Martha Reeves at the Arts Club last year – pic by Getintothis’ Peter Goodbody
After Martha Reeves cancelled her show in the city in the summer, Getintothis’ Shaun Ponsonby is delighted to report that she is returning to make it up to us.
After having to cancel a live and in conversation appearance at the Cavern last summer, Motown icon Martha Reeves has made good on her promise to return, and is coming for a make-up show in the Baltic Triangle’s brand new venue, Hanger34, this December.
Throughout her incredible career, Martha has remained one of the most enduring presences at Motown. Prior to being amongst the label’s most distinctive voices, Reeves served as the secretary at the Motown offices. She oversaw many of the day-to-day operations at the company, and was present at the auditions of many of their early stars.
She eventually began singing as backing vocalist on Marvin Gaye’s first hit, Stubborn Kinda Fellow, leading to the formation of her own group.
Martha & The Vandellas went on to record a plethora of iconic hits, including; Nowhere To Run, (Love Is Like a) Heat Wave, Jimmy Mack, Quicksand, Ready For Love, Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things).
For all the talk of Diana Ross & The Supremes being Motown’s biggest girl group, it is the Vandellas’ Dancing In The Street which is the label’s greatest anthem, and it is Martha Reeves who provided the southern grit to Motown’s otherwise pop-friendly soul.
Her last show in the city was a rip roaring success, which Getintothis referred to as a “class act all the way”. There are few legends of her calibre still gracing audiences, to not take advantage of her appearance would be downright foolish.
- Martha Reeves & The Vandellas play Hanger34 on Thursday, December 15. Tickets on sale Friday, October 21.
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