Martha Reeves is an American R&B and pop vocalist who was born on July 18, 1941. She is the main vocalist for the Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas, who have over a dozen hit singles to their credit, including “Dancing in the Street,” “Come and Get These Memories,” “Nowhere to Run,” “Heat Wave,” and “Jimmy Mack.” Reeves represented the city of Detroit, Michigan, as an elected councilwoman from 2005 to 2009. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in 1995.
Martha Reeves parents: Meet Ruby Lee Gilmore, Elijah Joshua Reeves
The first child of Elijah Joshua Reeves and Ruby Lee Gilmore Reeves, and the third of their 11 children, Martha Rose Reeves was born in Eufaula, Alabama. Her grandpa, Reverend Elijah Reeves, was a pastor at Detroit’s Metropolitan Church when the family relocated from Eufaula to Detroit when she was a baby. The family participated actively in the church choir. Ruby enjoyed singing, and Elijah enjoyed playing the guitar; their parents instilled a love of music in the kids.
