In 1961, Johnny and Jackey endured a failed single, unaware it would soon launch a Motown institution
Johnny Bristol and Jackey Beavers’ 1961 recording of “Someday We’ll Be Together” failed to make an impact, but the song later became a major Motown hit. Its success gave Diana Ross a launchpad for her solo career and served as a celebrated closing chapter for The Supremes.
After Berry Gordy acquired Tri-Phi, he revived the song and arranged a new recording with Bristol, Beavers and Harvey Fuqua, initially involving Junior Walker and the All-Stars. The track was ultimately released in October 1969 as “Diana Ross and The Supremes”, although the other Supremes did not perform on it. It reached number one in the US and number 13 in the UK.
In short
- A 1961 song that flopped was revived by Motown.
- Diana Ross and The Supremes’ version reached number one in the US.
- The hit helped launch Ross’s solo career.
Explained simply
Motown was a Detroit record label founded by Berry Gordy, known for shaping soul music into popular hits. The Supremes, featuring Diana Ross, were among its most successful groups, while songwriters and producers such as Johnny Bristol, Jackey Beavers and Harvey Fuqua helped create recordings for the label.
“Someday We’ll Be Together” was first recorded by Bristol and Beavers in 1961, before Gordy acquired their label, Tri-Phi. Years later, Motown revived the song and released a new recording under the name Diana Ross and The Supremes, though the other Supremes did not sing on it.
The song became a US number one and a UK hit in 1969. It is associated both with Ross’s move towards a solo career and with the end of her time as lead singer of The Supremes.