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Co-founded by Detroit-born vocalist <a href="spotify:artist:3Hut5CO4gDNYQfG63a7Wl4">Martha Reeves</a>, the Del-Phis evolved into <a href="spotify:artist:3Hut5CO4gDNYQfG63a7Wl4">Reeves</a>' hit-making group <a href="spotify:artist:1Pe5hlKMCTULjosqZ6KanP">Martha & the Vandellas</a>. While their only single, "My Baby Won't Come Back," released in 1961 on the Chess subsidiary Chess-Mate, was a commercial failure, the Del-Phis went on to sing background on <a href="spotify:artist:3koiLjNrgRTNbOwViDipeA">Marvin Gaye</a>'s 1962 "Stubborn Kind of Fellow." Their second single, "You'll Never Cherish a Love So True ('Til You Lose It)," credited to the Vels, fared no better than its predecessor.
The Del-Phis' involvement with Motown began when <a href="spotify:artist:3Hut5CO4gDNYQfG63a7Wl4">Reeves</a> won a talent contest as a solo performer in late 1961. The prize included a three-night stint at a local nightclub, Twenty Grand, during which <a href="spotify:artist:3Hut5CO4gDNYQfG63a7Wl4">Reeves</a> was heard by Motown A&R man <a href="spotify:artist:0szXBmaZC3KFJdoZ9nW1c0">William "Mickey" Stevenson</a>. Although she began her association with the <a href="spotify:artist:4xRLKAf96K6YdGDWjY6ra8">Berry Gordy</a>-owned label as a secretary, she soon was singing with the Del-Phis on Motown recordings.
Changing the group's name to <a href="spotify:artist:1Pe5hlKMCTULjosqZ6KanP">Martha & the Vandellas</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3Hut5CO4gDNYQfG63a7Wl4">Reeves</a> continued to work with ex-Del-Phis members Annette Sterling Beard (until 1965) and Rosalind Ashford (until 1968). After leaving the band, Ashford went on to work with Ameritech until her retirement. Beard worked as a phlebomotist at St. John's Hospital in Detroit. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi
The Del-Phis' involvement with Motown began when <a href="spotify:artist:3Hut5CO4gDNYQfG63a7Wl4">Reeves</a> won a talent contest as a solo performer in late 1961. The prize included a three-night stint at a local nightclub, Twenty Grand, during which <a href="spotify:artist:3Hut5CO4gDNYQfG63a7Wl4">Reeves</a> was heard by Motown A&R man <a href="spotify:artist:0szXBmaZC3KFJdoZ9nW1c0">William "Mickey" Stevenson</a>. Although she began her association with the <a href="spotify:artist:4xRLKAf96K6YdGDWjY6ra8">Berry Gordy</a>-owned label as a secretary, she soon was singing with the Del-Phis on Motown recordings.
Changing the group's name to <a href="spotify:artist:1Pe5hlKMCTULjosqZ6KanP">Martha & the Vandellas</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3Hut5CO4gDNYQfG63a7Wl4">Reeves</a> continued to work with ex-Del-Phis members Annette Sterling Beard (until 1965) and Rosalind Ashford (until 1968). After leaving the band, Ashford went on to work with Ameritech until her retirement. Beard worked as a phlebomotist at St. John's Hospital in Detroit. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi
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