Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

One of Motown's great girl groups, Martha And The Vandellas' joyous soul anthems defined an era and remain iconic moments of American pop. Originally formed by school friends Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard under the name The Del-Phis, Reeves started working as a secretary at Motown Records, which led to the group performing backing vocals for Marvin Gaye. Re-branded as Martha And The Vandellas in 1962, the trio found huge success with Grammy Award-winning single (Love Is Like A) Heatwave, before their classic signature song Dancing In The Street reached Number 2 in the US chart and became a backdrop to the civil rights movement and nationwide riots of the time. More Top 10 hits included Nowhere To Run, Quicksand, I'm Ready For Love and Jimmy Mack, but the group split in 1972 with Reeves pursuing a solo career. Various reunion shows have occurred over the years and their influence lives on through the likes of TLC, Destiny's Child, Amy Winehouse and Pussycat Dolls.