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Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas · Martha and the Vandellas, from 1967 to 1973 Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, was an American girl group from Detroit that began in 1957. The friends Annette Beard, Rosalind Ashford and Gloria Williams first sang as the Del-Phis on local stages, in churches and at schools. Martha Reeves joined and became lead singer in 1962, when Williams left. In 1960 Reeves had already had a first recording contract with Checker Records, but those records disappeared without trace. She then auditioned at Motown, where the group signed to the subsidiary label Gordy Records.

Music and breakthrough

The hits came quickly: Heat Wave in 1963, Quicksand in 1963, Dancing in the Street in 1964, Nowhere to Run in 1965, I'm Ready for Love in 1966, Jimmy Mack and Honey Chile in 1967. Six songs reached the American top ten and thirteen the top twenty of the R&B chart, with two reaching number one. Albums include Come and Get These Memories and Heat Wave from 1963 and Dance Party from 1965. Reeves's voice, powerful and full of gospel, was out in front. The recordings came from the Hitsville USA studio, with the close-knit bond of the Motown musicians.

Influence

In 1995 members of the group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their hits remain cornerstones of the Motown sound.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Dancing in the Street and notice the driving drums, the horn-like brass and the fiery voice of Martha Reeves. Can you hear how the chorus sounds like an invitation?

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists