Music / Politics
Martha Reeves
born 1941 · singer, former Detroit City Council member
Lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, who went from Motown secretary to star with “Heat Wave” and “Dancing in the Street”, and later served on the Detroit City Council.
- Born
Eufaula, Alabama
age 85- Birth name
- Martha Rose Reeves
- Detroit years
- 1941–1972, 2000s
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Martha Reeves was a baby when her family moved from Alabama to Detroit, where her grandfather was a minister at Metropolitan Church. At Northeastern High School she trained with vocal coach Abraham Silver, who also taught members of the Supremes and the Miracles. By day she worked odd jobs; by night she sang jazz and blues at clubs such as the 20 Grand, where Motown's Mickey Stevenson handed her his card. She showed up at Hitsville U.S.A. the next morning, became his secretary, and soon stepped up to the microphone. Named for Van Dyke Street and her idol Della Reese, Martha and the Vandellas cut a string of Holland–Dozier–Holland hits, and “Dancing in the Street” became one of Motown's anthems. After Motown moved to Los Angeles she went solo, and from 2005 to 2009 she served as an elected member of the Detroit City Council.
Highlights
- “Heat Wave” (1963), the group's first million-seller
- “Dancing in the Street” (1964), a Motown anthem
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Vandellas (1995)
- Detroit City Council member (2005–2009)
- Group name came from Van Dyke Street and Della Reese
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 5
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Recorded here · early 1960s–1972
Motown Museum
She began here as a secretary in the A&R department and recorded the Vandellas' hits in Studio A. Now the Motown Museum.
Performed here · c. 1960–1961
20 Grand (Twenty Grand) nightclub
Closed
The Detroit nightclub where she sang standards and was spotted by Motown's Mickey Stevenson.
Studied here · 1950s
Northeastern High School
Closed
Her high school, where vocal coach Abraham Silver trained her.
Worked here · 2005–2009
The Spirit of Detroit
Seat of the Detroit City Council, on which she served one term.
Related place · 1962–
Van Dyke Street
Her favorite Detroit street gave the Vandellas the first half of their name.