MARTHA REEVES Cover Story Interview & New Photos

[David Ybarra]

Hi fellow Soulful Detroiters,

Though this is my first post to the forum, I'm no stranger to the incredible community of passionate soul music historians, afficianados and archivists here. I've learned so much from the different [[highly detailed) threads and discovered a plethora of new music, in the process. I look forward to checking out the forum threads every day, throughout the day. Thank you for keeping it lively!

That said, I just wanted to share with other forum members that MARTHA REEVES is featured in an exclusive interview and photo session in the latest issue of Daeida Magazine now online at www.daeida.com. You can read the entire interview and see the gorgeous images [[it's best if you view it in "Full Screen" mode) by simply clicking on either cover [[Peggy March is the other artist featured on the cover). We're in the process of updating our archive and getting ready for a very soulful lineup in the coming months. -- David @ Daeida

3453

[marv2]

Martha looks great. She's one of my favorite ladies. I'll check it out.

Thanks David!

[Roberta75]

Hi fellow Soulful Detroiters,

Though this is my first post to the forum, I'm no stranger to the incredible community of passionate soul music historians, afficianados and archivists here. I've learned so much from the different [[highly detailed) threads and discovered a plethora of new music, in the process. I look forward to checking out the forum threads every day, throughout the day. Thank you for keeping it lively!

That said, I just wanted to share with other forum members that MARTHA REEVES is featured in an exclusive interview and photo session in the latest issue of Daeida Magazine now online at www.daeida.com. You can read the entire interview and see the gorgeous images [[it's best if you view it in "Full Screen" mode) by simply clicking on either cover [[Peggy March is the other artist featured on the cover). We're in the process of updating our archive and getting ready for a very soulful lineup in the coming months. -- David @ Daeida

3453

Martha looks so fresh and young. What a beautiful photo.

[randy_russi]

Thanks, David! And, yes, that is a beautiful cover photo of my dear Martha.

[stopinthenameoflove]

Oh my! That's as airbrushed as the cover of Martha's biography!


Martha looks great. She's one of my favorite ladies. I'll check it out.

Thanks David!

[Roberta75]

Oh my! That's as airbrushed as the cover of Martha's biography!

Is it airbrushed? Martha just looks rested and fresh to me.

[jillfoster]

It is airbrushed... but not a huge amount. Martha's not all pruny or anything, so they don't have to do much. It's a GREAT picture, and i'm glad to see her on a cover where she belongs!

[stopinthenameoflove]

Really Roberta75? airbrushed within an inch of it not being Martha. And in reality Martha looks great

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Martha+Reeves+Glenfiddich+Mojo+Honours+List+MPIBOM mlIPNl.jpg


Is it airbrushed? Martha just looks rested and fresh to me.

[Roberta75]

Really Roberta75? airbrushed within an inch of it not being Martha. And in reality Martha looks great
[URL="http:www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Martha+Reeves+Glenfiddich+Mojo+Honours+List+MPIBOM mlIPNl.jpg"[/URL]

Sorry stopinthenameoflove but I can't open the link.

[stopinthenameoflove]

I tried posting direct - didn't quite happen, even after many tries!


Really Roberta75? airbrushed within an inch of it not being Martha. And in reality Martha looks great

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Martha+Reeves+Glenfiddich+Mojo+Honours+List+MPIBOM mlIPNl.jpg

[stopinthenameoflove]

I tried posting direct - didn't quite happen, even after many tries!

try now - I think i managed to work out links if not direct posts!

[Roberta75]

I tried posting direct - didn't quite happen, even after many tries!

Thank you stopinthenameoflove. I just opened it. Wow I guess that photo that David Ybarra posted really is retouched. Oh my goodness.

[stopinthenameoflove]

I worked it out in the end hehe! but my point is that Martha is a woman of a certain age - and in my humble opinion looks better just as she is


Thank you stopinthenameoflove. I just opened it. Wow I guess that photo that David Ybarra posted really is retouched. Oh my goodness.

[carlo]

Martha always looks great.

Thanks for sharing! I really like her big gold ring! :D

[kenneth]

Well the Zombio photo is a little stark thanks to what looks like bad lighting our being taken in the outdoors...I'm no expert at these things so not sure.

Unusual for me to be obviously snarky, but frankly, I'm a little tired of the Botox Forehead-Mouth Pull-Tweaked Eyes look. All these women start to look more like each other than themselves. If you want to see what I mean, link to this overview of the mag's back issues:

http://www.daeida.com/XBack_Issues.html

Aside from the obvious differences of race-hair color and such, don't all these ladies kind of look the same? I mean, who would have ever thought Pet Clark would look like Dionne Warwick but with blonde hair? The blank [[botoxed) forehead, the tight eyelids that totally become like a puppet's and the pulled [[Joker-esque) mouths tend to give them a "frozen face," in my opinion.

The only two who look like themselves here are Phyllis Diller [[natch) and Crystal Gayle.

Also, who is in the middle of the top row? She looks familiar but I can't figure it out...another case of too much surgery I think.

[carlo]

I don't think Dionne has had any work done. It's just the airbrushing done to the photo featured on the magazine cover that made her look that way.

Again, I think Martha looks great. She is a natural superstar!

[drlorne]

Thanks for the magazine. The articles are great and indepth. Thanks for sensitively portraying the artists in their photos.

Lorne

[luke]

Is there still a fee to read these articles?

[loveblind]

Anybody over 45+ needs to be airbrushed. A great invention!

[stephanie]

Good story there is no fee to read it!
Stephanie

[Roberta75]

Good story there is no fee to read it!
Stephanie

The photo on page 16-17 is priceless. Was Martha trying to copy the Diana Ross 1976 album cover?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yt3M33fzOLA/SMi8z3FJqmI/AAAAAAAAG_8/08e_wlYaxTk/s1600-h/dianarossdianaross.jpg

[jillfoster]

I tried posting direct - didn't quite happen, even after many tries!
Yes, and that picture has bad lighting angle and WAY WAY too much contrast. She looks better than that in person.

[jillfoster]

Well the Zombio photo is a little stark thanks to what looks like bad lighting our being taken in the outdoors...I'm no expert at these things so not sure.

Unusual for me to be obviously snarky, but frankly, I'm a little tired of the Botox Forehead-Mouth Pull-Tweaked Eyes look. All these women start to look more like each other than themselves. If you want to see what I mean, link to this overview of the mag's back issues:

http://www.daeida.com/XBack_Issues.html

Aside from the obvious differences of race-hair color and such, don't all these ladies kind of look the same? I mean, who would have ever thought Pet Clark would look like Dionne Warwick but with blonde hair? The blank [[botoxed) forehead, the tight eyelids that totally become like a puppet's and the pulled [[Joker-esque) mouths tend to give them a "frozen face," in my opinion.

The only two who look like themselves here are Phyllis Diller [[natch) and Crystal Gayle.

Also, who is in the middle of the top row? She looks familiar but I can't figure it out...another case of too much surgery I think.

Oh, I don't know... I think Cleo Laine looks like herself. Now as far as Crystal Gayle... she's one of the youngest ones there, I think she's only 56 or something like that. Petula Clark has been retouched ALOT, but she is really old, she's almost 80. And top center... your'e right, she DOESN'T look like herself. It's CONNIE FRANCIS. I had to search, and look to find who it was. the fact that we BOTH couldn't recognize her on sight is NOT a good thing.

[Roberta75]

Oh, I don't know... I think Cleo Laine looks like herself. Now as far as Crystal Gayle... she's one of the youngest ones there, I think she's only 56 or something like that. Petula Clark has been retouched ALOT, but she is really old, she's almost 80. And top center... your'e right, she DOESN'T look like herself. It's CONNIE FRANCIS. I had to search, and look to find who it was. the fact that we BOTH couldn't recognize her on sight is NOT a good thing.

My goodness Connie Francis, who is 73, looks 30 in that photo. Charlotte Ray looks really good as does Cleo Laine. You are right jillfoster, Petula is almost 79 years young.

May God bless them all.

Roberta.

[robbert]

In short, besides the content of the interview which I will attend to later on, Martha doesn't do herself a favor to have her portraits THAT heavily photo shopped. Gee! She should have protested when seeing the end results. Well, maybe she hadn't seen them. But this is really a bad case of photo shopping. They come better, anywhere.

Portraits of men or women over 50 without any wrinkle under the eyes... not for real.
I wish I could de-wrinkle myself in my real world, just a little bit. To feel 55 again, instead of 62... :D

[kenneth]

Oh, I don't know... I think Cleo Laine looks like herself. Now as far as Crystal Gayle... she's one of the youngest ones there, I think she's only 56 or something like that. Petula Clark has been retouched ALOT, but she is really old, she's almost 80. And top center... your'e right, she DOESN'T look like herself. It's CONNIE FRANCIS. I had to search, and look to find who it was. the fact that we BOTH couldn't recognize her on sight is NOT a good thing.

Wow, Jillfoster! Thanks for figuring that one out. I knew she looked familiar!

I think Petula looks great but I still think it's over-Botoxed.

[tamla617]

david ybarra
welcome to sdf! thanks for the link.

kenneth
v.funny post

that picture has been photo shopped within an inch of its life the only original pixel left is the white spot on ONE eye,the other isnt because they're not symetrical.the highlights on eyes are always the same distance from the center.................... unless 1.she's boss eyed and 2.the pictures modified3.picasso painted it.

[luke]

Oh come on Martha's pic looks like a mannequin!

[Bell Star]

I have been viewing this site for a little while now and just created my user ID so I could make a comment for what ever it's worth to anyone here as my first post. I read this article and could not be more thrilled with it. I am a big fan of Martha. She was so much a part of my youth and I just loved reading this and thinking how fun it was. I felt the intro to this was so impressive, the writing style is was beautiful and really did her justice. Many thanks for such a great piece on one of my favorite people from the fun carefree years of my youth!

[marv2]

The photo on page 16-17 is priceless. Was Martha trying to copy the Diana Ross 1976 album cover?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yt3M33fzOLA/SMi8z3FJqmI/AAAAAAAAG_8/08e_wlYaxTk/s1600-h/dianarossdianaross.jpg


There you go....bringing up Diana Ross again!!!! Yikes!

[luke]

Lolololol. Had to add a couple to be able to post.

[luke]

I dont know why Martha feels it is so necessary to be dismissive of them as a group and keep stressing shes THE ONE. We get it Martha!! [[But all of the vocals on Heat Wave made it sensational).

[RossHolloway]

Well I just read the article, and I also thought it was strange that she made such a point to say that she wasn't in a "group" the way the Supremes, Marvelettes or the Temptations were a group. I fail to see the distinction. Other than that, a nice interview, but noting earthshattering. I am interested to know what all she left out of her auto-biography that she didn't include initially to spare any hurt feelings or because now people have passed or relatoinships have ended. What does that mean, what didn't she tell the first time around?

I think its a nice cover photo, regardless of how much make up or airbrushing. Hard to believe that she's 70!

[loveblind]

The Marvelettes, Temptationa and Surpremes all had multiple lead singers. Martha was always sole lead/ There are many recordings labeled "Martha & The Vandellas" that have no vandellas on them at all.

Ross, when her book was in its "creative stages" She read a lot of it to me in person and over the phone. There was info she had and information that I also personally gave to her that she wanted to include, but Mark Bego talked her out of it. That book was so white washed. Bego even changed Martha's style of talking by putting in phrases like "That was just swell" ...so unlike the Martha Reeves I know. Martha earlier manuscript was more raw. There is even more to Martha and Gordy's relationship that wasn't in that book....so. Bego was afraid to really get down with Martha's story.

[motony]

Very true Loveblind! The group per Mr. Gordy, was gonna be Martha & the whoevers. This is not to belittle Roz or Annette, thats just the way it was.Mickey Stevenson saw Martha perform SOLO at the 20 Grand thus her invite to the company.She brought the other ladies in to have a group back Marvin Gaye.The company was impressed with Marthas voice.When the Rythmn & Blues Foundation wanted to honor Martha in the late 80' or early 90's it was SHE that insisted they also honor ALL her Vandellas & she shared the monetary reward...Marth has strong character.Roz & Annette & later Betty & Lois all can sing & had a distictive sound.Motown belittled all the groups by working them so hard on the road & then using the Andantes & others on later records...in the end I think that hurt the Motown Sound.

[BobC]

The original version of Mary Wilson's first book was also "more street" than what eventually got released--it happens all the time when professional writers co-author. Have you all read "Call Her Miss Ross" vs. "Diana Ross, a Biography?" Good lord--talk about white washed. I much prefer the warts and all bios.

[marv2]

Very true Loveblind! The group per Mr. Gordy, was gonna be Martha & the whoevers. This is not to belittle Roz or Annette, thats just the way it was.Mickey Stevenson saw Martha perform SOLO at the 20 Grand thus her invite to the company.She brought the other ladies in to have a group back Marvin Gaye.The company was impressed with Marthas voice.When the Rythmn & Blues Foundation wanted to honor Martha in the late 80' or early 90's it was SHE that insisted they also honor ALL her Vandellas & she shared the monetary reward...Marth has strong character.Roz & Annette & later Betty & Lois all can sing & had a distictive sound.Motown belittled all the groups by working them so hard on the road & then using the Andantes & others on later records...in the end I think that hurt the Motown Sound.

They were all also included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and concert.

[loveblind]

Yes Motony
Motown became a big contest with winners and looser, but thanks to the fans and cyber space a lot has changed. The fans have protested in many ways, that's why people like Martha, Mary Wells, Mary Wilson, the Vandellas, Flo Ballard, Jean Terrell.ect are now mentioned in a lot of the Motown tributes. The fans want the whole thing not just the four or five acts Motown always seems to include or mention. They want to hear more from the Marvelettes and the Velvelettes and so many more and through the internet we have a voice that's keeping these people's legacy alive.

[RossHolloway]

Back to the whole "I wasn't in a group" thing. It just sounds crazy and she should stop saying it because it makes her sound crazy. So while Martha may have been a solo artist when she first came to Motown, at no point did she record, perform or was every billed as a solo artist from 1962-72..regardless of how many people sang on lead in a group, that is not the definition of a group. I have never heard Smokey Robinson or Cal Gill make that distinction, yet I don't think they traded leads on any released singles or recordings for that sake [[yes, I know there are a handfull by the Miracles). I also don't recall Levi Stubbs ever making that distinction either. Does she make the distinction to let concert promoters know not to expect her to perform with the Vandellas? Has she had problems booking gigs without being billed as Marth & The Vandellas? Has she had a difficult time establishing herself as a solo artist since 1972? There is definitely more to her reasoning than the reason she has given.

[kenneth]

Back to the whole "I wasn't in a group" thing. It just sounds crazy and she should stop saying it because it makes her sound crazy. So while Martha may have been a solo artist when she first came to Motown, at no point did she record, perform or was every billed as a solo artist from 1962-72..regardless of how many people sang on lead in a group, that is not the definition of a group. I have never heard Smokey Robinson or Cal Gill make that distinction, yet I don't think they traded leads on any released singles or recordings for that sake [[yes, I know there are a handfull by the Miracles). I also don't recall Levi Stubbs ever making that distinction either. Does she make the distinction to let concert promoters know not to expect her to perform with the Vandellas? Has she had problems booking gigs without being billed as Marth & The Vandellas? Has she had a difficult time establishing herself as a solo artist since 1972? There is definitely more to her reasoning than the reason she has given.

In her book, she states that she was the one who employed the Vandellas, which surprised me when I read it. Having known how Motown dealt with its other groups, such as the Marvelettes, this seems extraordinary. But perhaps Martha was actually signed as a solo performer [[not too unusual, many were such as Dennis Edwards and Jean Terrell but ended up in groups anyway) and then M&V was put together. Still, if it walks like a duck, it probably is a duck, and how could she act like anyone knew her primarily as a solo?

It's a good article, if perhaps a little too fawning over her. Her stint as Detroit City Councilwoman ended amid charges of corruption and graft, not that unusual in Detroit city politics but still disgraceful for someone of her stature. After that I believe she declared Bankruptcy. But obviously this is a fanzine, not a "hard news" story of any kind, and I'm happy she is getting some online press.

My favorite joke ever from the TV show "Golden Girls" was something along the lines of Bea Arthur saying to Rue McClanahan [[I think it was her), "That car of yours is the noisiest thing to come out of Detroit since Martha and the Vandellas!"

[carlo]

Great interview! Just finished reading it.

I like the final question that was asked. What kind of advice would Martha give to her younger self? This is a question that is posed to many celebrities and they always give the same sort of answer, "Relax and enjoy the ride". Interesting. Definitely good advice.

[carlo]

I also appreciated her insight on profanity in today's music. She is right.

[brother_love]

They all look like wax figures at Madame Tussauds.

[Roberta75]

I also appreciated her insight on profanity in today's music. She is right.

Oh I am with you Carlo. I don't understand the need for vile cuss words or violent rhetoric in today's music.

[theboyfromxtown]

anybody over 45+ needs to be airbrushed. A great invention!

hahahahahahaha.

[theboyfromxtown]

My favorite joke ever from the TV show "Golden Girls" was something along the lines of Bea Arthur saying to Rue McClanahan [[I think it was her), "That car of yours is the noisiest thing to come out of Detroit since Martha and the Vandellas!"

LOLOL They don't make TV shows like that any more. Shame!

[motown_david]

Was it a group or Martha solo is a question that has been posed over the years and has been answered several times. Roz and Annette signed directly to Motown and were never employed by Martha at that time. Their only boss was Berry Gordy. Roz and Annette still have their original contracts that prove this. In the 80s, long after the hit and Motown years, when they got back together for a while it was a different story. Martha did employ them and her sisters.

[RossHolloway]

Ok, is it just me or has no one else ever found it strange that Martha Reeves found out that Motown Detroit was closing and moving to California by a secretary? Was Martha that far out of the loop in '72 that she never got wind of the fact that the company was closing down camp and moving West? Was she just recording as a solo artist at this point and the Vandellas wern't around? Was she not close with any of the other artists or song writers or musicians or producers? I remember first reading about it in her autobiography years ago and found it truly bizarre.

[motony]

the Funk Bros showed up & the sign said CLOSED. Bizarre yes.

[luke]

I do believe Roz and Annette have a different version of how the group was formed-that it wasnt all Martha. I will try to find it--I think it was in Touch of Classic Soul. Martha cant rewrite history. It was Martha AND THE VANDELLAS.

[marv2]

I do believe Roz and Annette have a different version of how the group was formed-that it wasnt all Martha. I will try to find it--I think it was in Touch of Classic Soul. Martha cant rewrite history. It was Martha AND THE VANDELLAS.

Roz is on my buddy list, I will try ask her sometime. However, without going and researching at this moment. It is my understanding that the group formed with Roz, Annette, Gloria Williamson as the lead and a couple of other girls. Martha came into the group later. I am not sure right now if they were using the name the "Del -Phi's" at that point.

[marv2]

Ok this here pretty much explains the formation of "The Vandellas" and how Martha Reeves was brought into the group. Explained by Rosalind Ashford. Annette Helton is interviewed as well. Check it out:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUIOqCDadqg

[RossHolloway]

Great clip. Thanks for posting. I was hoping for a close up of the ladies. Does anyone know what happened to Gloria? Why did she leave the group? And when exactly did she leave?

[reese]

Great clip. Thanks for posting. I was hoping for a close up of the ladies. Does anyone know what happened to Gloria? Why did she leave the group? And when exactly did she leave?

I think Gloria left around the time the group signed with Motown. She had two small children, and didn't really want to deal with show business. Plus she had just landed a job with the city of Detroit. I believe she passed away while back.

[marv2]

Great clip. Thanks for posting. I was hoping for a close up of the ladies. Does anyone know what happened to Gloria? Why did she leave the group? And when exactly did she leave?

I don't why she left the group but she died about 2 years ago.