Kaaren Ragland is the founder of a group called The Sounds of the Supremes.
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Kaaren Ragland was born in Richmond, Virginia. She studied acting at Boston University’s School of Fine Arts. She appeared in the Broadway production of "Eubie" with Cab Calloway, and appeared in productions of “Little Shop of Horrors” and "Balm in Gilead" in Los Angeles.
After the Motown group The Supremes disbanded in 1977, former Supreme Mary Wilson hired Kaaren Ragland as a back-up singer for a European tour in 1978. Mary continued to tour with Ragland and another back-up singer until the mid-1980s, performing in the US, Canada, South America, Japan and Europe.
In 1989, Ragland formed a group called “The Sounds of the Supremes”. Mary Wilson believes that no artist should use the Supremes name unless she performed as a member of "The Supremes" and was signed to Motown by contract. Ragland asserts that despite the fact that the group The Supremes officially disbanded in 1977, “the group carried on”. Ragland claims that while she toured with Mary Wilson for eight years, the group was billed by promoters as “The Supremes”. Wilson sued Ragland to prevent the use of the name "The Supremes," but the court found in Ragland’s favor, granting Ragland the right to use the name “The Sounds of the Supremes".[1] So today, Kaaren Ragland plus two other singers perform as "The Sounds of the Supremes". In many cases, however, the group is incorrectly billed as "The Supremes."
An article about an October 2009 performance at the Arcadia Theater in Windber, Pennsylvania, incorrectly states that “The show features Kaaren Ragland, a member of the Supremes from 1977 to 1985” and quotes Ragland: "We're not a tribute act. We're a spin-off because I was in the Supremes". [2]
The website for Sounds of the Supremes erroneously states: “As a member of The Supremes from 1977 Kaaren Ragland performed at the London Palladium and many other venues… In the '80's she appeared with The Supremes before Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret in London…” Some booking agencies for the Sounds of the Supremes state “Since 1989 The Sounds of the Supremes led by Kaaren Ragland, a former member of original Supreme Mary Wilson's 70s/80s group…” [3] whereas another states “The {Sounds of the Supremes] show features former members of the Supremes, whose vocals and choreography bring an authenticity to the show.” [4]
There is variation in the group’s advertising, as well. For appearances at Disney World, the billing is “The Sounds of the Supremes - A Tribute to The Supremes.” [5] However, at times when appearing outside the US, the group is incorrectly billed as “The Supremes.”[6]
On May 17, 2011, Motown/Universal released the Supremes 3 cd-boxed set, Let Yourself Go: The '70s Albums, Vol 2 - 1974–1977: The Final Sessions. On the last page of the set package, the names of the nine "official" Supremes are listed. As Ragland is NOT mentioned, this puts to end any speculation whether or not Kaaren was ever considered a Supreme.
Live At The Highclere Castle (2007)
