Martha and the Vandellas

USA, 1957–1972

Motown group led by Martha Reeves, recording Holland-Dozier-Holland material with a harder rhythmic emphasis than the label's other groups on 'Dancing in the Street' and 'Heat Wave'.

MusicRoots documents 1 artist who influenced Martha and the Vandellas and 3 artists Martha and the Vandellas influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Martha and the Vandellas?

• The Shirelles — The Shirelles' pioneering girl-group sound was the tradition Martha and the Vandellas carried into a harder-driving Motown R&B.

Which artists did Martha and the Vandellas influence?

• The Lovin' Spoonful — John Sebastian wrote 'Do You Believe in Magic' by speeding up the chords of Martha and the Vandellas' 'Heat Wave' — Motown was in the Spoonful's good-time pop.
• Laura Nyro — Motown girl groups — Martha and the Vandellas among them — shaped Nyro's melodic, rhythmic pop.
• Jet — The band named 'I'm Ready for Love' as a source of 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl' — Motown, not Iggy Pop, as often assumed.