“I can out-dance Bowie and Jagger!” Martha Reeves at Motown, dancing in the street and smashing crockery with Dusty Springfield | Martha and the Vandellas

You have been part of the richest and most exciting era of music since the German and Italian classics of the 19th century. What was it like for you and what made it all tick? com.eamonmcc
I was discovered by William Stephenson after I won an amateur competition. It was a dream come true to have a producer come up to me and say, “You have talent, come to Hitsville, USA.” I took his advice and showed up the next day unannounced and was immediately appointed to the position of secretary [at Motown Records]. I felt relieved that I was in the right place at the right time. It was magical for me and it was all just a glorious journey.

Motown’s production line is sometimes compared to Detroit’s automobile production line. Is there anything to it, do you think? mesm
Motown and Ford are synonymous. My father worked for Ford and… [Motown founder] Berry Gordy worked there as an employee. He taught Berry Gordy how to act, how to manage, and how to give people assignments. He called it Motown or Motortown. So, it all comes together: the Motor City, Detroit, manufacturing, the music industry as an assembly line.

Who do you think was the best Motown recording artist? 1Love1Heart
[Batting away the question] When you have a house full of gifted children, don’t do that! To me, everyone had a supernatural talent. I first met Stevie Wonder when he was nine years old, leading an adult choir in a Pentecostal church: That Takes a Genius.

There must be three or four different versions of how you sing Dancing in the street. What really happened? Reorder
I was standing outside the studio window in awe of Marvin Gaye because he was so good. He saw me looking at him through the window and said, “I want you to sing this song.” I sang it in the same key as he sang it. He played keyboard and drums. He had a melodica that he played like a trumpet. He was extremely talented and could play anything he put his hands on. You can find out on “Dancing in the Street”: that piano solo is Marvin’s.

About half the time Marvin walked with his eyes closed, humming and writing. I remember having breakfast with him, and he was sitting at that table at about eight o’clock in the morning, reading the Bible and looking for words to rhyme in the songs he was writing. He was always writing. It wasn’t hereIf I can say so: he always seemed to be in a trance writing songs.

It was great that dancing in the street became an anthem during the Civil Rights Movement because it extinguished the excitement and opportunity for rioting. People stop thinking this way. They started to rejoice and dance instead of smashing windows and burning buildings.

What was it like working with the songwriting trio of Brian, Eddie Holland, and Lamont Dozier in those days? They must have been doing something elseStop. Barilka
Holland Dozier Holland was a thoughtful writer. They had the goods. They made the Four Peaks happy, they made the Chiefs happy, and they were my pride and joy. They always had spiritual intent. The heatwave meant a lot to me, it meant more than just the weather or temperature. When I sang it to Eddie Holland I completely imitated him. I made him happier than anyone else I’ve ever recorded with. So, from then on, any song they gave us, I could nail it.

Your offers on Heat wave and Jimmy Mac These are some of my favorite things from Motown artists – so many emotions, from euphoria to disappointment. What were you directing in each of those shows? Steve__bayley
When I first started singing when I was four years old at my grandfather’s church, my mother said, “Baby, don’t sing a song unless you know what you’re singing, and you feel something.” Every time someone gave me a song: Can I relate to these lyrics? Have you been there before? I was in my room alone. I asked people to come and take these memories. I danced in the street, so, yeah, I put myself in the songs, just because my mom told me to.

Please tell us about your friendship with Dusty Springfield. Reykjavik_Calling
We met each other at Brooklyn Fox in New York [in the early 1960s]. She was lonely because her boss left her and she was having seizures. She went to a local store and bought some crockery, some plates and plates and cups, and then she came back to the dressing room at the Apollo Theater and was throwing them against the wall. She explained to me that in England, when you feel confused or disappointed or when you don’t get what you expected, you can release your anxiety and anger by throwing pottery. She picked something up and started throwing things with her. I said: Hey, this sounds fun! Since then, we’ve been friends. We traveled to Brazil together. We spent a lot of time in London. We had a very good, close relationship and I miss her very much.

What are your memories of touring? Jim Crow South with Motown Review 1962? MissIdahoPotato
I remember we learned how to pee without it sticking to our shoes because there were signs saying “whites only” or “no blacks allowed” or something. We would go somewhere between bushes or some cornstalks. But we saw the signs coming down. We saw people change their minds about apartheid and we helped them with our music.

For me, “dancing in the street” is what summer sounds like, and it’s impossible to hear those open bars without feeling the warmth of the sunlight on my skin, wherever I am. What song has the same effect on you? NoelCWilson
Every song I was involved in was like love to me. I don’t really get over myself. I have a Bible repertoire that I listen to for strength and encouragement. If you ask me about an artist, I listen.

I first discovered you and the Vandellas’ music through Heatwave jam cover. Are there any covers of your favorite songs in particular? Sally
No, I don’t really want anyone else singing my songs. I’m selfish. They may not handle the heat wave well. I was jealous [when she heard Bowie and Jagger’s version of Dancing in the Street]. I had a tropical dress that I could wear and shoot a video with them. I can out-dance both of them, and to see Mick Jagger and David Bowie dancing, baby, I wanted to be in that video. I told Mick Jagger when he came to Detroit, and he smiled and gave me a big kiss.

I got involved in local politics [Reeves was a Detroit city councillor between 2005 and 2009]. What was the inspiration? CFMBanks
I had real estate in Detroit and wanted to know what to do with it: why the property tax was so high, and how I could benefit from the property I purchased. You did a great job. I didn’t go to prison! I had a few of my own little rules that I introduced. I even introduced America to vertigo. We have several roundabouts here in Michigan now.

Do you have a favorite performance that you’re particularly proud of? Revolution98
At my grandfather’s church – I was about 11 years old when I was given the privilege of teaching Sunday School. Singing songs and teaching people to sing. This is my song.