The Supremes | Live on Shindig (1965) – “Stop! In The Name Of Love”

This is a video of The Supremes singing their 4th #1 hit in a row “Stop! In The Name Of Love” live on Shindig in 1965.

This performance of the song is easily the most gothic and dark thanks to the dark background, simplistic set and Mary Wilson being louder on the backing than Florence Ballard.

This performance features the original (and most popular) lineup of The Supremes:
From left to right:
– Diana Ross
– Mary Wilson
– Florence Ballard

“Stop! In The Name of Love” was first released as a single in 1965 becoming a smash hit and one of The Supremes most notable recordings and one of the most well known songs of the 20th century. The Supremes’ choreography for this song, with one hand on the hip and the other outstretched in a “stop” gesture, is equally legendary. Paul Williams and Melvin Franklin of The Temptations taught the girls the routine backstage in London, before the Supremes’ performance on the BBC television special The Sound of Motown, hosted by Dusty Springfield.

The song was featured on their “More Hits by The Supremes” album released in 1965 that was actually a regular studio album although its title implies it is a hits compilation. Stop! Wasnt the only #1 on More Hits as their 5th #1 in a row “Back In My Arms Again” is also featured on that album as well as the top 20 hit “Nothing But Heartaches” that is notorious for breaking the string of #1s The Supremes had created along with song writing/producing team Holland-Dozier Holland (or HDH).

Here is the chart information for the “More Hits by The Supremes” album and its singles:
“More Hits by The Supremes”:
US Pop Albums Chart: #6
US R&B Albums Chart: #2

“Stop! In the Name of Love” b/w “I’m In Love Again” (Motown 1074, February 8, 1965):
US Billboard Pop Singles Chart: #1
US Billboard R&B Singles Chart: #2
UK Singles Chart: #7

“Back in My Arms Again” b/w “Whisper You Love Me Boy” (Motown 1075, April 15, 1965):
US Billboard Pop Singles Chart: #1
US Billboard R&B Singles Chart: #1
UK Singles Chart: #40

“Nothing But Heartaches” b/w “He Holds His Own” (Motown 1080, July 16, 1965):
US Billboard Pop Singles Chart: #11
US Billboard R&B Singles Chart: #6