Motown legend Martha Reeves: ‘I thought I’d be dead by 35’

Martha Reeves, the iconic lead singer of the Motown group Martha and the Vandellas, is set to release her first album in 22 years titled Searching. At 85, Reeves has already achieved legendary status, having contributed to some of Motown's most enduring hits, including “Dancing in the Street,” “Nowhere to Run,” and “Jimmy Mack.” Her work has earned her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which was unveiled in 2024 with appearances by Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder. Despite these accolades, Reeves remains active, driven by a belief that her purpose is to continue sharing her gift. Born in Alabama, Reeves moved to Detroit with her family shortly after her birth. Music was deeply embedded in her early life. Her mother, Ruby, taught her songs while brushing her hair, and her father, Elijah, played blues guitar alongside John Lee Hooker. Reeves' musical journey began at age three, when she and her older brothers won candy at a church talent show. Their performance marked her first experience of singing, solidifying her conviction that music was her destiny. Reeves pursued her passion while balancing work. By 16, she had joined a local group called The Del-Phis, performing throughout Detroit. She also sang solo, earning a residency at a Detroit club. It was there that Motown’s A&R man, William “Mickey” Stevenson, noticed her talent. However, their initial meeting did not unfold as she had hoped. Upon arriving at the studio, she was asked to answer a phone and wait while Stevenson attended to other matters. During those three hours, he received numerous calls, each one detailed in neat notes. Impressed by her attention to detail, he offered her a position as his secretary. Despite the unexpected start, Reeves found herself immersed in Motown’s inner workings. Working in the A&R department allowed her frequent exposure to emerging artists. She vividly recalls being introduced to a young Stevie Wonder, who was brought directly to her. The child displayed extraordinary talent, playing the typewriter and telephone with equal skill. Reeves described him as a genius, noting that he was born with a gift for music. Motown, founded by Berry Gordy, adopted a structured approach to producing records, drawing inspiration from the Ford car factory’s assembly-line model. Songwriting teams like Holland-Dozier-Holland crafted the tracks, while the in-house Funk Brothers provided backing. Artists were assigned specific songs, but the process was not always straightforward. When Mary Wells, a Motown legend, missed a recording session, Reeves stepped in to perform her part. This moment led to the formation of Martha and the Vandellas. Reeves continued to contribute to the group’s success, often participating in sessions even when not officially assigned. She recalls instances where she would hear other artists’ voices during recordings, leading to unexpected collaborations. One such instance occurred when she was asked to sing a song originally written for Marvin Gaye. Gaye, impressed by her interpretation, decided to remove his own vocal track from the final version. “Dancing in the Street” became a massive hit upon its 1964 release, though Reeves expressed regret that Gaye’s version was not heard. Her latest project, Searching, marks a return to creative expression after nearly two decades. With a legacy built on decades of contribution to Motown’s golden era, Reeves continues to embrace her role as a storyteller and performer, guided by the belief that her purpose is to share her talent with the world.