MU158 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Martha Reeves, Florence Ballard, Stevie Wonder
Document Summary
Worked out of phil spector and brill building traditions. Extended girl group format to highest reaches of commercial success. First hit was where did our love go . Ballard who was considered most experienced singer asked to leave group after series of personal issues. Ross left group in 69 to focus on solo career. Hollan-dozier-holland became one of most successful writing and production teams in music. Former members of the del-phis who recorded for chess. Backup singers for marvin gaye bailed and vandellas stepped in. Impressed gordy and got first single as martha and the vandellas i"ll have to let him. First hit come and get these memories 1963. Martha"s soulful, full throated vocal style which paralleled southern soul and set stage for aretha franklin later in decade. Use of orchestral strings and other instruments drawn from classical music. By end of decade, gaye was also writing and producing for other artists.
