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Home , Martha and the Vandellas, Martha Reeves, Quiet Elegance, Sandra Tilley, There He Is (At My Door), The Fascinations

Martha and the Vandellas (known from 1967 to 1972 After staffer Mickey Stevenson noticed Reeves as and the Vandellas) were an Ameri- singing at a prominent club, he offered her his can vocal group who found fame in the with a string business card for an audition.[5] Reeves showed up at of hit singles on Motown's Gordy label. Founded in 1960 Motown on a wrong date (Motown auditions were held by friends , Rosalind Ashford and Gloria at Thursdays, while Reeves showed up to Motown’s Williams, the band eventually included Martha Reeves, Hitsville USA studios on a Tuesday). Stevenson, ini- who moved up in ranks as lead vocalist of the group af- tially upset, told Reeves to look out for clients and other ter Williams’ departure in 1962. The group signed with matters. Soon Reeves became Stevenson’s secretary and and eventually recorded all of their singles for Motown’s later was responsible for helping acts audition for the Gordy imprint. label.[6] By 1961, the group, now known as The Vels, The group’s string of hits included "(Love Is Like a) were recording background vocals for Motown acts. Prior Heat Wave", "Nowhere to Run", "", "Bless to her success as lead singer of , Sandra Ed- You" and "", the latter song becom- wards (then going by her surname Maulett) recorded the ing their signature single. During their nine-year run on song “Camel Walk”, in 1962, which featured the Vels in the charts from 1963 to 1972, Martha and the Vandellas background vocals. That year, the quartet began apply- charted over twenty-six hits and recorded in the styles of ing background vocals for emerging Motown star , singing on Gaye’s first hit single, "Stubborn Kind doo-wop, R&B, pop, , and soul. Ten [7] Vandellas songs reached the top ten of the Billboard R&B of Fellow" After failed to make a sched- singles chart, including two R&B number ones. uled recording session feigning a short illness, the Vels recorded what was initially a demo recording of “I'll Have to Let Him Go”. Motown was so impressed by the group’s vocals – and Martha’s lead vocals in the song – that the 1 History label CEO offered to give the group a con- tract. Figuring that being in show business was too rig- 1.1 Early years (1957–1962) orous, Williams opted out of the group. With Williams out, the remaining trio of Ashford, Beard and Reeves re- Teenagers Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard first be- named themselves The Vandellas. came acquainted after a local music manager hired them to be members of a he named The Del-Phis. Ashford & Beard, along with then-lead vocalist , performed at local clubs, private events, church benefits, YMCA events and school functions.[1][2][3] They were also being coached by at Detroit’s Ferris Center.[1] One of the group’s first professional engagements was singing background for singer Mike Hanks.[4] The group originally had up to six mem- bers, shortened to four. After another member left the group, she was replaced by -born vocalist Martha Reeves, who had been a member of a rival group, and had also been a member of another group, the Sabre-Ettes. In 1960, the group signed their first recording contract with , releasing the Reeves-led “I'll Let You Know”. The record flopped. The group then recorded for Checkmate Records, a sub- sidiary of , recording their first take of “ (At My Door)". That record, featuring Williams on lead vocals, also flopped. Martha & the Vandellas, 1964. From left to right: Martha Briefly separated, Reeves returned to a solo career per- Reeves, Annette Beard and Rosalind Ashford. forming under the name Martha LaVaille, in hopes of getting a contract with emerging Detroit label Motown.

1 2 1 HISTORY

1.2 Motown major hit years (1962–1968) Reeves’ mentor William “Mickey” Stevenson in 1967 and Holland–Dozier–Holland in early 1968, but after their Following their signing to Motown’s Gordy imprint in former collaborators left the label, the Vandellas ini- 1962, The Vandellas struck gold with their second re- tially continued to find success with the Richard Morris- lease, the first composition and production from the produced singles "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone" (US famed writing team, Holland–Dozier–Holland, titled #25; R&B #14) and "" (US #11; UK #30; "Come and Get These Memories". It became The Van- R&B #5) added to their already extended list of charted dellas’ first Top 40 recording, reaching number twenty- singles. In the summer of 1968, the group joined The nine on the and peaking at number Supremes, , The and Marvin six on the R&B chart. Their second hit, "(Love Is Like Gaye in performing at the though much like a) Heat Wave", became a phenomenal record for the albums from the Four Tops and Gaye, a live album of group,[8] reaching number four on the Hot 100 and hitting their performance there was shelved indefinitely. number one on the R&B singles chart for five weeks. It That same year, label changes had started to take effect, became their first million-seller and eventually won the and Gordy focused much of his attention on building the group their only Grammy Award nomination for Best Supremes’ as well as ’ burgeoning upcoming R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. (On the solo career that would follow in 1970. The Vandellas’ single and album, the song was titled “Heat Wave”. It was sound (and the sound of many Motown acts with the sometime later that the song was retitled to avoid confu- exception of Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Mar- sion with the Irving Berlin song.) velettes, and ) suffered as a result.[5][11] The group’s success continued with their second Top Ten However it was the infighting among the members of the single and third Top 40 single, "Quicksand", which was [8] Vandellas that led to their problems. Kelley was the first another composition with Holland-Dozier-Holland and to be let go after reportedly missing shows, as well as get- reached number eight pop in the late fall of 1963. Around ting into altercations with Reeves.[5][12] There were many that time, Annette, who was pregnant with her first child instances where these “fights” happened on stage. Kelley and set to get married, chose to leave her singing ca- [9] was fired in 1967 and was replaced by Martha Reeves’ reer behind by 1964. Betty Kelley, formerly of The sister Lois.[7][12] Simultaneously, the group’s name was Velvelettes, was brought in shortly afterward to continue officially changed to Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, the Vandellas’ rise. to conform with the company’s recent changes of The The next two singles, “Live Wire” and “In My Lonely Supremes' and ' names to reflect their fea- Room"(#6 R&B Cashbox) were less successful singles, tured lead singers. During this time, Vandellas records in- failing to reach the Top 40. However, their next single, cluding "(We've Got) Honey Love", “Sweet Darlin'" and "Dancing in the Street", rose up to #2 on the Billboard “Taking My Love and Leaving Me” were issued as singles Hot 100 and also found global success, peaking at #21 on with diminishing success. the UK Singles Chart in 1964. In 1969, “Dancing in the Street” was re-issued and it was plugged heavily on radio stations. It did not take long for the song to peak at #4 in 1.4 “Bless You” (1969–1972) the UK, thus making the song one of the all time favourite Motown single releases ever. The song became a million- Reeves, out of the group temporarily due to illness, re- [10] seller, and one of the most played singles in history. covered and returned; Ashford was replaced by another Between 1964 and 1967, singles like "Wild One" (US former member of , , and #34), "Nowhere to Run" (US #8; UK #26), "Love (Makes the group continued to release albums and singles into Me Do Foolish Things)" (US #70; R&B #22), "You've the early 1970s, although they could not reignite the Been in Love Too Long" (US #36), "My Baby Loves Me" fire that had made their records successful in the 1960s. (US #22; R&B #3), "I'm Ready for Love" (US #9; R&B Among their late 1960s hits was "I Can't Dance to That #2; UK #29) and "Jimmy Mack" (US #10; R&B #1; UK Music You're Playing", which featured singer Syreeta #21) kept The Vandellas on the map as one of the label’s Wright singing the chorus, and peaked at number forty- top acts. The Vandellas’ popularity helped the group get two. Reeves reportedly hated singing the song sensing it spots on , , “close to home”. In 1970, the group issued Motown’s American Bandstand and Shindig!. Throughout this pe- first protest single, the controversial anti-war song, "I riod, The Vandellas had also become one of the label’s Should Be Proud", which peaked at a modest forty-five most popular performing acts. on the R&B singles chart. The song was uncharacteristic of the Vandellas and did nothing to promote the group. On some stations, the flip-side “Love, Guess Who” was 1.3 Personnel changes played instead. In 1971, the group scored an international hit with "Bless Motown struggled to find good material for many of You" (produced by the Jackson 5’s producers The Cor- their acts after the exit of Motown contributor and poration). The song peaked at number fifty-three on the 3

American pop singles chart (the biggest peak of Van- Laughhunn, as “The Original Vandellas.” Reeves, with dellas’ seventies singles), and number twenty-nine on the her sisters Lois and Delphine Reeves, tour as “Martha R&B singles chart. “Bless You” was their first UK Top 40 Reeves and the Vandellas.” hit since “Forget Me Not”, with the song reaching num- From 2005 to 2009, Reeves held the eighth seat of De- ber thirty-three there. “Bless You” became a top 20 hit troit’s city council. She has since lost her seat and told the in Canada. It was to be the last Billboard Hot 100 hit press that she would continue performing.[19] single for the group. That record also signaled the end of the Motown era. After two successive Top 40 R&B sin- A remake of the song “Nowhere To Run,” sung by Arnold gles, the ballad “In and Out of My Life” (#22 US R&B) McCuller, is heard in the film “The Warriors” during the and the Marvin Gaye cover, “Tear It On Down” (#37 US scene in which the Gramercy Riffs call a hit on the War- R&B), the group disbanded following a farewell concert, riors. held at Detroit's Cobo Hall on December 21, 1972. In a Season One episode of the television show The The next year, Reeves announced plans of starting a solo Golden Girls, Blanche describes her car as the “noisi- career.[13] At the same time, Motown Records moved its est thing to come out of Detroit since Martha & The [20] operations to Los Angeles. When Reeves did not want to Vandellas.”. [14] move, she negotiated out of her contract with Motown, , who hosted the Saturday Night Live signing with MCA in 1974, and releasing the critically episode on which Martha Reeves appeared in its inau- Martha Reeves [5] acclaimed self-titled debut album, . De- gural season, made sure that Martha Reeves and the Van- spite rave reviews of her work, neither of Reeves’ post- dellas were a presence throughout her "Murphy Brown" Vandellas/Motown recordings produced the same suc- series. The group’s picture was displayed prominently in cess as they had the decade before. After living what Murphy’s office. When guest starred and she called “a rock & roll lifestyle” of prescription pills, Murphy tried to sing with her, Franklin stopped her, say- cocaine and alcohol, Reeves sobered up in 1977, over- ing, “My name is not Martha, and you are no Vandella.” coming her addictions and becoming a born-again Chris- tian.[5][12] 3 Awards and accolades

2 Epilogue Though they did not receive any Grammys, (they were nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo After the Vandellas’ split, Reeves’ sister Lois sang with or Group for "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave”, in 1964), the group and sang background for Al [12][15][16][17] Martha and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street” was Green, while Tilley retired from show busi- inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. In 1993, ness in the late 1970s, suddenly dying of a brain aneurysm Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were awarded the Pio- in 1981 at the age of thirty-nine. Original member Gloria neer Award by the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. Except Williams, who retired from show business when she left for pre-Vandellas member Gloria Williamson and Van- the group, died in 2000. In 1978, Reeves and original dellas member Sandra Tilley, all members of the group Vandellas Ashford and Beard reunited at a Los Angeles were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, benefit concert for actor Will Geer. In 1983, Reeves suc- becoming the second all-female group to be inducted. cessfully sued for royalties from her Motown hits and the They were inducted by rock group The B-52’s, whose Martha Reeves label agreed to have the songs credited as frothy dance music was inspired by the Vandellas.[21][22] and the Vandellas [5][12] from then on. That year, Reeves They were inducted into the Motown 25 [18] performed solo at , which alongside some in 2003.[19] Two of their singles, "(Love Is Like a) Heat Big Chill of their songs being placed on the soundtrack, Wave” and “Dancing in the Street” were included in the helped Reeves and the Vandellas gain a new audience. list of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that In 1989, original members Ashford and Beard also sued Shaped Rock and Roll. In 2004, ranked the Motown for royalties. During this time, the original trio group #96 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All were inspired to reunite both as a recording act and in Time.[23] performances.[5][12] They were offered a recording con- tract with Ian Levine at Motorcity Records who issued Always concert favorites, Martha Reeves and the Vandel- the group’s first single since the Vandellas disbanded sev- las were nominated for UK Festival Awards in 2010 and enteen years earlier called “Step Into My Shoes.” 2011 as “Best Headliner.” Although they are no longer singing together full-time, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas have occasionally re- united for various concerts. Currently, Ashford, whose 4 Impact full name now is Rosalind Ashford-Holmes, and Beard, whose full name now is Annette Beard-Helton, continue Regarded for their early and mid-1960s work, some of to perform with other singers, most notably Roschelle the Vandellas’ popular recordings have become part of 4 8 REFERENCES

• American culture with their 1964 standard, “Dancing "Dancing in the Street" was included in the National in the Street,” being the obvious example. One of the Recording Registry for its historical, artistic and cul- most covered and popular songs in rock and roll history, tural significance in 2006. “Dancing in the Street” was covered several times includ- ing a 1982 live recording by rock band and a 1985 duet by rockers and . 8 References “Dancing in the Street” is considered to be the “Motown Anthem” by many. Martha and the Vandellas 1963 hit, [1] The Original Vandellas "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave,” was the first song that sig- nified the Motown sound or the “Sound of Young Amer- [2] “Martha and the Vandellas Biography”. Britannica.com. ica” with its backbeat and bouncing rhythms. 1965’s Retrieved 16 December 2010. “Nowhere to Run” has been featured during sports events. [3] “Martha Reeves”. TheSoulGuy.com. Archived from the 1967’s "Jimmy Mack" inspired what Reeves later said original on 2008-05-10. Retrieved 16 December 2010. was a “virtual legend” of the name of the song "Jimmy Mack.” [4] martha

[5] “Martha and the Vandellas”. HistoryofRock.com. Re- trieved 16 December 2010. 5 Lineups [6] “Martha Reeves”. General Entertainment.com. Retrieved 16 December 2010. 6 Discography [7] Martha and the Vandellas. Ebony. February 1968. Re- trieved 16 December 2010.

[8] Gilliland, John (1969). “Show 26 - The Soul Reforma- tion: Phase two, the Motown story. [Part 5]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. Digital.library.unt.edu.

[9] Warner, Jay, ed. (2006). American Singing Groups: A History, From 1940 to Today. Hal Leonard. p. 584. ISBN 0-634-09978-7. Retrieved 16 December 2010.

[10] Martha Reeves Without the Vandellas. Ebony. February 1988. Retrieved 16 December 2010.

[11] Gaar, Gillian G., ed. (2002). She’s a Rebel: The History of Women in Rock and Roll (Live Girls). Seal Press. p. 496. ISBN 1-58005-078-6. Retrieved 16 December 2010.

Martha and the Vandellas at Berns in Stockholm, Sweden, 2011 [12] “Martha Reeves”. Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 16 De- cember 2010. For a detailed listing of albums and singles, see Martha Martha Reeves Quits Vandellas To Go Solo and the Vandellas discography [13] . Jet. 15 Febru- ary 1973. Retrieved 16 December 2010.

[14] Singer Martha Reeves Leaves Motown Records. Jet. 29 7 Awards and recognition March 1973. Retrieved 16 December 2010. [15] “Quiet Elegance”. Discogs.com. Retrieved 16 December • Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ "(Love Is Like a) 2010. Heat Wave" and "Dancing in the Street" were in- [16] “Roots of Love-Quiet Elegance”. Discogs.com. 1977. ducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame and were both Retrieved 16 December 2010. included in the list of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. [17] “The Complete Quiet Elegance on ”. Discogs.com. 2001. Retrieved 16 December 2010. • They were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame [18] “Motown 25:Yesterday, Today, Forever”. IMDB. Re- in 1995 becoming just the second all-female group trieved 16 December 2010. to be inducted and the fifth group in the Motown roster to be inducted. [19] Kroll, Vicki L. (31 August 2010). “Motown Legend to sing at Music Fest”. University of Toledo. Retrieved 16 • December 2010. They were inducted to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. [20] Golden Girl’s Quotes 5

[21] The Immortals – The Greatest Artists of All Time: 96) Martha and the Vandellas: Martha and the Vandellas : Rolling Stone

[22] , Martha and the Vandellas Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame During Gala Ceremonies in New York City. Jet. 30 January 1995. Retrieved 16 December 2010.

[23] “The Immortals: The First Fifty”. Rolling Stone Issue 946. Rolling Stone.

9 External links • Rock & Roll Hall of Fame page on Martha and the Vandellas • 'Martha and the Vandellas’ Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page • History of Rock page on Martha and the Vandellas • The Original Vandellas (Rosalind Ashford-Holmes & Annette Beard-Helton) page • Martha and the Vandellas History, Charts and Songs • Martha & The Vandellas at Doo Wop Heaven 6 10 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

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