Martha Reeves facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martha Reeves |
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Reeves performing in 2011
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Martha Rose Reeves |
| Also known as | Martha LaVaille |
| Born | July 18, 1941 Eufaula, Alabama, U.S. |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1957–present |
| Labels | |
Martha Rose Reeves, born on July 18, 1941, is an American R&B and pop singer. She is famous for being the lead singer of the Motown group Martha and the Vandellas. This group had many hit songs, including "Heat Wave", "Nowhere to Run", "Jimmy Mack", and their most well-known song, "Dancing in the Street".
From 2005 to 2009, Martha Reeves also served as an elected councilwoman in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. In 1995, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were honored by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2023, Rolling Stone magazine named her one of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
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Early Life and Music
Martha Rose Reeves was born in Eufaula, Alabama. She was the third of 11 children. Her family moved to Detroit, Michigan, when she was a baby. Her grandfather was a minister, and the family was very active in their church choir. Martha's parents loved music, and they passed that love on to their children.
At Northeastern High School in Detroit, Martha's vocal coach was Abraham Silver. He also taught other famous singers like Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson from the Supremes. Martha grew up listening to gospel music. She was inspired by singers like Lena Horne and Della Reese. She also loved R&B and doo-wop music. In 1959, she joined a group called the Fascinations.
Music Career
In 1957, Martha joined a group called the Del-Phis. The group included Rosalind Ashford, Gloria Williams, and Annette Beard. They were a popular local singing group.
In the early 1960s, Martha worked different jobs during the day. At night, she sang jazz and blues standards in Detroit nightclubs. At one club, she was noticed by Mickey Stevenson, a talent director from Motown Records. He invited her to audition.
Martha went to Motown's Hitsville USA studios the next morning. She didn't know she was supposed to call first for an appointment. Stevenson asked her to answer phones while he was busy. Martha used her high school skills to answer calls and help with payroll. She soon became Stevenson's assistant.
By 1961, the Del-Phis changed their name to The Vels. They recorded some songs for other record labels. One day, a singer named Mary Wells couldn't make a recording session. Martha stepped in and called her groupmates, the Del-Phis. They sang backup for Marvin Gaye on his hit song "Stubborn Kind of Fellow". This was the start of Martha and the Vandellas.
Martha and the Vandellas
Martha Reeves had a powerful, gospel-influenced voice. This helped Martha and the Vandellas stand out. Their early songs like "Come and Get These Memories" and "Heat Wave" made them unique. They were different from other groups like the Marvelettes and the Supremes.
"Heat Wave" became the group's first song to sell a million copies. Martha and the Vandellas quickly became one of Motown's top acts. Martha was the only member who stayed with the group through all its changes. When original members Annette Beard and Rosalind Ashford left, new members joined. These included Betty Kelly, Sandra Tilley, and Martha's sister, Lois Reeves.
The group had many signature hits, including "Quicksand", "Nowhere to Run", "Jimmy Mack", and their most famous song, "Dancing in the Street". They appeared on many TV shows. These included The Mike Douglas Show, American Bandstand, and The Ed Sullivan Show. They also appeared with British singer Dusty Springfield on the UK show Ready Steady Go!
Martha and the Vandellas were featured in popular magazines like Ebony and Jet. Martha Reeves also wrote for the newspaper Soul.
In 1972, the group broke up after releasing the album Black Magic. Motown Records moved from Detroit to Los Angeles. Martha left her contract with Motown that same year.
In 1989, Martha Reeves and original members Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard sued Motown Records. They wanted unpaid royalties for their songs. In 1991, they reached a settlement. Berry Gordy, Jr., the founder of Motown, apologized to Martha.
Solo Career
After leaving Motown, Martha Reeves moved to Los Angeles. She signed with MCA in late 1973. Her first solo project was the soundtrack for the film Willie Dynamite in 1974. Later that year, MCA released her self-titled album. It was produced by Richard Perry and featured famous musicians. Even though it received good reviews, it wasn't a big commercial success.
She appeared on the first season of Saturday Night Live in December 1975. She sang "Silver Bells" and a cover of Jackie Wilson's "[(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher]".
In Los Angeles, Martha took acting classes. She appeared in the movie Fairy Tales and on the TV show Quincy, ME. She also appeared on game shows like Hollywood Squares. In 1977, Martha became a born-again Christian. She released more albums on different labels. In 1983, she performed solo on the Motown 25 TV special.
Martha also performed in a Broadway show called Ain't Misbehavin'. In 1989, she reunited with the original Vandellas for recordings and tours. In 1995, Reeves and the Vandellas were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They were also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. Martha performed at the Super Bowl XXXII halftime show in 1998 with her sisters, Lois and Delphine Reeves.
In 2004, Martha released her first album in 24 years, called Home to You. She wrote and produced most of the songs herself. Her song "Wild Night" was featured in the movie Thelma & Louise. "Nowhere to Run" was the first song played by Robin Williams' character in the movie Good Morning, Vietnam. She has also appeared on TV shows like Soul Train and Dancing With the Stars.
In 2012, Martha Reeves performed at London's Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. She also performed at famous venues like Carnegie Hall. In 2015, she received an honorary PhD in Humanities. She was also inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
Current Work
After serving on the Detroit City Council from 2005 to 2009, Martha Reeves returned to performing full-time. She does nearly 50 shows each year. She often performs at festivals in the UK during the summer.
Martha is a board member of SAG-AFTRA Detroit chapter. This organization helps protect the rights of performers. In 2007, she spoke to Congress to ask for better wages and royalties for musicians. She is also on the board of SoundExchange, which collects royalties for artists when their music is played digitally.
She had a small appearance in the movie Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. Martha continues to perform concerts with her sisters, Lois and Delphine, who are also Vandellas. In 2019, Martha was a contestant on the BBC One show Celebrity MasterChef in the UK. In 2024, Martha Reeves received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Discography
Albums
- 1974: Martha Reeves (MCA)
- 1976: The Rest of My Life (Arista)
- 1978: We Meet Again (Fantasy)
- 1980: Gotta Keep Moving (Fantasy)
- 2004: Home To You (Itch/True Life Entertainment)
Singles
- "Power of Love" (1974)
- "Wild Night" (1974)
- "Love Blind" (1975)
- "I'm Not Leaving" with Crystal Method (2012)
