Upcoming Martha Reeves Fundraiser in Plymouth, Michigan

[woodward]

Hopefully some forum members will be able to attend this upcoming event in Plymouth, Michigan early March. Details in the story below.

This will greatly help her upcoming celebration for the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2024/02/21/martha-reeves-hollywood-walk-of-fame-plymouth-mixer/72687126007/

[stingbeelee]

I strongly feel that if the Vandellas aren't included in the Walk of Fame, then perhaps a star shouldn't be given. All of Martha's hits were recorded with the Vandellas. Perhaps she did reach the top forty with her solo records, I'm not sure, but who in the public remembers her solo records? For them to be left out is not good. It is the same when Smokey Robinson was inducted into the RR Hall of Fame and the Miracles weren't. It sucks eggs.

[carlo]

I agree with you, stingbeelee. It would be a different matter if Martha was paying for this star and the reception out of her own pocket, then I would say she can put her name on it, and her name only, if she wants to. However, since the fans have been making contributions and donations, in principal, honouring the Vandellas would be the right thing to do. Is she obligated? No, but it would be the right thing. Her fame is very much tied in with the Vandellas, despite having had a career after the group ended.

That being said, I did buy one of the expensive signed prints last year, as part of her fundraising campaign. I wish her well with this second fundraiser to secure funds for her reception. If I lived closer, I would probably attend this event.

[Roberta75]

I agree with you, stingbeelee. It would be a different matter if Martha was paying for this star and the reception out of her own pocket, then I would say she can put her name on it, and her name only, if she wants to. However, since the fans have been making contributions and donations, in principal, honouring the Vandellas would be the right thing to do. Is she obligated? No, but it would be the right thing. Her fame is very much tied in with the Vandellas, despite having had a career after the group ended.

That being said, I did buy one of the expensive signed prints last year, as part of her fundraising campaign. I wish her well with this second fundraiser to secure funds for her reception. If I lived closer, I would probably attend this event.

Lord knows I love love love Dr Reeves so much and consider her the First lady of Motown Records and i have supported and encouraged her fundraising to get her star on the walk of fame but im real dissapointed that shes having another fundraiser to pay for a party after the walk of fame ceremony. Come on now, we are all struggling real hard to buy groceries and pay high electric and gas bills and car insurance rates have almost doubled so im sorry but i feel Miss Reeves should be paying her own hotel expenses in LA and her after party for friends and fans. I will always love her but this is a bit inconsiderate and selfish IMO. BTW, it pains me a lot to write this.

[jobeterob]

This is kind of embarrassing. Is she really aware of and behind all of this? She already has a legacy and this doesn’t further it. And no, she had no solo hits at all.

[ralpht]

I wish Motown would pony up the money for the fee. After all, it shines a bright light on the company , having produced the stars involved.

[Roberta75]

I wish Motown would pony up the money for the fee. After all, it shines a bright light on the company , having produced the stars involved.

120% correct my dear Ralph.

[carlo]

Lord knows I love love love Dr Reeves so much and consider her the First lady of Motown Records and i have supported and encouraged her fundraising to get her star on the walk of fame but im real dissapointed that shes having another fundraiser to pay for a party after the walk of fame ceremony. Come on now, we are all struggling real hard to buy groceries and pay high electric and gas bills and car insurance rates have almost doubled so im sorry but i feel Miss Reeves should be paying her own hotel expenses in LA and her after party for friends and fans. I will always love her but this is a bit inconsiderate and selfish IMO. BTW, it pains me a lot to write this.

I agree with you, Roberta. When we had the initial discussion about her Hollywood Star campaign on the forum last year, her manager had mentioned the two phase fundraiser. The second phase, which they are working on now, is to raise an additional $25K for the reception, travel expenses and accomodations. I had mentioned at the time that the $25K ask for these expenses seemed very inflated and unnecessary. He made it seem like it was a requirement for him to secure Martha with first class airfare, hotel and a reception, with none of it being at any cost to her. I agree with your post. After we all contributed to get her this star, she should pay her own way, or one of her business affiliates should take care of it [ie. Berry Gordy, Universal Music, etc]. She and her manager should not be asking the fans for a second handout.

[jobeterob]

I’m not so sure a public company like Universal can cough $25000 to any artist who really has no upside left for the company or shareholders; it sets a precedent as well.

Maybe contact could be made to one of her well heeled colleagues who could help quietly.

I said this was embarrassing but it is more sad than embarrassing.

Who the heck would want this kind of appeal going to the public. Frankly it isn’t that much money and the fact no one has it is awful to publicly expose like this - it’s frickin awful. I don’t understand why this is being done to her.

[carlo]

I’m not so sure a public company like Universal can cough $25000 to any artist who really has no upside left for the company or shareholders; it sets a precedent as well.

I was just giving a quick example. I wouldn't expect UMG to step up for that either. My point was that it shouldn't be the fans who are expected to give money for this, when many of us already contributed to secure her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

[ralpht]

Just because someone is a so called star, doesn't mean they have that kind of money to purchase their own coveted star. Not all are rich. I'm sure the major labels, including,Universal Motown, can scratch around in their pockets for the money to cover that nut.

[milven]

... honouring the Vandellas would be the right thing to do. Is she obligated? No, but it would be the right thing. Her fame is very much tied in with the Vandellas, despite having had a career after the group ended....


Her solo career consisted mostly of carrying on the legend of the group. Her legacy is the group. When i was a teen, i was buying all those records by Martha and the Vandellas and never even was aware of the name Martha Reeves back then. The star should say MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS. Even the PLATTERS and THE SUPREMES have the groups original names on their stars. They don't say DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES or TONY WILLIAMS AND THE PLATTERS.

And after reading all this financial stuff about the stars, it no longer seems like that much of an honor if they have to pay for it themselves. It brings much publicity and tourists to the city. Its a no brainer as to who should pay for it

[motony]

MARTHA REEVES is the GREATEST AMBASSADOR for Motown Record Corp.

[midnightman]

Her solo career consisted mostly of carrying on the legend of the group. Her legacy is the group. When i was a teen, i was buying all those records by Martha and the Vandellas and never even was aware of the name Martha Reeves back then. The star should say MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS. Even the PLATTERS and THE SUPREMES have the groups original names on their stars. They don't say DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES or TONY WILLIAMS AND THE PLATTERS.

And after reading all this financial stuff about the stars, it no longer seems like that much of an honor if they have to pay for it themselves. It brings much publicity and tourists to the city. Its a no brainer as to who should pay for it

Even the biggest legends of music and acting haven't gotten it or have refused a star. Prince, Madonna and Whitney Houston are just a few of the super legends that have refused one albeit for different reasons but yeah having a star is sometimes not that it's all cracked up to be.

[Boogiedown]

Even the biggest legends of music and acting haven't gotten it or have refused a star. Prince, Madonna and Whitney Houston are just a few of the super legends that have refused one albeit for different reasons but yeah having a star is sometimes not that it's all cracked up to be.


You got that right!!!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6paWWiROhM

[loveblind]

The Vandellas were not a nominated.Martha had nothing to do with that.

[loveblind]

No celebrity pays for the star. Usually a fan club does it. Katt Williams paid for Melba Moore’s star.

[Boogiedown]

So any word on the $25,000 reception??


How'd it go ??? Who attended ?? Where was it?? What was served?

Any chance local boy, Hollywood insider, Motown appreciator, Evan Ross hosted at his place or offered food ??

[DWSheffer]

I saw some spectator footage on Youtube last evening and it looked like everyone walked to the Roosevelt Hotel at 7000 Hollywood Blvd. after the ceremony, so the reception might have been held there. They showed Stevie being escorted there, as well as Martha.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWa7TUFfRbA

I didn't hear one word on how this fund raiser event in Plymouth went either. If I had to guess, attendance was dismal.
Darin

[DWSheffer]

And I must add Mr. Gordy looks really good for 94 years old!!

[Boogiedown]

I saw some spectator footage on Youtube last evening and it looked like everyone walked to the Roosevelt Hotel at 7000 Hollywood Blvd. after the ceremony, so the reception might have been held there. They showed Stevie being escorted there, as well as Martha.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWa7TUFfRbA

I didn't hear one word on how this fund raiser event in Plymouth went either. If I had to guess, attendance was dismal.
Darin

zowey!! thanks for sharing that footage. Kind of a mixed blessing, we get to see some of this stuff because the average joe can now bring us what the pros fail to. But good gosh to be hollered at constantly with random crapola while trying to walk down the street.


I guess Martha footed the bill to get the guests taxied there, but nothing for them afterwards !! But good for her, she didn't do for herself what she didn't do for others ....there she is trekking down the street in her fancy clothes/ shoes/HAT past the liquor store and pizza joint.

I wonder when the last time was that Stevie walked that far ?? Especially in public.