of
interviews. Ballard died in 1976, and Benjaminson tried to interest publishers in her life story. But the publishers were more interested in Benjaminson writing about the famed Motown Record Company. “The Story of Motown” was published in 1979 by Grove Press. Thirty years later, and prompted by the
Dreamgirls movie which was tailored after Diana Ross and The Supremes, publishers were ready for Ballard’s biography. “There was finally a fresh
whirlwind of fascination in the life and career of Flo, whose full story had not yet been told,” Benjaminson said. The book was published in
BENJAMINSON
Benjaminson’s story about her earned
worldwide attention and resulted in an outpouring of generosity from fans. And Benjaminson earned her trust and friendship. Ballard wanted her story told, and
Benjaminson was the man for the job. He spent eight hours with her, taping the
2008 by Lawrence Hill Books and a paperback version came out this year. It inspired the television producers of “Unsung” on TV One to contact Benjaminson and feature him in a program about Ballard’s life that aired three times in 2009. “That was a great experience because
Flo didn’t get the credit she deserved when she was alive,” Benjaminson said. “I’m working on a third book about Motown, a biography of Mary Wells (the
other Supreme) who sang “My Guy.” He didn’t have the opportunity to interview Wells before her death, but someone else did and gave Benjaminson the tapes to use for his upcoming book. He said being a writer and getting
published requires persistence. “You have to keep pounding away at things. It took 32 years for “The Lost Supreme” to get published. I am very pleased it finally worked out.” Benjaminson also co-authored
“Investigative Reporting” in 1976 which was in print for more than 20 years. He penned “Secret Police” in
1997 after working as the public relations official for the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) during the administration of Mayor David Dinkins. It’s a breezy review of what he considers some of the DOI’s
most interesting cases. Benjaminson also wrote “Death in The
Afternoon: America’s Newspaper Giants Struggle For Survival” and “Publish Without Perishing.” For more information on Benjaminson
and his books, visit www.thelostsupreme.com
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