Motown legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Martha Reeves received the 2,776th Hollywood Walk of Fame star located near La Brea and Hollywood Blvd March 27th.
The ceremony included speeches from the President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Steve Nissen, founder of Motown Berry Gordy, Motown’s first artist Smokey Robinson, Motown’s original A&R man William “Mickey” Stevenson, and a surprise appearance from none other than Stevie Wonder. In attendance were Motown songwriter Janie Bradford, “Band of Gold” singer Freda and her sister Scherrie (Supremes) Payne, the Miracles’ Claudette Robinson, and comedian/ventriloquist Willie Tyler and Lester.
The emcee was Variety’s senior entertainment reporter Angelique Jackson. Reeves and her group the Vandellas had hits like “Dancing in the Street,” “Jimmy Mack,” “Heat Wave,” and “Nowhere to Run.” The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. “Dancing In the Street” which was covered by The Grateful Dead, Van Halen, and Mick Jagger and David Bowie was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. In 1998 Reeves and the Vandellas performed at the Super Bowl halftime show as part of a tribute to Motown for its 40th anniversary along with the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, and Boyz II Men. Reeves would also perform at Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration.
That evening Reeves appeared at the Grammy Museum for an “In conversation with” event.
