Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Good stuff kept coming. This was really far from the original Motown headquarters. Now there are family members in Detroit who claims that Variety Chenevert aka NICHOLE Ballard-Jones is not the real daughter of Florence Ballard but the one name Nicole Ballard is. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. However, they claimed that something went wrong because when they were in the right age, all the fund was no longer in sight. Discrepancies of their birthdays Nicole Ballard born October 18, 1968 and Nichole Rene Ballard-Jones born December 17, 1967 both are supposed to be the twin of Michelle Ballard Chapman. She performed several times in 1975, but on February 22, 1976 she died from cardiac arrest caused by a coronary thrombosis, at the age of 32. I made the trip, returned to New York and searched eagerly through my accumulated mail for the tickets and check. Supposedly, every girl is expected to receive $10,000. [11] The Ballards moved to Detroit in 1929 as part of the Great Migration. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, Nicole Chapman But what Variety Chenevert aka Nichole Ballard found hard to believe is how did Michelle Denise Ballard Chapman outgrow her supposedly twin Nicole Renee Chapman Ballard in height by six inches? But why didnt I, an experienced journalist who had worked as an investigative reporter in Michigan and Georgia (and later as a state investigator) smell something wrong? They were unable to do that, however, and their efforts came to no fruition. Best Known For: Singer Florence Ballard formed The Supremes in 1961 with childhood friends Mary Wilson and Diana Ross. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time Why she chose my book for her deluxe treatment remains a mystery. But Spencertold me not to worry, since Jurnee Smollett, a fine actress perhaps best known for her role in the film Eves Bayou, had been selected to replace Faith. [26] In early 1961, Gordy agreed to sign them on the condition they change their name. Coolidge was shocked. The home on Pinehurst Street in Detroit is where the Supremes came together for the holidays and family reunions and family members such as Florence Maxine Jenkins, Deidre "Dee Dee" Jenkins Brown and Hank Ballard, Gary Madison Sr. aka Charlie Brown a radio personality in Columbus, Ohio a Family of Entertainers just like the Jackson's and the Slyvers and Debarge. Our Aunt Dee Dee Jenkins-Brown is the widow of the late Father of Soul James Brown. Our Cousin Gary "Charlie Brown " Madison Sr. An Columbus, OH Radio Personality. Creator: Rosenberg, Ira Resource ID: hk000257 Subject: Ballard . Prosecutor Investigator, while she was lying to me,she was also lying to someone in Cobb County, Georgia, by posing as a concert promoter. So when Spencer offered not only to arrange for the filming of the book, but to raise the money to finance the project and to pay $15,000 to my publisher and me on the first day of movie production and another $15,000 a year later, plus other sums on further down the line, neither my publisher nor I saw any reason to say no. Since writing about Ballard, Ive writtenand published a bio of Mary Wells andIm working on a bio of Rick James. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Publicity Listings Official Sites. Evans was the success that Flo could have been. When she was approved, she recruited Mary, who in turn enlisted a Brewster neighbor, Diana Ross. The sisters were thrilled when they saw a clip of their mother performing. She said every outfit in her closet we're twin outfits. [23], Later in 1960, the Primettes signed a contract with Lu Pine Records, issuing two songs that failed to perform well. As the productions start date approached a datewhich coincided with when my publishers and I were due to receive $15,000 I began to receive appropriate documents, including a detailed 24-day shooting schedule. Monique and Eboni Jones were also born and raised in Detroit and relocated to California with their mother Deborah Jones and Nichole Rosalyn Elaine (Rene) Ballard stepmom who was a Detroit Supermodel in the 1970s. On January 19, 1969, Ballard performed a show at Yorktown . Having outdone herself at the audition, Ballard was commissioned by Jenkins to find other members to form The Primes' new sister group, The Primettes. Neither had arrived. Angered, Gordy ordered her to return to Detroit, and Birdsong officially replaced her, abruptly ending her tenure with the Supremes. She was one of the founders of The Supremes. Then an Ohio woman messaged me via Facebook to say shed been visited by Spencer and other fundraisers for the movie. From an early age, Ballard aspired to be a singer and agreed to audition for a spot in the sister group and local Detroit attraction, the Primes, who were managed by Milton Jenkins. A week earlier, on February 22, Ballard and Motown negotiated for her release from the label. Ballard reacted by secluding herself in her house and refusing to come outside, which worried her groupmates. [28], The group struggled in their early years with the label,[29] releasing eight singles that failed to crack the Billboard Hot 100, giving them the nickname "no-hit Supremes". Very soon, I had an inkling that that might be true. After winning a settlement from a slip-and-fall incident in which she had broken her leg, Ballard took the money and used it to put herself through a successful rehab and got herself back into shape. [36] Ballard married her boyfriend, Thomas Chapman, on February 29, 1968. American Singer Florence Ballard was born Florence Glenda Ballard on 30th June, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, USA and passed away on 22nd Feb 1976 Mt. Parents Lurlee Ballard, Jesse Ballard. Carmel Mercy Hospital. [9][14][9][11] Jesse, an amateur musician, helped inspire Florence's interest in singing; he taught songs to her, accompanying her on guitar. In his short story "You Know They Got a Hell of a Band", Stephen King, through the late disc jockey Alan Freed, includes Ballard as one of the deceased artists who performs in a town called "Rock and Roll Heaven". According to Spencer, Evansdid not fulfill her part of this bargain and was therefore dumped. The singer did this by putting up a trust fund which was set up for the children of the late singer. The Detroit Free Press reported that a soundtrack set to include performances by Evans, Lauryn Hill and others would accompany the film, which was budgeted at 7 million dollars. She sang, The Effie White character from the Broadway play (and film) "Dreamgirls" is loosely based on Ballard. 1972). Wikipedia . Nirvana, the Supremes, Heart Honored at Grammy Special Merit Awards: Keep On Rockin Spencerhad been applying for bank loans in the names of other people by conning personal information out of her marks, mixing her own contact information with the stolen info and then paying bank insiders to make sure the loans, which officially went to her victims, actually went to her. Ballard's short life witnessed more than its share of disappointment and sadness. In early 1975, Florence received a monetary settlement from her former attorney's insurance company, reconciled with Chapman and decided to return to singing. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. This was the juncture when Florence Ballard gained her so ever international fame as the founding member of the group, the Supremes. First, Evans quit, calling Spencera fraud without going into specifics. [31] Marvin Gaye, for whom Ballard sang backing vocals on occasion, described her as "a hell of a singer, probably the strongest of the three girls. A system error has occurred. They had a younger sister in the name of Lisa. Janie Bradford approached Ballard with a list of names to choose from before Ballard chose "Supremes". Gordy sometimes replaced Ballard on stage with the Andantes' Marlene Barrow. Later, Michelle Chapman, Ballards daughter, told me that during the final stages of Spencers con, Spencer kept asking her for her bank account number so that she could wire her money. The filming didnt start, the show didnt go on and the ghost of Florence Ballard did not reappear. What did I know about how movie producers raise money? Later, Michelle Chapman, Ballard's daughter, told me that during the final stages of Spencer's . Florence passed away on February 22 1976, . In July 1971, Ballard sued Motown for additional royalty payments she believed she was due to receive but she was defeated in court by Motown. On June 25, 1975, she performed in Detroit as a part of the Joan Little Defense League at the Henry and Edsel Ford Auditorium, backed by the female rock group 'The Deadly Nightshade', to a highly receptive crowd. Ballard released the singles "It Doesn't Matter How I Say It (It's What I Say That Matters)" and "Love Ain't Love" on ABC Records, but the singles failed to chart. Please reset your password. To my relief, the project continued. She then went on the lam, traveled to Georgia, found a place to live and called me. When. Chicago Review Press finally published the book in 2008. She saved herself from a longer sentence by cooperating with authorities on yet another fraud with which she had been involved. She was making an attempt at a musical comeback when she died of a heart attack in February 1976 at the age of 32. . The whole scam didnt even embarrass me that much. On July 1, the day after her 24th birthday, Ballard showed up inebriated during the group's third performance at the Flamingo and her stomach bulged under her suit. Ballard performed as part of the Joan Little Defense League and was backed by female rock group the Deadly Nightshade. I found it difficult to believe that this was a screenplay produced by professionals who were serious about making a movie. After spending much of her post-Supreme life on welfare, Ballard died of coronary artery thrombosis at age 32 in 1976. I reluctantly accepted this reassurance, sort of. She and Florence Ballard were friends but Flo and knew of the relationship between Deborah and Lawrence and was okay with it because they were no longer together. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. But her mother Flo once told her along with their father Lawrence Jones Nichole is the oldest and she would lead her sisters in the right direction. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Neither of the optioneers was acting on behalf of studios or indie movie producers; they had hoped to establish such ties to produce this film. Age 45 worked as a chauffeur for Berry Gordy Jr. founder of the Motown Record Corporation in Detroit Michigan Tommy was the husband of the late Florence Glenda Ballard singer an original member of the Motown group The Supremes she sang with Diana Ross and Mary Wilson) father of three children three daughters Lisa Michelle and Nicole Chapman After a couple years performing at sock hops and jubilees, the group signed with Motown Records as The Supremes, a name chosen by Ballard, on January 15, 1961. I hung a framed copy of that picture in my Manhattan apartment and prayed to it daily. In 1988, Ballard was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Supremes alongside Diana Ross and Mary Wilson. Carmel Mercy Hospital, complaining of numbness in her extremities. She sang on 16 different Top 40 hits. All Rights Reserved. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. There is another woman who claims to be the firstborn twin daughter of the late Supreme Florence Ballard as well and her name is also Nichole Rosalyn Elaine (Rene) Ballard-Jones aka VARIETY Chenevert who is the original creator of the hit films Set It Off and Booty Call.Florence Ballard and her daughter NICHOLE Rene Ballard. Her parents Florence Ballard and her father Lawrence Jones didn't keep money in the bank that's why their were piggy banks full of money and money always in the home. [40] Ballard is buried in Detroit Memorial Park Cemetery in Warren, Michigan. Family members linked to this person will appear here. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. cemeteries found in Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. She sang on 16 different Top 40 hits. Harris purchased a six-month option on The Lost Supreme for $100, but agreed to pay much larger amounts when and if the book was produced as a film or television project. With three young girls at home and no income, she eventually had to file for welfare. Matt Gaetz Called Out for Citing Chinese Propaganda in Hearing It certainly was recognition that Spencer had to fear, and it was recognition that finally brought her down. Florence Glenda Wilson Ballard was born and grew up in Detroit. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. The Supremes, Nirvana, Nile Rodgers Named 2023 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients NICHOLE Ballard vs Nicole Ballard Who's the REAL daughter of Florence Ballard from AKASHI MEDIA BLOG Entertainment Variety Chenevert aka Nichole Rosalyn Elaine (Rene) DNA Ancestry Test Results Date: January 17, 20 California Public Storages Corporation Management or Employees Has No Real Estate License. After being accepted, Ballard recruited Mary Wilson to join Jenkins' group. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Wilson believes that the incident heavily contributed to the self-destructive aspects of Ballard's adult personality, like cynicism, pessimism, and fear and distrust of others,[22] but the rape was never mentioned again. As author Luc Sante wrote in his introduction to the 1999 edition of David Maurers seminal study on confidence men and their scams,The Big Con, The best con artists possess a combination of superior intelligence, broad general knowledge, acting ability, resourcefulness, physical vigor and improvisational skills that would have propelled them to the top of any profession. He could certainly have been describing Spencer on the rise. Florence Glenda Chapman (ne Ballard; June 30, 1943 February 22, 1976) was an American singer and a founding member of the Motown vocal female group the Supremes. In the 2013 Motown: The Musical Broadway stage play that launched on April 14, Ballard was portrayed by Sydney Morton. This account has been disabled. On February 21, 1976, she was checked into Detroit's Mt. The moment Florence Ballard died because of heart attack in the year 1976, there were many people who were seen in the funeral. Trending "I believe my sister was murdered. Jennifer Hudson won a Golden Globe Award and Academy Award for her portrayal of Effie White in the Dreamgirls film. On welfare and on the beers, Florence Ballard died of coronary artery thrombosis in February 1976, 8 years to the day since signing her life as a Supreme away. Our Rock & Roll Hall of Famer cousin Hank Ballard aka John Henry. This included Diana Ross. [33] Struggling to cope with the label's demands and her own depression, Ballard turned to alcohol for comfort, leading to arguments with Ross and Wilson. 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