The Supremes were an American
female singing group and the premier act of
Motown Records during the 1960s. Founded as
the Primettes in
Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, the Supremes were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and are, to date, America's most successful
vocal group with 12 number one singles on the
Billboard Hot 100. Most of these hits were written and produced by Motown's main songwriting and production team,
Holland–Dozier–Holland. At their peak in the mid-1960s, the Supremes rivaled
the Beatles in worldwide popularity, and it is said that their success made it possible for future African American
R&B and soul musicians to find mainstream success.