They performed an audition for Berry Gordy at Motown, but he declined to sign them saying they looked better than they sang, and to come back when they had finished high school. They recorded material on the Lu-Pine label which subsequently remained unreleased until the late '60's. The label owner had effectively signed them so they could be used as backing singers for his other artists - such as Eddie Floyd and Wilson Pickett.
After recording backing vocals for artist such as Eddie Floyd, Don Revel, and Gene Martin, original member Travis was replaced by Barbara Martin in 1960.
A second audition at Motown was more successful following a recommendation from Smokey Robinson, and they were eventually signed in 1961. After a few Motown recordings as the Primettes, their name was changed to the Supremes, and many major worldwide hits followed.
The Primettes material has most recently surfaced on a Supremes CD box-set spanning both early recordings and the post-Diana Ross years of the 1970's.
IF YOU LIKE THESE, YOU'LL LIKE THE PRIMETTES: Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Shirelles, The Crystals, The Ronettes, The Chiffons, The Marvelettes, Smokey Robinson.