Let's play a little musical genealogy, working our way backwards. Jennifer Hudson earns Oscar buzz for her performance as Effie in the 2006 movie of Dreamgirls (based on the Broadway musical) after getting the boot from "American Idol" in 2004. Jennifer Holliday, fired from the workshop production of the 1981 Broadway musical, is rehired and goes on to win the Tony for her performance as Effie. The character of Effie is based on Florence Ballard of the Supremes, who was removed as lead singer and then from the group altogether in 1967. No comeback tale in real life: Ballard died in 1976 at age 32. She had, though, recorded a solo album for ABC Records in 1968 (released only in England). A copy can be scored on eBay, where it generally goes for less than $10. An imperfect album, but you get to hear what might have been.
written on Monday Jan 15, 2007
backup,
lead,
cd.
