When Martha Reeves dances on to the stage – to the thumping beats of I’m Ready for Love, the rocking rhythms of Van Morrison’s Wild Night, or the fiery chords of Heat Wave – it is hard to believe that its been more than 45 years since she and the Vandellas made their musical mark with the bluesy, Come and Get These Memories. It was that recording that inspired Berry Gordy to coin the term “The Motown Sound” and that put the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland on the map. It was that recording that led to a decade of memorable music, earning Martha the title of Motown’s ultimate soul diva. With an energy that belies her age, she keeps audiences on their feet with the gospel-tinged Nowhere to Run, the pop-driven Jimmy Mack, and high-energy tributes to Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and others. And displaying the versatility that made her a favorite with Motown writers and producers, she goes jazzy with songs by Ellington and Billie Holiday.

With a background in gospel, opera and jazz, Martha Reeves came to Motown in 1962 after being discovered by the label’s A & R director, Mickey Stevenson. Arriving at Hitsville USA unannounced, she parlayed an inopportune moment into an opportunity, answering phones and becoming the label’s first A & R secretary. She jokes, “I was a singer who could type, which made me an asset.”

Martha’s assets came into full realization when Mary Wells missed a session and the company needed a singer in the studio when union reps visited. She called singing buddies Annette Beard and Rosalind Ashford (as the Del-Phi’s they had recorded on Chess Records) to back her on a track called I’ll Have to Let Him Go, and Martha & the Vandellas was born. The rest, as they say, is history.

Martha and her cohorts went on to provide vocals on Marvin Gaye’s first three hits, and help establish Holland-Dozier-Holland as Motown’s top songwriting team.

No history of American music can be written without Martha Reeves, and no history of Martha Reeves can be written without Dancing In The Street. Her clarion call for the nation to party in the midst of the Civil Rights struggle remains evergreen. Rolling Stone ranked it one of the top 10 songs that changed America. And, it is entered into the U.S. Library of Congress’ list of historic recordings.

Today, Martha maintains a dual career. Most days will find her serving as a member of the City Council for her beloved Detroit, and speaking out as the city’s most vibrant and visible ambassador. She continues to travel the world, carrying on the grand Motown musical tradition. In 2008, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas played clubs, corporate dates and casinos across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. In October 2008, Martha was special guest vocalist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra for a sold-out stint at Tokyo’s Cotton Club.

Martha Reeves is a Motown treasure. Whether on the performing or the civic stage, Martha Reeves is dedicated to ensuring that you “can’t forget the Motor City.”

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