• 1962-1972

  Martha Reeves

  Annette Beard Sterling Helton1962-1964

  Rosalind Ashford Holmes1962-1970

  Betty Kelly1964-1967

  Sandra "Lois" Reeves1967-1972

  Sandra Tilley1970-1972
• The name "Vandella" was inspired by Van Dyke Street in Detroit and Martha Reeves' favorite singer - Della Reese.
• Before joining the Vandellas, Betty Kelly and Sandra Tilley were members (though not at the same time) of another girl group called the Velvelettes.
• Lois is Martha's younger sister.
• In 1967, Martha Reeves' last name was added to the group's name.
• Since the 1990s, Martha has performed concerts as a soloist or with the Vandellas. She has two units of Vandellas who take turns performing with her: the original members (Rosalind and Annette) and her two sisters Lois and Delphine. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for all above
• They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Andy - Arlington, VA

Comments

More Songfacts:

DilemmaNelly

Kelly Rowland was the first Destiny's Child member to have a hit away from the group: her Nelly duet "Dilemma."

Afternoon DelightStarland Vocal Band

The Starland Vocal Band got the title "Afternoon Delight" from the late-afternoon appetizer menu at the restaurant Clyde's Of Georgetown in Washington, DC.

Everything ZenBush

References to David Bowie, Tom Waits and Allan Ginsburg are peppered into the Bush song "Everything Zen."

Rum and Coca-ColaThe Andrews Sisters

The '40s hit "Rum and Coca-Cola" is really about American soldiers soliciting prostitutes in Trinidad.

Give Me Everything (Tonight)Pitbull

Pitbull's line "I got it locked up like Lindsay Lohan" in his 2011 song "Give Me Everything (Tonight)" didn't go over well with Lohan, who sued him for defamation. Around this time, she was in a downward spiral and often getting arrested. Her case was thrown out, but she did get her life back together.

FancyIggy Azalea

The video for Iggy Azalea's "Fancy" pays homage to the classic 1995 film Clueless with the rapper playing Cher and featured singer Charli XCX portraying Tai. It was filmed at some of the same locations used in the movie.

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.