Martha and The Vandellas
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Detroit, United States (1957 – 1972)
Martha and the Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and fully active from 1960 to 1972, 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 and 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 Kelly replacing Annette Beard (now Beard-Sterling). In 1967, Kelly was fired and was replaced by Martha’s younger sister, Sandra “Lois” Reeves. In 1969, Ashford was also fired and replaced by Sandra Tilley.
The label’s second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves and 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 Kelly replacing Annette Beard (now Beard-Sterling). In 1967, Kelly 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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Dance Party
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Greatest Hits
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Ultimate Collection
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Shoutbox
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Blue_Key wrote:
Leave as is sadly, I was thinking Merge, but some Singles/album Covers of their early years has entitled "Marth and The Vandellas". So as much as we want to give the accredited scrobbles to this marvelous group, just leave split as is. :( :)
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JigsawXXXX wrote:
Some merge best happen because I have no idea what to call this artist on my iTunes. I just had "Martha Reeves" but I had a feeling that something like this might happen (as it's common singers of the period had a backing band that may or may not be part of the name of the artist). I'll keep it under Martha Reeves for now and see what happens.
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psycho21r wrote:
Good point, mdt.
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mdt wrote:
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
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Jazzdjur wrote:
Yup, agreed, they should be merged! Everybody vote for it!
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SoulJazzsterInc wrote:
Merge "Martha and The Vandellas" with "Martha Reeves & The Vandellas". Please!!
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PiffMalone wrote:
Dancing in the Street. dont get much better than that.
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Anitnemelc wrote:
DAAAAAAAANCIN in THE STREEEEEEEEEETS!!!!<3 makes me jump -simply amazing
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Sonofthe60s wrote:
Dudla is right - time to merge this page with "Martha Reeves & The Vandellas" and give these ladies the full credit they deserve.
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kempy35 wrote:
saw Martha in new york - she was great. She was bitchin a lot about Diana Ross
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danman1969 wrote:
I agree there should be a merge with Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (just like The Supremes should be merged with Diana Ross and The Supremes). That said, they also need to allow a separate page/listing for "Martha Reeves" as she recorded as a solo artist in the 1970s after leaving Motown. It's ridiculous to see LastFM crediting tracks from her 1977 "The Rest Of My Life" to "Martha and the Vandellas."
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Dudla wrote:
This has to be merged with Martha Reeves & the Vandellas !!!
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tentwenty wrote:
martha reeves has the most amazing voice.
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wonder_al wrote:
\o/
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Recent Activity
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SF_49er, Dzade, dussus and 5 other people added Martha and The Vandellas to their libraries. yesterday evening
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nina82_ tagged Martha and The Vandellas with 60s, motown and soul. last week
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djguvnore, taker919, gorelking and 13 other people added Martha and The Vandellas to their libraries. last week
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Harfang tagged Martha and The Vandellas with production, integrated rock, harfang rnb and 6 other tags. last month
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Martin-Saund, hosullivan, Tunatona and 27 other people added Martha and The Vandellas to their libraries. last month
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sigmagalator tagged Martha and The Vandellas with ‘girl groups’. December 2011
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LeoLeoLady, rudyourense and DancingShoes55 added Martha and The Vandellas to their libraries. December 2011
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Majordtl tagged Martha and The Vandellas with ‘reeves’. December 2011
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Majordtl, love-lady, Twinkletoes2808 and 17 other people added Martha and The Vandellas to their libraries. December 2011
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KLewis55 tagged Martha and The Vandellas with ‘oldies’. November 2011
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