Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the… Read Full Bio ↴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.
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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The Ultimate Collection
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave Reeves Martha And The Vandellas Miscellaneous Whenever I'm w…
Bless You This mornin' when I woke up, sushine touched my heart…
Come and Get These Memories Lover you've gone from me and left behind So many memories …
Dancing in the Street Calling out around the world Are you ready for a brand…
Forget Me Not Now we kiss good-bye you'll be off to war, the battle's…
Honey Chile You're shiftless and you're lazy Just like the hound dog, Da…
I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playin' Babe, I wanna tell you what's exactly on my mind…
I Promise To Wait My Love I promise to wait, my love, right here till you…
I Should Be Proud I was under the dryer when the telegram came: "Private John…
I'm Ready For Love As I stand alone on this moonful night for the…
In My Lonely Room Every single time you take me out with you You…
Jimmy Mack Jimmy Mack Jimmy Oh, Jimmy Mack when are you comin' back Jim…
Live Wire It's my birthday, and he forgot again Every time we…
Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone LOVE BUG LEAVE MY HEART ALONE Martha and The Vandellas Oh y…
My Baby Loves Me My baby loves me, oh yeah My baby needs me,…
Nowhere To Run Nowhere to run to, baby (nowhere to run, nowhere to…
Quicksand You're like quicksand, quicksand, pulling me closer closer i…
Wild One Wild one, wild one Wild one, you're a rebel And they…
You've Been In Love Too Long Girls, you've been in love too long (You're a fool…
We also have lyrics for these tracks by Martha Reeves:
(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave Whenever I’m with him Something inside Starts to burning And…
Dancing In The Street Calling out around the world, Are you ready for a brand…
I'm Ready For Love As I stand alone on this moonful night for the…
Jimmy Mack Jimmy Mack Jimmy, Oh Jimmy Mack when are you comin'…
My Baby Loves Me MY BABY LOVES ME Martha and The Vandellas My baby loves me…
Nowhere To Run Nowhere to run to, baby, nowhere to hide Got nowhere to…
Quicksand You're like quicksand, quicksand, pulling me closer closer i…
You've Been In Love Too Long Girls, you've been in love too long (You're a fool…