Hold That Mike ! My Nominations for the Top 3 Monthly Contest -Top 3 Lead Singers

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Diana Ross would eventually break away from the group and go solo in 1970, becoming an even bigger musical star. But she will always be remembered as the lead singer of The Supremes.

In 1988, Diana Ross was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as part of The Supremes.

To date, the group The Supremes is still considered the equal of The Beatles in terms of popularity. They earned a Star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Diana is still alive and well.

Nomination Number Two

DAVID RUFFIN

My Reasons for the Nomination

Not all musicians, musical groups, banks, and lead singers live a glorious, polished life, following a straight and narrow path. After all, they are just human being, men and women with different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, as we have. But their musical talent is non-the-less recognized and appreciated by all. Such was the life of Davis (David) Ruffin.

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David was an American soul singer who began his writing career as a teenager. He left home at age 13 to become a minister. But his love of music took him to Memphis, Tennessee where he wrote songs and sang in talent shows. He was extremely talented, had a raspy voice, and an outgoing personality. By the time he was 17, David had caught the attention of Berry Gordy of Motown Records.

I grew up listening to the music of The Temptations and followed the history of the group. The Temptations had a slow start in their climb to fame. The original group consisted of Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Elbridge Bryant, Otis Williams, and Paul Williams. Bryant's departure from the group in 1963 opened the door for David to step in and become the lead singer.

In 1965, David Ruffin, with the beautifully choreographed performances, were the best of any singing groups of the era with these hits songs:

• I Wish It Would Rain
• My Girl
• Ain't Too Proud to Beg
• Beauty is Only Skin Deep

The group appeared on American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show, and appeared internationally as well. Just to give you a glimpse of David's unique voice, stage persona, and the group's seemingly effortless dance moves that propelled them to the top of the list in terms of male vocal groups, below are two of the group's music videos in which they perform their number 1 hit hit songs:

Music Video for the hit single "I Wish It Would Rain":

Music Video below for "My Girl:

In 1989, David Ruffin, together with five other members of the Temptations, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Two years later he died of a drug overdose. He was ranked as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of all Times by Rolling Stones Magazine in 2008.³

Nomination Number Three

GRACE SLICK

My Reasons for the Nomination

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Grace Slick is an American songwriter and singer. She has an amazing voice. I love Rock and Roll, and I especially like all female rock and roll musicians. Grace is from California. She actually formed her own group in 1965. When her group folded in 1966, she caught the attention of Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead.⁴

She was asked to join Jefferson Airplane, the group who was also based in California during the 60s. The group was categorized as "psychedelic rock". They recruited Grace because they felt she possessed a powerful voice and knew she'd be an excellent addition to their psychedelic sound. They were right. With Grace leading the group, Jefferson Airplane was the first to achieve international success due to their appearances at Woodstock and other international music festivals.

In 1967 Jefferson Airplane's album, Surrealistic Pillow, ranked as the most influential recording during the "Summer of Love". Two songs from that album, Somebody to Love and White Rabbit are among Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." ⁵

Grace wrote the song White Rabbit, one of Jefferson Airplane's greatest hits. She also co-wrote Somebody to Love. If you haven't heard of Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane, or those two songs, here are the music videos for both, as I feel you'll get a sense of her amazing talent as a singer.

Official video for Somebody to Love

Official video for White Rabbit

Grace and other members of Jefferson Airplane were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.⁵ She is still alive and well.