Express Yourself! Features
MARTHA REEVES
SOUL QUEEN
By Scott Taylor
“Calling out around the world are you ready for a brand new beat?” Martha serenades
her audience with much pride and assurance, she is the queen of Motown soul. Born
in Alabama during World War II, the soulful Reeves and her (very musical) family made
way for Detroit MI., in the late forties in search of a brighter future. Martha’s humble
beginning is the American dream. Reeves' career at Motown began with secretarial
duties. She was the secretary that could sing her a-- off. When the late Mary Wells
couldn’t make a recording session, someone suggested Martha. Reeves then called
two of her friends to help her out and history was made. Martha and the Vandellas
were officially born. Martha Reeves came up the hard way. No silver spoon. She was
a young girl who often worked odd jobs to help out at home. She had to grow up fast.
This is the grit that also created stars like James Brown, Tina Turner and Etta James.
Unafraid of hard work, a challenge or a dream. This “grit” can be heard on on most of
Reeves and the Vandellas’ most famous hits.
Martha and the Vandellas got their first taste of success with the Holland-Dozier-
Holland composition, “Come And Get These Memories” However, things really got
heated up for the trio when “(Love Is Like A ) Heat Wave” hit the airwaves. “Heat
Wave” is considered the true beginning of the Motown sound. After “Heat Wave”
everything changed at Motown and so did Martha Reeves. Now permanently
released from her secretarial duties. the young star was performing almost nightly in
cities all over the USA, charming inner city crowds in venues such as the Apollo in
Harlem NYC, and the Howard theatre in Washington, DC. When Martha and the
Vandellas hit the stage, the crowds were already on their feet dancing wildly to the
infectious beat of tunes like “Quicksand”, “Live Wire” and of course “Heat Wave”.
Martha and the Vandellas hit pay dirt with the hit “Dancing In The Street”. That song
had people literally jumping out of cars and actually dancing in the street when it hit
the airwaves it became the sound of urban America, summer madness or as some will
say, the Motown anthem. The recording went gold despite the controversy. Many
disc jockeys refused to play the record in beliefs the song was a call to riot as H. Rap
Brown would use the songs title in many of his militant speeches. Many other urban
sounding hits quickly followed. Hits like “Wild One” and the hard driving “Nowhere
To Run”, a runaway hit that sounds like it was recorded in a Detroit motor factory. Its
message is almost political since a lot of black people in 1965 felt like they had
nowhere to run or hide. Subsequently, some assumed Martha and the Vandellas were
radicals.
Martha Reeves was a soul queen before Aretha’s “Respect” and before Gladys Knight
recorded “Grapevine”. She’d sing from her gut, street style. She’d come out on stage
glamorized in her Motown uniform: wig/gown/and makeup. However, not long into her
show, one could see her sweat the same way her audience did. As the latter part of
the 1960’s approached, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, once the number one female
group in the world, discovered their only competition was their label mates , the
Supremes. Although many critics felt Martha Reeves went much deeper artistically
than her counterpart Diana Ross, the label chose to better promote the Supremes.
Perhaps Motown felt Martha and the Vandellas were to “black” for mainstream
America. This lack of attention proved devastating for the band and lead Martha
Reeves into a whirlwind of confusion. The once savvy, sassy Detroit youngster with
southern flair soon found herself suffering from low self esteem, drug abuse and a
series of nervous breakdowns. Although the group was now receiving lukewarm
record sales in the States, the UK and abroad still celebrated the magic of Martha
Reeves and the Vandellas. With the motivational help of people like The Temptations'
Eddie Kendricks, Martha rose from her depression and reformed the Vandellas, this
time with a more sexy line up that included her sister, Lois Reeves. Together they
toured the UK because their release “Forget Me Not” was a big hit there.
On December 21, 1972 at Detroit’s Cobo Hall, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
officially called it a day, and perform their last concert together. Reeves was expected
to remain at Motown records as a solo artist. The single “No One There” is released in
the UK with only ’Martha Reeves’ name appearing on the label. Another single “I Won’t
Be The Fool” was slated as the next solo release, however it was cancelled when
Reeves became the first Motown artist to get a contract release. She was off to MCA
Records. At MCA records, Martha recorded two projects. The soundtrack for the
movie WILLIE DYNAMITE, and a solo rock/soul LP simply called MARTHA REEVES.
The MARTHA REEVES project gained the star much publicity and critical acclaim as
well. Much of the publicity was about the amount of money being spent on the project
by her producer Richard Perry. The LP became the most expensive album ever
produced at MCA or anywhere else at that time - in 1974. MCA didn’t spend much
promoting the project and the LP failed to chart. Martha version of Van Morrison’s
“Wild Night” is a highlight on the album and was included on the soundtrack for the
movie THELMA AND LOUISE many years later.
The next recording home for Martha Reeves was Clive Davis’ label, Arista . She
recorded an album of R&B songs entitled “THE REST OF MY LIFE”. She worked with
producers General Johnson and Tony Sylvester.(of Main Ingredient fame). The album
spawned rare gems like “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” and the funky self -penned tune
“Love Blind”. This project also failed to take off properly, even with a three star rating.
She sang “Higher and Higher” from that LP on "Saturday Night Live" in 1976. At the
close of the '70’s, Reeves recorded two more albums, this time for Fantasy Records,
"WE MEET AGAIN" and "GOTTA KEEP MOVING." Both LPs got the San Francisco
disco treatment but failed. Martha bounced back as a star In the 1979 film
FAIRYTALES then in the 1980’s, Martha Reeves reunited with her old Motown gang for
the Motown 25 TV Special that included Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. The
show was a huge hit and sparked a new interest in Reeves career as live gigs began to
pour in for her. She was quoted as saying “I’m back in the winner’s circle!”
On New Years Eve 1988 in Washington, DC, Reeves reunites with the original
Vandellas, Rosalind Ashford and Annette sterling for an concert and later a UK tour.
The trio recorded “Step In My Shoes” for Ian Levine’s Motor City Records in 1989. The
legendary Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues
Hall of Fame in 1993. Martha’s book CONFESSIONS OF A MOTOWN DIVA was
published in 1994 to great reviews and became a national best seller. In 1995, Reeves
and the Vandellas were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. In 1996 she was
the star of the traveling musical AIN”T MISBEHAVIN”. In 1998 she sang for President
Clinton during the White House Christmas tree lighting . However, Martha sang for her
biggest audience ever at the world famous SUPERBOWL in 2000.
More recently, Miss Reeves has been a player in the critically acclaimed movie
STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN. She had a successful run in the UK
touring the stage production of DANCING IN THE STREETS in early 2004 and has now
produced a new CD entitled HOME TO YOU on her very own record label, ITCH,
distributed by Life Entertainment.
I went to see Miss Reeves at B.B. King's in New York recently. She still performs a high
energy show, and still wants to meet all the fans. It was rainy and cold that night.
Two hours after the show, Reeves was still signing autographs. I escorted her to a
van that awaited her just outside the venue. Before we could get Martha out of the rain
and into the van, more fans come to her for autograph. Her people signaled for her to
leave. She looked at the van with that winning smile and says “Oh just one more, OK...
just one more”
You can reach Scott by e-mail at: Scottlight@webtv.net
Official website for MARTHA REEVES
SOUL QUEEN
By Scott Taylor
“Calling out around the world are you ready for a brand new beat?” Martha serenades
her audience with much pride and assurance, she is the queen of Motown soul. Born
in Alabama during World War II, the soulful Reeves and her (very musical) family made
way for Detroit MI., in the late forties in search of a brighter future. Martha’s humble
beginning is the American dream. Reeves' career at Motown began with secretarial
duties. She was the secretary that could sing her a-- off. When the late Mary Wells
couldn’t make a recording session, someone suggested Martha. Reeves then called
two of her friends to help her out and history was made. Martha and the Vandellas
were officially born. Martha Reeves came up the hard way. No silver spoon. She was
a young girl who often worked odd jobs to help out at home. She had to grow up fast.
This is the grit that also created stars like James Brown, Tina Turner and Etta James.
Unafraid of hard work, a challenge or a dream. This “grit” can be heard on on most of
Reeves and the Vandellas’ most famous hits.
Martha and the Vandellas got their first taste of success with the Holland-Dozier-
Holland composition, “Come And Get These Memories” However, things really got
heated up for the trio when “(Love Is Like A ) Heat Wave” hit the airwaves. “Heat
Wave” is considered the true beginning of the Motown sound. After “Heat Wave”
everything changed at Motown and so did Martha Reeves. Now permanently
released from her secretarial duties. the young star was performing almost nightly in
cities all over the USA, charming inner city crowds in venues such as the Apollo in
Harlem NYC, and the Howard theatre in Washington, DC. When Martha and the
Vandellas hit the stage, the crowds were already on their feet dancing wildly to the
infectious beat of tunes like “Quicksand”, “Live Wire” and of course “Heat Wave”.
Martha and the Vandellas hit pay dirt with the hit “Dancing In The Street”. That song
had people literally jumping out of cars and actually dancing in the street when it hit
the airwaves it became the sound of urban America, summer madness or as some will
say, the Motown anthem. The recording went gold despite the controversy. Many
disc jockeys refused to play the record in beliefs the song was a call to riot as H. Rap
Brown would use the songs title in many of his militant speeches. Many other urban
sounding hits quickly followed. Hits like “Wild One” and the hard driving “Nowhere
To Run”, a runaway hit that sounds like it was recorded in a Detroit motor factory. Its
message is almost political since a lot of black people in 1965 felt like they had
nowhere to run or hide. Subsequently, some assumed Martha and the Vandellas were
radicals.
Martha Reeves was a soul queen before Aretha’s “Respect” and before Gladys Knight
recorded “Grapevine”. She’d sing from her gut, street style. She’d come out on stage
glamorized in her Motown uniform: wig/gown/and makeup. However, not long into her
show, one could see her sweat the same way her audience did. As the latter part of
the 1960’s approached, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, once the number one female
group in the world, discovered their only competition was their label mates , the
Supremes. Although many critics felt Martha Reeves went much deeper artistically
than her counterpart Diana Ross, the label chose to better promote the Supremes.
Perhaps Motown felt Martha and the Vandellas were to “black” for mainstream
America. This lack of attention proved devastating for the band and lead Martha
Reeves into a whirlwind of confusion. The once savvy, sassy Detroit youngster with
southern flair soon found herself suffering from low self esteem, drug abuse and a
series of nervous breakdowns. Although the group was now receiving lukewarm
record sales in the States, the UK and abroad still celebrated the magic of Martha
Reeves and the Vandellas. With the motivational help of people like The Temptations'
Eddie Kendricks, Martha rose from her depression and reformed the Vandellas, this
time with a more sexy line up that included her sister, Lois Reeves. Together they
toured the UK because their release “Forget Me Not” was a big hit there.
On December 21, 1972 at Detroit’s Cobo Hall, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
officially called it a day, and perform their last concert together. Reeves was expected
to remain at Motown records as a solo artist. The single “No One There” is released in
the UK with only ’Martha Reeves’ name appearing on the label. Another single “I Won’t
Be The Fool” was slated as the next solo release, however it was cancelled when
Reeves became the first Motown artist to get a contract release. She was off to MCA
Records. At MCA records, Martha recorded two projects. The soundtrack for the
movie WILLIE DYNAMITE, and a solo rock/soul LP simply called MARTHA REEVES.
The MARTHA REEVES project gained the star much publicity and critical acclaim as
well. Much of the publicity was about the amount of money being spent on the project
by her producer Richard Perry. The LP became the most expensive album ever
produced at MCA or anywhere else at that time - in 1974. MCA didn’t spend much
promoting the project and the LP failed to chart. Martha version of Van Morrison’s
“Wild Night” is a highlight on the album and was included on the soundtrack for the
movie THELMA AND LOUISE many years later.
The next recording home for Martha Reeves was Clive Davis’ label, Arista . She
recorded an album of R&B songs entitled “THE REST OF MY LIFE”. She worked with
producers General Johnson and Tony Sylvester.(of Main Ingredient fame). The album
spawned rare gems like “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” and the funky self -penned tune
“Love Blind”. This project also failed to take off properly, even with a three star rating.
She sang “Higher and Higher” from that LP on "Saturday Night Live" in 1976. At the
close of the '70’s, Reeves recorded two more albums, this time for Fantasy Records,
"WE MEET AGAIN" and "GOTTA KEEP MOVING." Both LPs got the San Francisco
disco treatment but failed. Martha bounced back as a star In the 1979 film
FAIRYTALES then in the 1980’s, Martha Reeves reunited with her old Motown gang for
the Motown 25 TV Special that included Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. The
show was a huge hit and sparked a new interest in Reeves career as live gigs began to
pour in for her. She was quoted as saying “I’m back in the winner’s circle!”
On New Years Eve 1988 in Washington, DC, Reeves reunites with the original
Vandellas, Rosalind Ashford and Annette sterling for an concert and later a UK tour.
The trio recorded “Step In My Shoes” for Ian Levine’s Motor City Records in 1989. The
legendary Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues
Hall of Fame in 1993. Martha’s book CONFESSIONS OF A MOTOWN DIVA was
published in 1994 to great reviews and became a national best seller. In 1995, Reeves
and the Vandellas were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. In 1996 she was
the star of the traveling musical AIN”T MISBEHAVIN”. In 1998 she sang for President
Clinton during the White House Christmas tree lighting . However, Martha sang for her
biggest audience ever at the world famous SUPERBOWL in 2000.
More recently, Miss Reeves has been a player in the critically acclaimed movie
STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN. She had a successful run in the UK
touring the stage production of DANCING IN THE STREETS in early 2004 and has now
produced a new CD entitled HOME TO YOU on her very own record label, ITCH,
distributed by Life Entertainment.
I went to see Miss Reeves at B.B. King's in New York recently. She still performs a high
energy show, and still wants to meet all the fans. It was rainy and cold that night.
Two hours after the show, Reeves was still signing autographs. I escorted her to a
van that awaited her just outside the venue. Before we could get Martha out of the rain
and into the van, more fans come to her for autograph. Her people signaled for her to
leave. She looked at the van with that winning smile and says “Oh just one more, OK...
just one more”
You can reach Scott by e-mail at: Scottlight@webtv.net
Official website for MARTHA REEVES
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