A true Motown legend has died. Rosalind Ashford, the original singer of Martha and the Vandellas, has passed away at age 83.
Rosalind Ashford, one of the three original members of Martha and the Vandellas who sang on Motown classics such as “Dancing in the Street, and Heat Wave, has died at 83
A native of Detroit, Ashford died Tuesday of natural causes in Redford Township, a suburb of Detroit, per the Detroit Free Press.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Rosalind Ashford,” Reeves told the newspaper.
“Rosalind played an important part in the early days of Martha and the Vandellas. Her voice will forever be with us through our great recordings together, and she will be missed but never forgotten. Our Motown family has just gotten a little smaller. My heart is heavy.”
Born on September 2, 1943, Ashford was still a student at Wilbur Wright High School when she joined forces with Annette Beard and Gloria Williams to form a girl group called The Del-Phis. Reeves later joined the group, which also recorded as The Vels.
Rosalind Ashford, original ‘Martha and the Vandellas’ singer, dies at 83
Per the Hollywood Reporter, in 1962, the group sang backup for stars including Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells. Their performances caught the attention of Motown founder Berry Gordy, who offered them a record deal.
They became known as Martha and the Vandellas after Gloria Williams left the group, which then became a trio. It didn’t take long for the group to start making hits.
Their breakthrough in 1963, Come and Get These Memories, climbed to No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 on the R&B chart. The same year, they followed it with (Love Is Like a) Heat Wave, which became an even bigger hit, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also Grammy-nominated.
After that came Quicksand, which was the group’s third hit in a very short time.In the summer of 1964, Rosalind Ashford and her group earned a place in music history.
The song Dancing in the Street became a monster hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later, artists such as The Mamas & the Papas and Van Halen covered it.
Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Other hits included Nowhere to Run, I’m Ready for Love, and Jimmy Mack. IN 1969, however, Rosalind Ashford decided to leave the group. She continued to perform with several former Vandellas singers over the years while also working for the Michigan Bell Telephone Co.
The legendary singer appeared on nearly two dozen Top 40 hits on Billboard’s R&B chart and made history when she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 alongside the Vandellas. They became only the second all-female group to receive the honor.
Rosalind Ashford is survived by her son, Damon, and four grandchildren. After her death, former band member Martha Reeves shared a tribute to Ashford.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Rosalind Ashford,” Reeves said in a statement to the Detroit Free Press. “Rosalind played an important part in the early days of Martha and the Vandellas.”
Rest in peace, Rosalind Ashford. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones.
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