US vocal group, pioneers of the Motown sound,
formed 1959 in Detroit. Beginning in 1962,
the group was a trio comprising, initially,
Diana Ross (1944-), Mary Wilson (1944-), and
Florence Ballard (1943-1976). One of the most
successful female groups of the 1960s, they
had a string of pop hits beginning with
`Where Did Our Love Go?' 1964 and `Baby Love'
1964. Diana Ross left to pursue a solo career
1969.