The Supremes receive Randolph well. In April 1967, Gordy then contacted Cindy Birdsong, a member of Patti LaBelle & the Blue Belles who superficially resembled Ballard, with plans to bring her in as Ballard's replacement. He made his plans clear to Ballard and her group mates at a mid-April meeting, and Birdsong was brought in to begin rehearsals. Gordy did not fire Ballard outright at that time, asking Ballard instead to quit on her own. Birdsong first appeared with the Supremes in Ballard's place at a benefit concert at the Hollywood Bowl on April 29, 1967. Following the performance, Gordy quickly learned
Larry Birdsong Larry Birdsong Lawrence E. Birdsong (June 15, 1934 – August 7, 1990) was an American R&B singer who recorded between the 1950s and 1970s. His biggest hit was "Pleadin' For Love", which reached the "Billboard" R&B chart in 1956. He was born in Pulaski, Tennessee, into a musical family; all his brothers and singers also sang. As a teenager, he was sent to Pikeville Reformatory School, but was discovered by Nashville music promoter Ted Jarrett, who later claimed that he managed to secure Birdsong's release from probation by signing him to a recording contract for Excello Records. He first recorded