Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful and soulful girl groups of the 1960s Motown era. Originally formed in Detroit in 1957 as The Del-Phis, the group eventually evolved into the powerhouse trio that defined a grittier, R&B-influenced side of the "Motown Sound" compared to the polished pop style of The Supremes.
Founded by high school friends Annette Beard, Rosalind Ashford, and Gloria Williams. Martha Reeves joined the group later. Martha Reeves originally landed a secretarial job at Motown Records' Hitsville U.S.A.. In 1962, when back-up singers were needed for a Marvin Gaye session, she called her groupmates. Motown head Berry Gordy was so impressed he signed them as Martha and the Vandellas after Williams' departure.
Origin of Name: Martha combined the name of her favorite singer, Della Reese, with Van Dyke Street, which bordered her Detroit home.
The group achieved over 26 hits between 1963 and 1972, including:
"Come and Get These Memories" (1963): Their first major breakthrough.
"(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" (1963): A million-selling single that reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Dancing in the Street" (1964): Their signature song and most iconic hit, peaking at #2. It later became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement.
Other Notable Hits: "Quicksand" (1963), "Nowhere to Run" (1965), "Jimmy Mack" (1967), and "Honey Chile" (1967).
Original members were Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, and Annette Beard. Beard was replaced by Betty Kelly in 1964; Kelly was later replaced by Martha's sister, Lois Reeves, in 1967. In 1967, the group was officially renamed Martha Reeves & The Vandellas to highlight the lead singer.
After Motown's relocation to Los Angeles in 1971, the group disbanded in 1972 following a final concert at Detroit’s Cobo Hall. Reeves released her self-titled debut solo album on MCA in 1974, followed by recordings for Arista and Fantasy Records.
Honors: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. Martha Reeves received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024.
As of 2025, Martha Reeves remains active, performing worldwide with a current Vandellas lineup that includes her sisters, Lois and Delphine.
Heat Wave
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland 2:39
A2 Then He Kissed Me
Written-By – Spector-Greenwich-Barry 2:30
A3 Hey There Lonely Boy
Written By – Shuman-Carr 2:31
A4 More
Written-By – Oliviero, Newell, Ortolani 2:13
A5 Danke Schoen
Written-By – Kaempfert, Gabler 3:03
A6 If I Had A Hammer
Written By – Hays-Seeger 2:14
B1 Hello Stranger
Written-By – Lewis 2:38
B2 Just One Look
Written By – Carroll-Payne 2:32
B3 Wait Till My Bobby Gets Home
Written By – Spector-Greenwich 2:16
B4 My Boyfriend's Back
Written By – Feldman-Goldstein-Gottehrer 2:07
B5 Mockingbird
Written By – Foxx/Foxx 2:30
Label: Gordy – GLP 907
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1963
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Motown
Martha & The Vandellas' 1963 album, Heat Wave, is praised as an essential, confident early Motown release, anchored by Martha Reeves' powerful vocals and Holland-Dozier-Holland's dynamic, sax-driven production, though it's an uneven mix of classic covers and the iconic title track, cementing their place as a top girl group despite filler songs. Reviewers highlight the energy of the title track, strong harmonies, and the band's developing sound, but note some covers fall flat, making it a beloved but imperfect gem.
The Title Track, "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" is universally acclaimed as a standout, praised for its propulsive energy, catchy hooks, and explosive arrangement.
Martha Reeves' strong, confident lead vocals are seen as the heart of the group, bringing life to the tracks.
The album showcases early Motown hallmarks, featuring baritone sax, tambourines, and driving rhythms. The tight, precise backing vocals from Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard are a major highlight.
While containing classics, the album mixes its hits with lesser-known covers of 1963 pop hits (like "My Boyfriend's Back," "Danke Schoen"), which some find clogs the album's flow.
Some cover versions are considered only for die-hard fans, lacking the freshness of the original hits or the group's signature sound.
Overall, Heat Wave is considered a vital early Motown record, offering a confident, energetic, and exhilarating listen, even if it isn't a perfectly cohesive album; its highs, especially the title track, are legendary.
Watchout!
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland 2:52
A2 One Way Out
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland 2:33
A3 Jimmy Mack
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland 2:47
A4 Let This Day Be
Written-By – Frank Wilson 2:39
A5 Keep It Up
Written-By – Wm. Robinson 3:08
A6 Happiness Is Guaranteed
Written-By – H. Lewis, I. Hunter, K. Lewis 2:18
B1 I'll Follow You
Written-By – H. Fuqua, J. Bristol 2:24
B2 No More Tearstained Make Up
Written-By – Wm. Robinson 2:23
B3 Go Ahead And Laugh
Written-By – Wm. Stevenson, I. Hunter 2:55
B4 What Am I Going To Do Without Your Love
Written-By – S. Moy, Wm. Stevenson 3:00
B5 Tell Me I'll Never Be Alone
Written-By – J. Dean, L.Ware, Wm. Weatherspoon 2:40
B6 He Doesn't Love Her Anymore
Written-By – I. Hunter 3:01
Label: Gordy – GLP 920
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1966
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Motown
Martha & The Vandellas' Watchout! (1966) is a highly-regarded Motown album, praised for its depth beyond typical singles, showcasing diverse moods with standout tracks like the anthemic "Jimmy Mack," the soulful "No More Tearstained Make Up," the funky "Happiness Is Guaranteed," and the powerful "Tell Me I'll Never Be Alone," presenting the group at their peak with solid album cuts and enduring soul, making it a classic for dedicated fans and a great listen for general Motown enthusiasts.
While containing major singles, Watchout! is celebrated as an album with "all killer no filler," featuring strong album tracks that were almost hits themselves. The album moves beyond dance tracks, exploring deeper, moodier soul with peerless interpretations by Martha Reeves, notes a reviewer.
Standout Tracks:
"Jimmy Mack": A classic hit that showcases the group's power.
"No More Tearstained Make Up": A subtle, beautiful, and favorite track written by Smokey Robinson.
"Happiness Is Guaranteed": Features a magical, funky guitar riff and became a significant single.
"Tell Me I'll Never Be Alone": Described as a perfect construction and an oft-overlooked gem.
"I'm Ready For Love": Another strong single with emotional weight.
The album embodies the best of Motown with driving rhythms, punchy backing, and heartfelt vocals.
Reviewers laud Watchout! as a stellar entry in the Motown catalog, offering a rich blend of uptempo soul and poignant ballads, solidifying Martha & The Vandellas' status as a premier girl group. It's considered a must-have for fans of classic Motown and mid-60s soul.