“Motown was about music for all people – white and black, blue and green, cops and the robbers. I was reluctant to have our music alienate anyone.” – Berry Gordy, Motown Founder
🚗 🚙 🚗
Welcome back to In The Groove: Motown Melodies!
It’s the last Tuesday of September – time to conclude our musical journey in the Motor City. I’ve chosen to start today’s segment with a 1963 high octane hit by another incredible girl group that you’re all sure to know.
Is it my imagination or is it getting hot in here?
“Heat Wave” was written by the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland and was first made popular by the group “Martha and the Vandellas”. Released as a single on the Motown subsidiary Gordy label, this song garnered a Grammy Award nomination, the first Motown group to ever do so.
Founded in 1957 by friends Annette Beard, Rosaline Ashford and Gloria Williams, the group eventually included Martha Reeves who moved up in ranks as lead vocalist after Williams’ departure in ’61. During their nine-year run from 1963-1972, “Martha and the Vandellas” charted over 26 hits recorded in the styles of doo-wop, R&B, pop, blues, rock and roll and soul. In 1995 the group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“Heat Wave” was one of the first songs to exemplify the style of music later termed as the “Motown Sound”. Here are Martha and the Vandellas performing their 1963 hit, “Heat Wave”.
What a great song by a terrific group – the epitome of that legendary “Motown Sound” that still sounds fresh and new today.
I have a few more dimes left for the jukebox; let’s punch up a couple more hits by “the girls”.
Wow! What a great bunch of songs! I’ve been loving listening to the Motown girl groups; how about you? Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts about these great Motown hits.
Another month is in the books, kids. Thanks for movin’ and groovin’ with me to the greatest sounds to come out of the Motor City! 🚗
Be sure to join me here next Tuesday as we dive into a brand new category for October. What will it be? All I can say is you don’t wanna miss it. We’re flying to England where we’ll be kicking it up and raising some hell!
See you on the flip side.
I’m The Sicilian Storyteller
NAR © 2023
The Elephant's Trunk 
As I played those fabulous tracks I suddenly saw myself dancing back in the day, and it was not a pretty sight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha!! As the psychologists like to say, “We are each our own worst critic”.
I bet you had some smooth moves, Keith! 🕺🏻
LikeLike
I always felt like Martha and the Vandellas stood out. In no way am I downplaying the Supremes, but Martha’s stuff just really punched through the speakers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep! I agree with you, Keith. There’s no denying the talent behind the Supremes but for my money, I’d go with Martha and the Vandellas any day! A terrific group!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They were just the whole package, weren’t they? Not just the singing, but the dresses, the shoes, the hair, the moves. That was when music had class.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh boy, John. You really said a mouthful. You are so right and hit the proverbial nail on the head!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this music! Always makes me feel like dancing.
I was thinking about juke boxes the other day. When I was in high school, it was so much fun to put the quarters in the little boxes that were right on the tables, and make our own choices. There are not many of those left, but I suspect everyone is sitting around now with their little earbuds all listening to different tunes!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad this music brought back great memories for you, D! That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it … having fun and reflecting on the good old days!
I certainly do remember jukeboxes, mini ones at every table in the diner; 25¢ would get you three songs … not a bad deal. The diner in our town still has a few; the old pool parlor which is an almost forgotten feature in the back room of Sam’s Steak House, has a big one in the corner. Every now and then when we’re there we can hear music just like Martha and the Vandellas drifting from the back room.
Great comment, D! 🎶
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lindy’s Diner and The Crystal Restaurant both had the table juke boxes (Lindy’s is still there and still has them!), and after school we’d bring our quarters and order cherry cokes and a platter of French fries to share while listening to the tunes. Sometimes it was the only way to figure out the lyrics, playing the song over and over…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Man, I would love having a jukebox!
LikeLiked by 3 people
How cool would that be??
Send a letter to Santa!! 🎅🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah she’s got a really strong voice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure does, Pete! Rings through loud and clear. Surprising the group had such a short run.
Have a good afternoon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Attention to detail, passion, care, experience… mix’em, shake’em… this is what you get… Brava, Nancy!
A time travel capsule these Motown melodies were. Groovin’ & movin’? Damn straight!
Coming October are we going to have our own Hellfest?! Hell yeah!!🤘🔥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for all those wonderful comments, Nick! You’re among a handful of people who know me well; you know how much I love music and writing for The Rhythm Section but you’re also aware of how much work goes into these posts. I don’t believe in using cookie cutters, not if I want my very personal feelings for each post to shine through. It takes a little longer but it makes a big difference, I think.
Oh, hell yeah!! I just finished working on October last night and my fingers are still burning! 🤣 It’s gonna be one hell of an Hellfest! I know you’re gonna love it! 🤘🏼 🔥
I got blisters on my fingers!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You knocked that one outta the ballpark. What a wonderful selection for the last Motown Melody. Really enjoyed the songs this month, and looking forward to what’s to come.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Deb! This segment was a lot of fun with tons of memories. It’s amazing how these songs have withstood the test of time and sound as great today as they did more than 60 years ago!
The late great Marvin Gaye with a voice like warm honey. Excellent audio this morning!
LikeLike