Martha & The Vandellas

From the start, Martha Reeves’ voice possessed an earthy, direct quality that distinguished her from other female singers - such as sultry Mary Wells or demure Diana Ross - at Motown. Her voice bore the righteous fervor of gospel and the flinty edginess of rhythm & blues, which, combined with Motown’s stylized pop-soul approach, made for a compelling package. Together with her backup singers, the Vandellas, Reeves recorded a classic run of singles in the mid-Sixties, most of them composed by the songwriting team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland. The Vandellas’ hit streak included what may be the definitive Motown anthem, “Dancing in the Street,” including danceable blockbusters like “(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave,” but it was the irresistibly upbeat “Heat Wave” that made Martha and the Vandellas one of Motown’s vanguard acts in the summer of 1963. Another summertime anthem, “Dancing in the Street” arrived in 1964, charging to #2 in the midst of the British Invasion. Reeves’ insistent alto cut through the punchy horns, driving bass line and funky rhythms to deliver a timeless message to the youth of Americacts in the summer of 1963. Another summertime anthem, “Dancing in the Street” – cowritten by Mickey Stevenson, Marvin Gaye and Ivy Joe Hunter – arrived in 1964, charging to #2 in the midst of the British Invasion. Reeves’ insistent alto cut through the punchy horns, driving bass line and funky rhythms to deliver a timeless message to the youth of America. They recorded throughout the Sixties for Motown’s Gordy label, charting 24 R&B hits, and became one of the company’s most successful touring acts. As female artists at Motown, they were outshone only by Diana Ross and the Supremes. When the company moved west in 1971, Martha and the Vandellas parted ways with Motown. A farewell concert was performed in Detroit, and Reeves embarked on a solo career with the big-budget album Martha Reeves in 1974. They regrouped in the Seventies, and the group received a boost when the Motown 25th anniversary TV special aired in 1983 and continue to perform, enduring as one of the most visible reminders of Motown’s glory days. I think I bought every albums they ever made as a group but I found Martha's alto voice as a solo act too powerful for my taste, but I will remain a loyal Vandellas fan even when I have to play their tunes with my teeth. they were inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1995. Visit their site there at: www.rockhall.com/inductee/martha-and-the-vandellas

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