Effective period / Period of releases: 1956

The Supremes (Lawrence, Massachusetts)

Ralph Murphy, Alex Rocker, Boyce Foster, William Perry, Peter Lane, Javan Foster, Lee Murphy

The Supremes were a seven-man, self-contained vocal group hailing from Lawrence, Massachusetts. They formed in high school in 1955 and started performing together at local events, parties, and clubs. Their name, The Supremes, was inspired by their habit of hanging out in front of Supreme Cleaners.

In 1956, they managed to secure a one-record deal with Kitten Records, a name chosen by the group themselves. They recorded "Could This Be You" b/w "Margie" at Boston's Ace Studios. Ralph Murphy, the lead singer, brought along his uncle Lee to handle the bass vocal duties, making him the oldest member of the group at thirty.

Unfortunately, due to poor distribution, the record only sold in their immediate area, with approximately only two hundred copies pressed. Tragically, William Perry was killed in an auto accident while serving in the military in 1958.