Editing Martha and the Vandellas (section)

===Early years (1957–1962)===
Teenagers [[Rosalind Ashford]] and [[Annette Beard]] first became acquainted after a local music manager hired them to be members of a girl group he named the Del-Phis. Ashford, Beard, and lead vocalist [[Gloria Williams]], performed at local clubs, private events, church benefits, YMCA events and school functions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jreedent.com/The_Original_Vandellas.html|date=September 28, 2015|title=The Original Vandellas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928135406/http://www.jreedent.com/The_Original_Vandellas.html |archive-date=September 28, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=GroupBio>{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/articles/Martha-and-the-Vandellas-507658|title=Martha and the Vandellas Biography|publisher=Britannica.com|access-date=December 16, 2010}}</ref><ref name=Soul>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesoulguy.com/marthareeves.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510074116/http://www.thesoulguy.com/marthareeves.htm|archive-date=May 10, 2008|title=Martha Reeves|publisher=TheSoulGuy.com|access-date=December 16, 2010}}</ref> They were also being coached by [[Maxine Powell]] at Detroit's Ferris Center. One of the group's first professional engagements was singing background for singer Mike Hanks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/mreeves.htm|title=Martha|website=Soulfulkindamusic.net}}</ref>

The group originally had up to six members, subsequently reduced to four. When one of the four left the group, she was replaced by [[Alabama]]-born vocalist [[Martha Reeves]], a former member of two groups, the Fascinations and the Sabre-Ettes. In 1960, the group signed their first recording contract with [[Checker Records]], releasing the Reeves-led "I'll Let You Know". The Del-Phis then went to Checkmate Records, a subsidiary of [[Chess Records]], recording the song "There He Is (At My Door)" featuring Williams on lead vocals.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}} The songs failed to make much of an impact.

Reeves reverted to a solo artist under the name Martha LaVaille. After [[Motown Records]] staffer [[William Stevenson (songwriter)|Mickey Stevenson]] saw Reeves singing at a Detroit club, he offered her an audition.<ref name=Rock>{{cite web|url=http://www.history-of-rock.com/vandellas.htm|title=Martha and the Vandellas|publisher=HistoryofRock.com|access-date=December 16, 2010}}</ref> Reeves showed up at Motown's Hitsville USA studios on a Tuesday rather than a Thursday, Motown's usual audition day. Stevenson assigned her as his secretary eventually responsible for handling Motown's auditions.<ref name=Martha>{{cite web|url=http://www.generalentertainment.com/artists/MarthaReeves.htm|title=Martha Reeves|publisher=General Entertainment.com|access-date=December 16, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224203729/http://www.generalentertainment.com/artists/MarthaReeves.htm|archive-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref> By 1961, the group, now known as The Vels, were recording background vocals for Motown acts. Prior to her success as lead singer of [[The Elgins]], Saundra Edwards (then going by her surname Mallett) recorded the song "Camel Walk", in 1962, which featured the Vels in background vocals. That year, the quartet began applying background vocals for emerging Motown star [[Marvin Gaye]], singing on Gaye's first hit single, "[[Stubborn Kind of Fellow]]"<ref name="Martha and the Vandellas">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H84DAAAAMBAJ&q=martha+reeves&pg=PA83|title=Martha and the Vandellas|date=February 1968|publisher=Ebony|access-date=December 16, 2010}}</ref> After [[Mary Wells]] failed to make a scheduled recording session due to a short illness, the Vels recorded what was initially a demo recording of "[[I'll Have to Let Him Go]]". Motown was so impressed by the group's abilities, and Martha's lead vocals, that the label CEO [[Berry Gordy]] offered the group a recording contract. Figuring that being in show business was too rigorous, Williams left the group. With Williams out, the remaining trio of Ashford, Beard and Reeves were told by Gordy that they would need a new name. After failing to come up with a name on their own, Gordy gave the group the name The Vandellas. As stated in an interview with The History Makers, Ashford emphatically states that contrary to popular belief, The Vandellas were not named after Della Reese and Van Dyke Avenue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/rosalind-ashford-holmes |title=Rosalind Ashford Holmes's Biography |website=Thehistorymakers.org |access-date=April 20, 2020}}</ref>