Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

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Biography

Detroit, United States (1957 – 1972)

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and fully active from 1960 to present, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, rock and roll and soul.

The label’s second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were known for a churchier, more southern-styled soul than the Supremes, as typified in Motown hits such as “(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave”, “Jimmy Mack”, “I’m Ready For Love”, “My Baby Loves Me”, “Nowhere to Run”, and, their signature song, “Dancing in the Street”.

The group had its origins in Detroit, Michigan in 1957, and had initially gone by the name The Del-Phis. It originally was a quartet comprising childhood friends Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard, and original lead singer Gloria Williams. Williams left after a failed single on the Checkmate label, leaving the quartet as a trio. They changed their name to The Vells signing a deal with Motown’s Mel-o-dy label, and singing background for established Motown performers such as Mary Wells and Marvin Gaye before signing a new deal with Motown’s Gordy label on September 21, 1962, after which the group changed its name to Martha and the Vandellas.

In 1964, the Vandellas’ lineup changed with Betty Kelley replacing Sterling. In 1967, Kelley was fired and was replaced by Martha’s younger sister, Sandra “Lois” Reeves. In 1969, Ashford was also fired and replaced by Sandra Tilley.
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  • Lowbacca

    I disagree. Songs from 1962–1967 released by "Martha and The Vandellas" should be tagged that way. Songs from 1967 to 1972 released by "Martha Reeves and The Vandellas" should be tagged with that name. [2]

    9 May 2:12pm Reply

  • SuperSoulRadio

    Always been my favorite Motown female group!! "Honey Chile" one of the Best!

    25 Nov 2012 Reply

  • petuniababi

    They could do no wrong!!!

    6 Oct 2012 Reply

  • JustAKayee

    & > and

    10 Apr 2012 Reply

  • UnfortunatelyGr

    Martha Reeves/The Vandellas doesn't auto-correct like I thought it would.

    13 Feb 2012 Reply

  • willywonka091

    my favorite motown group. a former councilwoman too, man, i love detroit.

    22 Dec 2011 Reply

  • lorenzo_2

    great song!

    16 Aug 2011 Reply

  • Druid66

    Martha and her pals made the streets seem like a perfect place to dance!

    25 Jul 2011 Reply

  • nitty_look

    I think that last.fm should somehow solve this artist name chaos...

    4 Jul 2011 Reply

  • mdt

    I disagree. Songs from 1962–1967 released by "Martha and The Vandellas" should be tagged that way. Songs from 1967 to 1972 released by "Martha Reeves and The Vandellas" should be tagged with that name. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_and_the_Vandellas_discography

    14 Jun 2011 Reply

  • promisedeyes

    Merge "Martha and The Vandellas" with "Martha Reeves & The Vandellas". Please!! [3]

    10 May 2011 Reply

  • boehj

    cool tunes

    18 Mar 2011 Reply

  • -Toby-NL

    Nowhere to run was featured in the game Battlefield Vietnam (2004). So cool, I played that song over and over when i was hoovering in the helicopters (in game o.c. lol)

    9 Mar 2011 Reply

  • showroom-dummy

    Merge "Martha and The Vandellas" with "Martha Reeves & The Vandellas". Please!! [2]

    12 Feb 2011 Reply

  • ritesofspring

    Forget Me Not is my favourite, such a perfect song

    8 Jan 2011 Reply

  • trailerpark

    Can't forget the Motor City. <3

    16 Oct 2010 Reply

  • SoulJazzsterInc

    Merge "Martha and The Vandellas" with "Martha Reeves & The Vandellas". Please!!

    4 Sep 2010 Reply

  • otsiningopark

    "Heatwave" might be the greatest pop song of all-time. [2]

    5 Jul 2010 Reply

  • Yastrzemski

    "Heatwave" might be the greatest pop song of all-time.

    1 Jun 2010 Reply

  • Flart90

    Is Martha in the middle of the picture?

    12 Apr 2010 Reply
    • All 69 shouts

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