It was 1962 when Motown's Artist and Repertoire Director William "Mickey" Stevenson first heard the voice that would become synonymous with "the sound of young America." A young jazz and blues singer with the unlikely name of Martha Lavaille was bringing audiences to their feet at Detroit's famed 20 Grand Nightclub performing cover songs made popular by singers such as Gloria Lyne and Delta Reese. Stevenson invited her to audition at the new Motown Records headquarters, "Hitsville USA."
Though the audition never happened, within a year, Martha had taken the reigns of the company's A&R department. She saw that musicians showed up on time and got paid. She watched, learned, and took advantage of every opportunity that presented itself. And when she did, everyone took notice. When Mary Wells couldn't make a session, Martha was called to the mic. With her group, the Del Phi's, she recorded "I'll Have to Let Him Go," and Martha and the Vandellas was born.
The song was rather forgettable but Reeves' sound wasn't. While waiting for her first hit, Martha, along with Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard, backed Marvin Gaye on his first three releases and sang with him on stage. Soon, however, they emerged from the shadows with "Come and Get These Memories" followed by an enviable string of hits: "Heat Wave," "Quicksand," "In My Lonely Room," "Nowhere to Run," "Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things," "I'm Ready for Love," "Jimmy Mack" and of course the Motown anthem "Dancing in the Street."
After leaving Motown in 1972, Martha continued to expand her musical horizons, establishing herself as a singer-songwriter with few limitations. She sang rock, jazz, country, gospel, blues and classical. Her singing companions included everyone from "The Godfather" (James Brown) and "The Boss" (Bruce Springsteen) to opera diva Beverly Sills and gospel king Rance Allen. She headlined a national touring company of the musical "Ain't Misbehavin'" and for three years toured the UK in the musical review "Dancing in the Street."
Martha Reeves continues to thrill audiences around the world. Her self-produced 2004 CD "Home to You" was named one of the year's best by the Asbury Park Press. In 2005, Will Smith mined the Motown vaults to uncover her unreleased gem "It's Easy to Fall in Love" and included it in the hit movie "Hitch." Also in 2005, Motown released Martha's "Lost and Found" collection which included the rare Smokey Robinson penned song entitled "Spellbound," her studio recording of "For Once in My Life," and covers of hits by the likes of Aretha Franklin, the Marvelettes, Vikki Carr, Sam & Dave and the Four Tops. She was also featured in the PBS special "Motown The Early Years" and wrote liner notes for the four set CD package. A "Gold Collection" was released in March 2006 and "The Definitive Collection" in 2009. Her 1968 recording "Live at the Copa" remains in the vaults, but a release is anticipated in the near future.
Martha just completed a four-year run as a member of the Detroit City Council. She is back on the road full time, making sure that no one ever forgets the Motor City. Be sure to visit her website at http://www.missmarthareeves.com.