Martha and the Vandellas

Martha and the Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas in 1965.
(L-to-R): Rosalind Ashford, Martha Reeves, and Betty Kelly.
Background information
Also known as
  • The Del-Phis (1957–1961)
  • The Vels (1961–1962)
  • Martha Reeves & the Vandellas (1967–1973)
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Years active1957–1973
LabelsGordy
Past members

Martha and the Vandellas (known from 1967 to 1973 as Martha Reeves & the Vandellas) were an American girl group formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1957. The group achieved fame in the 1960s as a major act for Motown Records. Formed by friends Annette Beard, Rosalind Ashford and Gloria Williams, Martha Reeves eventually joined the group, and she became its lead vocalist after Williams' departure in 1962. The group signed with Gordy Records, a subsidiary of Motown.

The group's hits included "Heat Wave" (1963), "Quicksand" (1963), "Dancing in the Street" (1964), "Nowhere to Run" (1965), "I'm Ready for Love" (1966), "Jimmy Mack" (1967) and "Honey Chile" (1967). Six of the group's songs reached the top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and thirteen of their songs reached the top twenty on the US Billboard R&B singles chart, including two number ones. Selected members of the group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2013.

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