Singer, entertainer, actress, innovator, humanitarian, politician, friend … and Motown ICON! I’m talkin’ about the beautiful, inside and out, Martha Reeves of the Vandellas! Tomorrow, July 18, is Martha’s birthday and as I sit here reminiscing about my friend I started to go back and relive times I spent with Martha. Let me start by telling you a different side of the Motown Giant… her give back to community side. Martha was elected Council Woman of Detroit, Michigan from 2005 thru 2009 and received a doctorate in Humanities. I sit here looking at her picture she sent to me in her cap and gown. One of my favorite memories of performing with her took place at Three Rivers Stadium where we opened for her. My Band was the backing band for her show. After the show Martha asked me what was happening in the Burgh that night after the show. I told her that we are not like Detroit and not much was happening later at night. So, I invited her to my house to continue the party … she accepted, and we had a late-night cookout and yard party with Ribs and Wings. Martha was so accommodating to do photos with my daughter, son and their friends… the music and fun continued. Martha commented that my house looked like a typical musician’s house with memorabilia everywhere, a bar, jukebox and music even when one turned on the lights. Martha’s visit was like old friends getting together and sharing stories and experiences of the music business … needless to say we just finished a full concert at a major arena. Listening to Martha talk about the early days of Motown was like watching a movie about my favorite music. Martha told me about her being the receptionist for Motown before she became one of the biggest stars of Motown history. She told me stories about her first group the Del-Phis and then the Vels and then eventually the Vandellas. She talked about doing background vocals for Marvin Gaye and studio sessions at the legendary Motown House. Last week on my weekly radio show …”Johnny Angels Heavenly Soul Show on jukinoldies.com, internet radio” … I played several records of Martha’s in honor of her birthday this week. As I played my favorite Martha and the Vandellas record. …”Come And Get These Memories” … my mind went back in time to the first time I heard her sing that song on my AM radio that I bought with my paper route money! Martha Reeves is and will always be one of my favorite Motown memories!