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.
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  • Blue_Key

    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. :( :)

    January 2012

  • JigsawXXXX

    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.

    November 2011

  • psycho21r

    Good point, mdt.

    July 2011

  • 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

    June 2011

  • Jazzdjur

    Yup, agreed, they should be merged! Everybody vote for it!

    January 2011

  • SoulJazzsterInc

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

    September 2010

  • PiffMalone

    Dancing in the Street. dont get much better than that.

    August 2010

  • Anitnemelc

    DAAAAAAAANCIN in THE STREEEEEEEEEETS!!!!<3 makes me jump -simply amazing

    November 2009
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