SUSAYE GREENE

Susaye Greene is an American singer and songwriter. She was the last official member to join the Motown girl group The Supremes, remaining in the group during its final year of existence from 1976 to 1977. She is a successful songwriter as well, having written hit records for Michael Jackson, Deniece Williams, and many others.

Early life and career

Born in Houston, Texas, Greene began her professional career at age 12. As a teenager, she moved to New York City where she attended Professional Children School, graduating in 1966 and later from the New York City High School of Performing Arts, and appeared in various commercials. Prior to joining The Supremes, Greene sang with Ray Charles’ Raelettes and Stevie Wonder’s Wonderlove, which paired her with Deniece Williams and Shirley Brewer. In 1973 she sang lead as a guest vocalist on New Birth’s hit “Until It’s Time for You to Go” (a cover of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s song). In 1975 she co-wrote “Free”, Williams’ breakthrough single.

The Supremes

Greene was a member of The Supremes from February 1976 to June 1977 (replacing Cindy Birdsong), and performed on their last two albums, High Energy and Mary, Scherrie & Susaye. Working alongside original member Mary Wilson and Scherrie Payne, Susaye quickly found her niche in the group and amongst the group’s legions of fans. Susaye took lead on “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” in the group’s live shows, which never failed to garner a standing ovation, and recorded “High Energy”, the title song from the High Energy album. On June 12, 1977, the Supremes performed their farewell concert at the Drury Lane Theater in London and disbanded.

After The Supremes

In 1979, two years after The Supremes disbanded, Greene recorded a duet album with Payne entitled Partners under the name “Scherrie & Susaye”. She also hosted her own cable television show, Hollywood Hot, and continued writing for various artists. One of her most noteworthy compositions was the track “I Can’t Help It”, co-written with Stevie Wonder for Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall.

While touring England in 1984 with Wonder, Greene met her present husband in London and relocated there. In 1986, she sang lead on jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine’s single “Children of the Ghetto”. She signed with Ian Levine’s Motorcity label, based in the United Kingdom, in 1989. She released two solo singles on Motorcity – “Stop, I Need You Now” in 1990, and her own version of “Free” in 1991. She also recorded the duet “It’s Impossible” with Billy Eckstine. An unreleased demo recording of “Don’t Pity The Fool” also exists, although no vocals were added. On July 5, 2014, Greene, along with Payne performed at the Sheraton in Los Angeles a concert program based on their album “Partners” which was released by Motown in 1979. They were featured in the magazine Daeida, with a photo shoot. The article chronicled career highlights with the Supremes and separately and the re-release of their “Partners” album on CD.

In October 2017, Greene replaced Lynda Laurence in the Former Ladies of the Supremes alongside Payne and Joyce Vincent Wilson.

On June 14, 2024, Payne reported that Greene had departed the group to spend time on her “entrepreneurial endeavors”, and Laurence would be returning to the group.

Solo albums

Around the turn of the new millennium, Greene moved back to the United States, and in 2002, she finally released her first solo album, No Fear Here. Two singles and a video were released to critical acclaim. Greene penned most of the album herself. Susaye Greene released her second solo album, Brave New Shoes, in 2005.