Lois Reeves | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Reeves in 2004 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sandra Delores Reeves |
| Born | (1948-04-12)April 12, 1948 (age 76)[1] Detroit,Michigan, U.S.[1] |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1967–present |
Sandra Delores Reeves (born April 12, 1948), better known asLois Reeves, is an American singer, most notable for being the younger sister ofMotown legendMartha Reeves, for having replaced popularMartha and the Vandellas memberBetty Kelly as member of her sister's group in 1967, and for later singing background for records byAl Green in the 1970s as a member of the backing groupQuiet Elegance. Lois' nickname was "Pee Wee" as she is only 5'1" tall.[2]
The daughter of Elijah Joshua Reeves and Ruby Lee Gilmore, Lois was part of a family of 11 children. Before her older sister, Martha, was a year old, the family moved fromEufaula, Alabama to Detroit. Both Elijah and Ruby enjoyed singing and playing the guitar, passing their love of music on to their children.[3][4][5] Elijah's father, Reverend Elijah Reeves, was a minister at Detroit's Metropolitan Church; the family was very active in the church and in its choir.[3][6]
Upon graduation from high school, Lois Reeves began to travel extensively with her older sister, Martha Reeves, and her musical group, the Vandellas. As she watched the shows from the wings almost nightly, she knew the music and routines perfectly. It all happened by surprise for the teenaged Lois. One night she was in the wings; the next night, barely 18 years of age, she was asked by her sister to replace Betty Kelly.[7][8] The group put Lois' business knowledge to work; she took care of the bookkeeping, hotel reservations, travel arrangements and also helped negotiate contracts.[2]
Though never under contract to Motown Records, she was under contract to Martha Reeves, and later found herself singing on the Vandellas' singles "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone" and "Honey Chile", the latter of which was when the group was known asMartha Reeves and the Vandellas. Lois was the youngest member of the Vandellas throughout its tenure and performed with the group in Japan, UK and Spain. She also performed with the group when they successfully opened at the renownedCopacabana nightclub in New York. Lois appeared with the group onThe Mike Douglas Show in 1968[9] andSoul Train in 1971.[10]
Lois and original Vandellas memberRosalind Ashford often had to share background work withThe Andantes behind Martha as Motown was limiting the sounds of background vocals. Since the Andantes played a pivotal role in the Motown sound, it's often confusing as to which members of the Vandellas sang on the recordings with Martha. It's confirmed, though, that Lois sang on Vandellas hits such as "I Should Be Proud" and "Bless You" and the entireBlack Magic album, the Vandellas' final album, released in 1972.
Lois Reeves heavily contributed to the group's choreography especially whenSandra Tilley joined the group in 1969. The two are considered by Martha to be the best dancers and most elegant of all the Vandellas.
At the end of the year, the group split up and Lois joined background singing groupQuiet Elegance, who played a role in singing background forAl Green's pivotal seventies work on songs such as "Call Me", "Livin' for You" and "L-O-V-E". Quiet Elegance, formed in 1971, also did background voice work withThe Temptations; Temptations membersMelvin Franklin andOtis Williams were the original organizers of the group.[7] It was at a Temptations show inMemphis in 1972, whereHi Records'Willie Mitchell saw the group and signed them to a recording contract for his label. The group also performed on tour with both Al Green andEngelbert Humperdinck before disbanding in 1977.
In the late 1970s, Lois quit singing and opened a night spot in Detroit with her then-husband. A few years later she closed the business, got divorced, and found herself back on the road as a Vandella, this time with younger sister Delphine. In 1990, she released the single "Patience Is a Virtue"[11] and the album track "Sweet Temptation" forIan Levine'sMotorcity project.[2][12] "Patience Is a Virtue" is one of the songs on theLadies Of Soul 2 Motorcity album.[13]
Lois continues singing with her sisters Martha and Delphine asMartha Reeves and the Vandellas.[14] Her contribution to her tenure as member of the Vandellas led to her being inducted in 1995 into theRock & Roll Hall of Fame,[15][16] The Rhythm & Blues Hall Of Fame, and theVocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.[14] She continues to reside in Detroit where she lives near her siblings and occasionally does consultant work for theNAACP, Detroit Chapter. Lois has also been involved with work for theDetroit Symphony Orchestra.[2] Motown Records held a 50th anniversary celebration, "Bop to the Ballroom", at the Roostertail in Detroit on November 20, 2009; Lois was one of those attending and celebrating fifty years of Motown music.[17][18]
