Susaye Greene

Susaye Greene is an African-American singer, noted for being the last official member to join Motown girl group The Supremes, remaining in the group during its final year of existence from 1976 to 1977.

Biography

Early Life and career

Born in Los Angeles, and trained by the best, she began her professional career at the age of 12. After moving to New York City as a teenager, she appeared in various commercials and attended and graduated from the High School of Performing Arts (made famous in the musical Fame). Greene was a member of the Supremes from 1976 to 1977, and performed on their last two albums, High Energy and Mary, Scherrie & Susaye.

Prior to joining the Supremes, Greene sang with Ray Charles' Raelettes, and Stevie Wonder's Wonderlove. In 1973, she sang lead as a guest vocalist on New Birth's first hit "Until It's Time for You to Go" (a cover of Buffy Sainte-Marie's song). A successful singer and songwriter as well, Greene has written hit records for Michael Jackson, Deniece Williams, and many others.

After The Supremes

In 1979, two years after the Supremes disbanded, Greene recorded a duet album with fellow former Supreme Scherrie Payne entitled Partners under the name "Scherrie & Susaye." She also hosted her own cable television show, Hollywood Hot, and continued writing for various artists.

While touring England in 1984 with Stevie 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" (1990) and her own version of Deniece Williams' hit "Free" (1991, which she co-wrote). At Motorcity, she also recorded several duets with Billy Eckstine, including "It's Impossible."

Solo Albums

During the turn of the century, Greene moved back to the 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.

Presence In The Online Artistic Community

Susaye Greene is also a member of the world's largest online art community, deviantART. She joined deviantART on Sept. 17, 2004 under the pseudonym "supremextreme". Her deviantART page can be viewed here.

On Sept. 21, 2005, Susaye was featured on deviantART's on-site chat network, "dAmn", for one of the community's regularly sponsored "Featured Chats". She interacted with members of the deviantART community-at-large, answering questions about her life, career, inspirations, motivations, and her time on the art site itself.

Greene continues to be an active member on deviantART and is preparing 3d images of her Supremextreme character for her first short animated feature film. She is planning to tour the U.K. in early 2006.