Florence Ballard Diana Ross, then going by "Diane". Betty McGlown completed the original lineup and Jenkins named them as "The Primettes". The group performed at talent showcases and at school parties before auditioning for Motown Records in 1960. Berry Gordy, head of Motown, advised the group to graduate from high school before auditioning again. Ballard eventually dropped out of high school though her groupmates graduated. In 1960, Ballard was raped at knifepoint by local high-school basketball player Reggie Harding after leaving a sock hop at Detroit's Graystone Ballroom (she had attended with her brother, but they accidentally lost track of each other).
Carol Ballard own business, Kite Books, which produces worksheets and teachers' resources. Carol Ballard Carol Ballard is an author of more than 80 non-fiction books. Specializing in informational books for children and teens, her focus is toward the 7- to 14-year-old group. After graduating from Leeds University in plant sciences, Ballard did post-graduate research and was awarded a PhD in Immunology. She has many years experience as a science teacher and co-ordinator and has written articles for teachers on various aspects of science teaching, and teachers' materials for classroom use. In addition to her writing, Carol works as a freelance consultant for