Martha & the Vandellas

Martha & the Vandellas Artistfacts

  • 1962-1972
    Martha Reeves
    Annette Beard Sterling Helton1962-1964
    Rosalind Ashford Holmes1962-1970
    Betty Kelly1964-1967
    Sandra "Lois" Reeves1967-1972
    Sandra Tilley1970-1972
  • The name "Vandella" was inspired by Van Dyke Street in Detroit and Martha Reeves' favorite singer: Della Reese.
  • Before joining the Vandellas, Betty Kelly and Sandra Tilley were members (though not at the same time) of another girl group called the Velvelettes.
  • Lois Reeves, a member from 1967-1972, is Martha's younger sister.
  • In 1967, Martha Reeves' last name was added to the group's name, making them Martha Reeves & the Vandellas.
  • In the 1990s, Martha Reeves had two sets of Vandellas that took turns performing with her: the original members (Rosalind and Annette) and her two sisters Lois and Delphine.
  • The Supremes were the top female group at Motown records, but Martha & the Vandellas did very well, with a string of hits in the mid-'60s that includes "Dancing In The Street" and "Jimmy Mack." They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
  • Motown A&R director Mickey Stevenson discovered Martha Reeves when she was singing in a Detroit club. He gave her his card, but when she showed up he was too busy to see her, so he asked her to answer the phone. She did, and she became Motown's de-facto secretary until Stevenson could audition her.

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