Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

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Martha and the Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and fully active from 1960 to 1972, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, rock and roll and soul.

The label’s second most-successful girl group after The Supremes, Martha and 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”.

Founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1960, the group had initially gone by the name The Del-Phis and originally was a quartet led by Martha Reeves and childhood friends Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard and Gloria Williamson. Williamson left after a failed single on the Motown subsidiary, Checkmate, leaving the quartet as a trio. They changed their name again to The Vells signing a deal with Motown subsidiary, Me-Lo-Dy, and singing background for established Motown performers such as Mary Wells and Marvin Gaye before signing a new deal with Motown subsidiary Gordy, changing their name to Martha and the Vandellas in the process.

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’s final performance at Detroit’s Cobo Hall ended their twelve-year existence in 1972.

Tagged as:

motown, soul, 60s, female vocalists, oldies
See more…

1	Nowhere to Run full track	731
2	Dancing In The Street full track	687
3	(Love is Like a) Heat Wave full track	378
4	(Love Is Like A) Heatwave	205
5	Jimmy Mack full track	193
6	Come And Get These Memories full track	118
7	Dancing In The Streets	105
8	I'm Ready For Love full track	87
9	Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things) full track	70
10	Quicksand full track	55
11	Heatwave full track	51
12	In My Lonely Room full track	43
13	Honey Chile full track	42
14	Third Finger, Left Hand full track	37
15	Heat Wave	36

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rjw1958 wrote:
last month

AS A KID, I BEGGED FOR THIS SONG FOR THE VIETNAM VETS, MY COUSIN.. GOT KILLED.. GOD BLESS RJW..& FAM

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gammy123456 wrote:
September 2008

In my day in Philly we knew had to really dance to this....

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d245470k wrote:
September 2008

I agree with Gorillaz. How can anyone not love this?

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VenusTreat wrote:
August 2008

http://www.last.fm/group/The+Group+That+Carries+Music+Everywhere+They+Go%2C+Even+To+Places+They%27re+Not+Supposed+To

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VGoRiLLaZ wrote:
August 2008

Way, way underrated!

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Phelps711 wrote:
August 2008

This is the best song to open up an old school party!!

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jpdelaire wrote:
July 2008

BARACK OBAMA Music Video!!!!! Hi , I wanted to share this with you! Please pass it along if you like it! Peace and Love, JP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yCtb3gbjp4 please click "watch in high quality"

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Kym-B wrote:
July 2008

Mmmmm.... Heatwave! xxx

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tompa_fisk wrote:
April 2008

got nowhere to run baby?

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boharwood wrote:
April 2008

on the other hand, i will be on a lovely 2 week holiday, so shouldnt really complain!

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boharwood wrote:
April 2008

cant believe im gonna be in france during the london dates,. absolutely gutted.

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dluuu wrote:
February 2008

we did dance a lot this song had alot to do with it---

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missjeanette wrote:
January 2008

fuckin a, i want to see them in london! best dance party!

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IAJP wrote:
November 2007

these are deffo me favourite soul group! basic and undeniable classics! sooo good..wish i had that ultimate collection

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shamechain wrote:
September 2007

I'm Ready For Love is the best song ever.

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anonnamiss wrote:
September 2007

Can't pick a fave. Amazing group!

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soulfinger wrote:
July 2007

Nowhere to Run, as of right now, is my favorite song. EVER.

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L0serTalent wrote:
June 2007

Quicksand is AMAZING.

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u_gotta_h8_me wrote:
May 2007

Marha Reeves & the Vandellas could compete only with LaVern Baker at all.

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WinkWink wrote:
April 2007

Forget Me Not an all time MISSED Classic.. Re release it someone..

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