Martha and the Vandellas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martha and the Vandellas
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Martha and the Vandellas in 1965. (L-to-R) Rosalind Ashford, Martha Reeves, and Betty Kelly.
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Del-Phis (1957–1961) The Vels (1961–1962) Martha Reeves & the Vandellas (1967–1972, 2010–present) The Original Vandellas (2000s–present) |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Genres | R&B, soul, pop, Northern soul |
| Years active | 1957–1972 |
| Labels | Gordy |
| Associated acts | Marvin Gaye The Funk Brothers |
| Members | Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Martha Reeves Lois Reeves Delphine Reeves The Original Vandellas Rosalind Ashford Holmes Annette Beard Helton Roschelle Laughhunn |
| Past members | Gloria Williams Betty Kelly Sandra Tilley |
Martha and the Vandellas was an American singing group formed in Detroit in 1957. They became very famous in the 1960s with Motown Records. From 1967 to 1972, they were known as Martha Reeves & The Vandellas.
The group was started by friends Annette Beard, Rosalind Ashford, and Gloria Williams. Later, Martha Reeves joined and became the lead singer after Gloria Williams left in 1962. The group signed with Motown's Gordy label and released all their hit songs there.
Some of their most famous songs include "Come and Get These Memories", "Heat Wave", "Nowhere to Run", "Jimmy Mack", and their signature song, "Dancing in the Street".
From 1963 to 1972, Martha and the Vandellas had over twenty-six songs on the music charts. They sang in different styles like doo-wop, R&B, pop, and soul. Ten of their songs reached the top ten on the Billboard R&B singles chart, with two of them hitting number one. Six of their songs made it into the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. Some members of the group were honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
Contents
The Story of Martha and the Vandellas
Starting Out (1957–1962)
Teenagers Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard met when a music manager chose them for a girl group called the Del-Phis. Rosalind, Annette, and lead singer Gloria Williams performed at local events and school functions. They even sang backup for other artists.
The group first had up to six members, but then it became four. When one member left, Martha Reeves joined. Martha had been in other groups before. In 1960, the group signed with Checker Records, but their song "I'll Let You Know" was not a big hit. They then recorded "There He Is (At My Door)" with Chess Records, which also didn't become popular.
Martha Reeves tried to get a solo contract with the new Motown label. A Motown staff member, Mickey Stevenson, heard Martha sing and offered her an audition. Martha ended up becoming his secretary and helped with Motown's auditions. By 1961, the group, now called The Vels, were singing background vocals for Motown artists like Marvin Gaye. They sang on his first hit, "Stubborn Kind of Fellow".
One day, another singer missed a recording session. The Vels stepped in and recorded a demo song called "I'll Have to Let Him Go". Motown's CEO, Berry Gordy, was so impressed by their singing, especially Martha's lead vocals, that he offered the group a contract. Gloria Williams decided that being in show business was too demanding and left the group. With Gloria gone, the remaining three members—Rosalind, Annette, and Martha—needed a new name. Berry Gordy gave them the name The Vandellas.
Motown Hits (1962–1968)
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After signing with Motown's Gordy label in 1962, the Vandellas had a big hit with their second song, "Come and Get These Memories". This song was written by the famous team of Holland–Dozier–Holland. It became their first song to reach the Top 40, climbing to number twenty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the R&B chart.
Their next song, "Heat Wave", was a huge success. It reached number four on the Hot 100 and was number one on the R&B chart for five weeks. It sold over a million copies and earned the group a Grammy Award nomination.
The group's success continued with "Quicksand", another song by Holland-Dozier-Holland, which reached number eight on the pop chart in late 1963. Around this time, Annette Beard left the group because she was starting a family. Betty Kelley, who had been in another group called the Velvelettes, joined to replace her.
Their next singles, "Live Wire" and "In My Lonely Room", were not as successful on the pop charts. However, their song "Dancing in the Street" became a massive hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also popular around the world, reaching number twenty-one in the UK in 1964. When "Dancing in the Street" was re-released in 1969, it became a top 4 hit in the UK. This song sold over a million copies and is still one of the most played songs in history.
Between 1964 and 1967, songs like "Nowhere to Run" (US #8), "I'm Ready for Love" (US #9), and "Jimmy Mack" (US #10) kept the Vandellas as one of Motown's top groups. Their popularity led to appearances on popular TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand. The Vandellas were also known for their exciting live performances.
Changes in the Group
After some important writers and producers left Motown in 1967 and 1968, it became harder for many Motown artists to find new hit songs. However, the Vandellas continued to have success with songs like "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone" and "Honey Chile". In 1968, the group performed at the famous Copacabana club.
Around this time, there were some disagreements within the group. Betty Kelley left the group in 1967 after missing performances and having disagreements with Martha Reeves. Martha's sister, Lois Reeves, joined the group to replace Betty. At the same time, the group's name officially changed to Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. This was done to match other Motown groups whose names were changed to highlight their lead singers.
"Bless You" and Final Years (1969–1972)
Martha Reeves took a break due to illness but returned to the group. Rosalind Ashford was replaced by Sandra Tilley, another former member of the Velvelettes. The group continued to release albums and singles into the early 1970s. While their success in America slowed, they continued to have popular songs in the UK.
In 1970, the group released "I Should Be Proud", a song about peace. In 1971, they had a hit in the UK with "Forget Me Not". Later that year, they had an international hit with "Bless You". This song reached number fifty-three on the American pop charts and number thirty-three in the UK. "Bless You" was the last song for the group to reach the Billboard Hot 100.
After a few more R&B hits, the group decided to break up. Their farewell concert was held in Detroit on December 21, 1972. However, Martha Reeves still often performs as 'Martha Reeves & The Vandellas'.
After the group split, Lois Reeves sang with other groups, and Sandra Tilley retired from music. Sadly, Sandra passed away in 1981. Original member Gloria Williams, who left the group early on, passed away in 2000.
In 1978, Martha Reeves reunited with original Vandellas Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard for a benefit concert. In 1983, Martha worked to get proper credit and payment for their Motown songs, and the label agreed to list the songs as by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. That year, Martha performed at the Motown 25 TV special, which helped the group gain new fans. In 1989, Rosalind and Annette also worked to get proper payment for their songs. This inspired the original trio to reunite for performances and even record a new song called "Step into My Shoes".
Today, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas sometimes reunite for concerts. Rosalind Ashford-Holmes and Annette Beard-Helton continue to perform with other singers as "The Original Vandellas". Martha Reeves performs with her sisters Lois and Delphine Reeves as "Martha Reeves and the Vandellas".
From 2005 to 2009, Martha Reeves served on Detroit's city council. She continues to perform music.
Awards and Honors
Martha and the Vandellas' song "Dancing in the Street" was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. They were also nominated for a Grammy Award in 1964 for "Heat Wave".
In 1993, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. Most members of the group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. They were the second all-female group to receive this honor. They were also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.
Two of their songs, "Heat Wave" and "Dancing in the Street", are on the list of "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll". In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the group No. 96 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In 2005, Martha & The Vandellas were voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.
"Dancing in the Street" was added to the United States Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2006 for its important historical and artistic value.
Group Members Over Time
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Music Albums
Here are some of the albums released by Martha and the Vandellas:
- Come and Get These Memories (1963)
- Heat Wave (1963)
- Dance Party (1965)
- Greatest Hits (1966)
- Watchout! (1966)
- Martha and the Vandellas Live! (1967)
- Ridin' High (1968)
- Sugar 'n' Spice (1969)
- Natural Resources (1970)
- Black Magic (1972)
Top 10 Hit Songs
These songs reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S.:
- "Heat Wave" (1963)
- "Quicksand" (1963)
- "Dancing in the Street" (1964)
- "Nowhere to Run" (1965)
- "I'm Ready for Love" (1966)
- "Jimmy Mack" (1967)
Images for kids
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Martha and the Vandellas in 1965. (L-to-R) Rosalind Ashford, Martha Reeves, and Betty Kelly.
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Publicity photo of Martha and the Vandellas, around 1965.
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Martha Reeves and the Vandellas at Motown 45, 2004.
See also
In Spanish: Martha and the Vandellas para niños
