Florence Ballard sometimes replaced Ballard on stage with the Andantes' Marlene Barrow. In April 1967, Cindy Birdsong, member of Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles, became a stand-in for Ballard. A month later, Ballard returned to the group from what she thought was a temporary leave of absence. In June, Gordy changed the group's name to "The Supremes with Diana Ross", which was how they were billed on the marquee of Las Vegas' Flamingo Hotel. On July 1, the day after her 24th birthday, Ballard showed up inebriated during the group's third performance at the Flamingo and stuck her stomach out from
Melvin J. Ballard Melvin J. Ballard Melvin Joseph Ballard (February 9, 1873 – July 30, 1939) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). His grandson, M. Russell Ballard, also became an apostle. Ballard was born at Logan, Utah Territory, to Henry Ballard and Margaret McNeil. His father was a native of England and had immigrated to Utah in 1852 to gather with the Latter-day Saints. Henry Ballard had been aboard the "Saluda" when it exploded at Lexington, Missouri, and was injured in that incident. He later served under Porter