Post by Admin on Jul 21, 2021 15:22:41 GMT -4
We're wishing a very Happy Belated Birthday to the great Martha Reeves, born July 18, 1941....80 Years Young.
While throughout the 60s Diana Ross was the highest profile female singing star at Motown and was the major recipient of Berry Gordy's marketing efforts and personal affection, Martha Reeves was the other female anchor, an underrated performer who fronted a number of the label's biggest songs and ultimately became perhaps the most revered of the Motown stars in the Motor City. While Ross charmed with her seductive, slight soprano voice, Reeves showed a whole lotta church in her interpretations, belting out a series of memorable uptempo hits like she was singing joyous praises to God.
Born in Eufaula, Alabama and raised in Detroit as the daughter of Ruby and Elijah Reeves, Martha spent her childhood singing in church and became somewhat of a local sensation while she attended Detroit's Northeastern High School. Along with friends Annette Beard and Rosalind Holmes, Reeves formed the Del-Phis, later renamed the Vels. They encountered Motown VP William "Mickey" Stevenson at a local nightclub and he invited them to audition at Motown's Grand Boulevard headquarters. The visit landed the Vels a minor contract on Motown's Mel-O-Dy Records division and provided Reeves with a secretarial position at the label.
While throughout the 60s Diana Ross was the highest profile female singing star at Motown and was the major recipient of Berry Gordy's marketing efforts and personal affection, Martha Reeves was the other female anchor, an underrated performer who fronted a number of the label's biggest songs and ultimately became perhaps the most revered of the Motown stars in the Motor City. While Ross charmed with her seductive, slight soprano voice, Reeves showed a whole lotta church in her interpretations, belting out a series of memorable uptempo hits like she was singing joyous praises to God.
Born in Eufaula, Alabama and raised in Detroit as the daughter of Ruby and Elijah Reeves, Martha spent her childhood singing in church and became somewhat of a local sensation while she attended Detroit's Northeastern High School. Along with friends Annette Beard and Rosalind Holmes, Reeves formed the Del-Phis, later renamed the Vels. They encountered Motown VP William "Mickey" Stevenson at a local nightclub and he invited them to audition at Motown's Grand Boulevard headquarters. The visit landed the Vels a minor contract on Motown's Mel-O-Dy Records division and provided Reeves with a secretarial position at the label.
