She may no longer be playing a brand new beat but Motown legend Martha Reeves tells Joe Willis she still loves getting people up and dancing in the street

AFTER half a century of performing, Martha Reeves – lead singer of Martha and The Vandellas – could be forgiven for taking it easy. But the gracious Motown legend is having none of it and is still enjoying travelling the world, delighting audiences and having a great time.

The singer has recently embarked on the 72-date Calling Out Around the World Tour 2014, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Dancing in the Street single.

On Saturday, July 26, she will appear at the Stockton Weekender festival alongside acts such as Shed Seven and Happy Mondays.

“I’m looking forward to coming to Stockton. It’s a new place for me, but I love visiting new places, especially in the UK – our music is so well-liked that everywhere we go is a joy,” says the star.

As well as Stockton, audiences in exotic locations including Madrid, Milan and Sao Paulo are being treated to performances from a group whose back catalogue features chart hits and sing-a-long classics such as Jimmy Mack, (Love is Like a) Heatwave and Nowhere to Run.

Speaking from her Detroit home, the singer tells how she recently performed at a giant street party in Beverley Hills to celebrate the city’s 100th anniversary.

“We had streets full of people dancing and had a wonderful celebration,” says Miss Reeves.

“We’re having a great time on the tour and are looking forward to bringing our celebration to Stockton.

“The enthusiasm for the music doesn’t stop.”

Martha and The Vandellas became famous in the 1960s, starting out as backing singers for Marvin Gaye before getting their own music contract.

The name Vandellas comes from Detroit’s Van Dyke Street where Miss Reeves lived as a child and Detroit R&B vocalist Della Reese, who was the singer’s idol.

“It’s been a love affair with the world since then,” adds the performer.

Miss Reeves says she always loves performing at festivals, no matter who she shares the bill with and with her birthday falling just before Stockton Weekender she is determined to have a great time in the North-East.

“All the performers are there like you because they love music and I know our music will hold its own. It’s often one big reunion.

“You get to walk around, watch other acts and try different food. I also like that families come to festivals – I think festivals are a door – a highway – for wonderful times and great music.”

As well as performing around the world, the former Detroit city councillor is campaigning for musicians’ rights.

In the US a loophole in the law means that radio stations do not have to pay royalties on songs recorded before February 15, 1972.

Campaigners recently took the fight to Capitol Hill in Washington where Miss Reeves performed Aretha Franklin’s R-E-S-P-E-C-T, a song which has become the inspiration for new laws aimed at closing the loophole.

“We have no retirement plan as entertainers and have to survive,” she says.

“We believe we were the foundation of the music business and it’s inhumane for us not to get paid.”

  • Stockton Weekender tickets cost £32.50 per day, £50 for a weekend pass and £80 for weekend plus camping. Tickets: stocktonweekender.co.uk