Frogtoon Music

Dancing In The Street Hitpac (Album) by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

Artist Biography For Martha Reeves & The Vandellas


Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Were One Of The Most Successful Groups In The Motown Roster During The 1960s And Fully Active From 1960 To Present 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 & 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 Kelley Replacing Sterling. In 1967 Kelley Was Fired And Was Replaced By Martha's Younger Sister Sandra "Lois" Reeves. In 1969 Ashford Was Also Fired And Replaced By Sandra Tilley. The Lineup Of The Reeves Sisters And Tilley Continued After Martha's Return From An Institution After Suffering A Nervous Breakdown. The Group Disbanded Following A Farewell Concert Held At Detroit's Cobo Hall On December 21 1972. However Reeves Still Performs With Sister Lois And Another Reeves Sister Delphine.

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