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Barbara Martin (left) pictured with The Supremes while they were still known as The Primettes
Barbara Martin, original member of the American pop group The Supremes of the 60s, died at the age of 76.
The Detroit singer was with the group when they signed to Motown Records in 1961 and sang on most of their first album, Meet the Supremes.
The news of his death was confirmed by the group on their Facebook page.
“Our hearts go out to Barbara’s family and friends. Once supreme, always supreme,” they wrote.
Martin replaced Betty McGlown in 1960, when the quartet was still known as The Primettes and shared the lead vocals on songs like (He) Seventeen.
She left The Supremes in 1962, while pregnant, before their major breakthrough, and was not replaced.
Teammates Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson continued in trio and continued to have successes like Baby Love, Stop in the Name of Love and You Can’t Hurry Love.
Wilson responded to the news of Martin’s death by tweeting broken heart and tear emojis.
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