed! Darling we will tear the roof off. Yes, we will Daddy. I can't wait to see the crowd when they start screaming and dancing. I love when that happens. Me too. Well, I guess we'll be on our way Mama. I'm so proud of you too. Oh my goodness, you look so beautiful in that dress. Thank you, Maim. This one is for you. I don't know what I would have done and I promised mamma to be home at a decent hour and I promise to get up in the morning, Florence said to her mom. I promise not to keep you out late, Florence father replied. I know you won't honey, Florence mother replied. You know all I ever wanted to do is to see her dreams come true. I too, honey. Florence mother replied. Florence was so happy she couldn't wait to perform with her dad on stage. All Florence could do, as they got into the car was think about the talent show. When they were arriving to the talent show they notice there was a line that started in the front gate of the palmer park entrance. But to there surprise they would have to start standing far in the back of the line. Florence and her Dad were so amazed that the line was so long. Well little girl are you sure you want to do this? Florence dad, asks. Florence answered, yes daddy, I don't care if this line was up in the moon. I'm standing in this line, we just have to win. We just have to daddy.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "My Dream of Florence Ballard"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Lady jammie Desiree.
Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.