Rosalind Ashford, an original member of Motown’s Martha and the Vandellas, has died at 83.
Ashford died Tuesday (September 15) in Redford, Michigan, of natural causes, according to the Detroit Free Press. The Detroit native sang on some of the group’s biggest hits, including “Dancing in the Street,” “Heat Wave,” “Jimmy Mack,” and “Nowhere to Run,” The Hollywood Reporter reported.
Ashford began performing in the late 1950s as a member of the Del-Phis, a vocal group that included Annette Beard and Gloria Williams. Martha Reeves later joined the group, which went through several name changes before signing with Motown Records as Martha and the Vandellas.
The group broke through with “Come and Get These Memories” in 1963 and became one of Motown’s signature acts. Ashford remained with the group through 1969 and recorded nearly two dozen Top 40 R&B singles, according to the Detroit Free Press..
Martha and the Vandellas were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
Reeves remembered her former bandmate in a statement to the Detroit Free Press.
“Rosalind played an important part in the early days of Martha and the Vandellas,” Reeves said. “Her voice will forever be with us through our great recordings together.”
Ashford later worked for Michigan Bell, a regional telephone company, and continued performing with former Vandellas members. She is survived by her son, Damon Holmes, four grandchildren, and a daughter-in-law.
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