Lois Reeves facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lois Reeves
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Reeves in 2004
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sandra Delores Reeves |
| Born | April 12, 1948 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1967–present |
Sandra Delores Reeves (born April 12, 1948), known as Lois Reeves, is an American singer. She is famous for being the younger sister of Motown star Martha Reeves. Lois joined her sister's group, Martha and the Vandellas, in 1967. Later, in the 1970s, she sang backup for Al Green as part of the group Quiet Elegance. Lois was often called "Pee Wee" because she is 5 feet 1 inch tall.
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Lois Reeves' Musical Journey
Early Life and Family Music
Lois was one of 11 children born to Elijah Joshua Reeves and Ruby Lee Gilmore. Her family moved from Eufaula, Alabama to Detroit when her older sister, Martha, was very young. Both her parents loved to sing and play guitar. They shared their love of music with all their children. Lois's grandfather, Reverend Elijah Reeves, was a minister. The family was very active in their church and its choir.
Joining Martha and the Vandellas
After finishing high school, Lois started traveling with her sister Martha and the Vandellas. She watched their shows almost every night. This helped her learn all the songs and dance routines perfectly. One night, when she was just 18, Martha asked her to join the group. Lois replaced another member, Betty Kelly.
Lois also used her business skills to help the group. She managed their finances, booked hotels, and arranged travel. She even helped with contract talks.
Singing and Performing
Lois was never directly signed to Motown Records. Instead, she had a contract with Martha Reeves. She sang on popular Vandellas songs like "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone" and "Honey Chile". At this time, the group was known as Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Lois was the youngest member of the group. She performed with them in Japan, the UK, and Spain. She also performed when the group opened at the famous Copacabana nightclub in New York. Lois appeared with the group on The Mike Douglas Show in 1968 and Soul Train in 1971.
Lois and Rosalind Ashford, an original Vandellas member, often shared backup singing duties. They sometimes sang with The Andantes, another group that helped create the Motown sound. Lois sang on Vandellas hits like "I Should Be Proud" and "Bless You". She also sang on their final album, Black Magic, released in 1972.
Lois Reeves also helped a lot with the group's dance moves. She worked closely on choreography, especially when Sandra Tilley joined in 1969. Martha considered Lois and Sandra to be the best and most graceful dancers in the Vandellas.
Quiet Elegance and Al Green
At the end of 1972, the Vandellas group split up. Lois then joined a backup singing group called Quiet Elegance. This group sang backup for Al Green on many of his famous 1970s songs. These included "Call Me," "Livin' for You," and "L-O-V-E." Quiet Elegance formed in 1971. They also did backup vocals for The Temptations. Two Temptations members, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams, helped start Quiet Elegance.
In 1972, Hi Records' Willie Mitchell saw Quiet Elegance perform in Memphis. He signed them to a recording contract. The group also toured with both Al Green and Engelbert Humperdinck. Quiet Elegance broke up in 1977.
Later Career and Achievements
In the late 1970s, Lois stopped singing for a while. She opened a nightclub in Detroit with her husband at the time. A few years later, she closed the business and got divorced. She then returned to performing as a Vandella, this time with her younger sister Delphine.
In 1990, Lois released a song called "Patience Is a Virtue." She also released "Sweet Temptation" for Ian Levine's Motorcity project. "Patience Is a Virtue" is on the Ladies Of Soul 2 Motorcity album.
Lois continues to sing with her sisters Martha and Delphine as Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Her important contributions to the Vandellas led to her being honored in several Halls of Fame. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. She also joined The Rhythm & Blues Hall Of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.
Lois still lives in Detroit, near her siblings. She sometimes works as a consultant for the NAACP Detroit Chapter. She has also been involved with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. On November 20, 2009, Motown Records held a 50th anniversary party in Detroit. Lois attended and celebrated fifty years of Motown music.
