Motown Memories & Celebrating Rosalind Ashford on ttt

Hello hello silver bloggers, music lovers and Hello hivers!

One of my favourite days because it means a post on Hive will be written by me, and I get to hear other music that Hivers and Hiveians enjoy. Well for the select band that participate in ttt anyway!

Picture by me

Golden Oldies

This week, my selections come with a bit of a heavy heart, but also genuine celebration. You can definitely tell you are aging when you constantly seem to know or at least have heard of people that pass away.

We lost an absolute legend of the classic Motown sound on 15 September 2026. The one and only Rosalind Ashford-Holmes who passed away at the age of 83.

While people will often remember Martha Reeves as the front powerhouse of Martha and the Vandellas, anyone who appreciates 1960s soul knows the real truth .... namely that it was Rosalind Ashford's soaring razor-sharp high soprano that was the real glue that held those harmonies together.

From their humble beginnings in Detroit as the Del-Phis through their relentless run on the Motown label, Rosalind sang backing vocals on early Marvin Gaye sessions before providing the punch behind some of the greatest singles ever pressed to vinyl.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, Rosalind Ashford-Holmes was a foundational piece of the engine room that built the sound of young America.

Rest in peace Rosalind and thank you for the soundtrack.

What's your personal favourite Motown girl group record? Drop your thoughts, links, and memories in the comments below!

Here are three classics that capture her vocal brilliance whilst singing in Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

3 tunes from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

I saw a wee while ago I was 5 years here on Hive, well I have been in CBA mode...

Virtually everyone that joined around the same time as me an whom I engaged with have stopped using Hive. So the fun has gone out of it, and when something is not fun in life then I stop doing it.

So thank you or should I say salamat inday to @haveyoumetellie for being a fresh of air, a real engager who actually reads your posts, who gave me a great big Kick Up my Arse and said get writing my ttt basically!

So then it is only fitting this ttt is of another wonderful woman.

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It is Tuesday and that of course means that it's #ttt or #threetunetuesday and so it's time to share some tunes with you!

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@ablaze started #ttt 278 weeks ago! Go check out what it is all about on his latest post Thr Frames for Three Tune Tuesday - Week 273 - win some HBI

Do go support @ablaze as without him we would not have this mental fun musical activity that you can win HSBI from! I am happy to be one of the SIX sponsors and it is kinda fun checking out music from all over this global village of ours!

Long live #ttt 😁🎼 and #threetunetuesday

Tune 1 - Martha Reeves & the Vandellas - (Love Is Like a) Heat Wave

Love is Like a Heat Wave was written by the legendary Holland–Dozier–Holland team. It was also the breakout record that announced Martha and the Vandellas to the world. It possessed a rougher, brassier, and grittier edge than contemporaries like The Supremes. Straight from the off, Rosalind and Annette Beard match Martha bar for fluffing bar.

Tune 2 - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - Dancing in the Street

An anthem that transcended the charts to define the cultural and social atmosphere of the mid-1960s.

Dancing in the street was co-written by Marvin Gaye, Ivy Jo Hunter, and Mickey Stevenson, the record is driven by tire chains beating against the floor and brass flourishes.

Beneath the unmistakable lead vocal you can hear Rosalind’s high harmonies floating right across the top.

A song that has been covered umpteen times as have all these three tunes...

You probably remember the David Bowie & Mick Jagger 1985 version that was recorded in just a few hours for the global Live Aid concert.

Tune 3 - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - Jimmy Mack

We finish up with another banger Jimmy Mack that was recorded earlier in the decade but held in the Motown vaults until 1967.

Jimmy Mack became one of their defining late-60s smashes.

Enough of my waffling just listen to these tunes and I would be surprised if you didn't sing along with them! I know I did....0

So there you have it, 3 songs released from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas!

Which was your favourite tune? Or have you never heard of them?

Note: The 3 YouTube videos that I have shared are not owned by me, I am simply spreading great music on Hive.

I wish that you all have a brilliant happy fun and terrific Tuesday until we meet again enjoy your tunes 🎶🎵🎶

Thanks for visiting!

The images and ramblings are from me, with some assistance from gemini on the verbage and the lead image, the mad Scotsman TengoLoTodo unless otherwise stated.

@tengolotodo September 22nd 2026

DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND DO IT OFTEN

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