Biography of Martha & the Vandellas

One of Motown's finest female groups formed almost by accident. Martha Reeves had been in The Del-Phils and recorded solo for Checkmate, but in the early '60s was working as an A&R secretary at Motown, doing some background work on the side. She organized a group with Annette Beard and Rosalind Ashford in 1962. They roared into the spotlight with "Come and Get These Memories" in 1963, and Reeves' husky, alternately sensual and demure leads made them a hit attraction through 1967. They scored number one R&B hits with "Heat Wave" and "Jimmy Mack" (both crossover Top Ten pop winners as well) and Top Ten R&B hits with "Quicksand," "Nowhere to Run," "My Baby Loves Me," "Honey Chile," and "I'm Ready for Love." Oddly, their finest song, "Dancing in the Streets," only reached number two. Beard departed in 1964, and was replaced by Betty Kelly, an ex-Velvelette. They disbanded from 1969 to 1971, then re-formed with Reeves and her sister Lois, plus Sandra Tilley. They split for good in 1972, as Martha Reeves went solo and Lois Reeves joined Quiet Elegance. Martha Reeves worked with various producers throughout the '70s, among them Richard Perry, and had only sporadic success recording for MCA, Arista, and Fantasy. She reunited with The Vandellas in 1989 and has continued performing with them ever since. She and original Vandellas Rosalind (Ashford) Holmes and Annette Beard recorded for Motorcity in England in 1989, and Lois Reeves also did a solo session with them, as did their brother Benny Reeves. ~ Ron Wynn