Rosalind Ashford, original member of Martha and the Vandellas, dies at 83

The Motown singer’s soprano could be heard on classics including “Dancing in the Street,” “Heat Wave” and “Jimmy Mack.”

Rosalind Ashford, an original member of Martha and the Vandellas whose high soprano helped define some of Motown’s biggest hits, has died at 83.

The Hollywood Reporter reported that Ashford died Sept. 15 in Redford Township, Michigan, of natural causes. She had celebrated her 83rd birthday less than two weeks earlier.

Martha Reeves paid tribute to her former groupmate, saying Ashford played an important role in the early years of Martha and the Vandellas and that her voice would live on through their recordings.

Ashford was born in Detroit in 1943 and began singing while still in school. In 1957, she joined Annette Beard, Gloria Williams and Martha Reeves in the Del-Phis. After Williams left in 1962, the remaining trio sang background vocals for Marvin Gaye before signing with Motown as Martha and the Vandellas.

Their breakthrough came with “Come and Get These Memories” in 1963, followed by a run of songs that became central to the Motown catalog.

Ashford’s soprano can be heard on classics including “(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave,” “Dancing in the Street,” “Nowhere to Run” and “Jimmy Mack.” Martha and the Vandellas became one of Motown’s most successful all-female groups during the 1960s.

Ashford left the group in 1968 and later worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company. She continued to reunite with former members for occasional performances in later decades.

Martha and the Vandellas were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, with Ashford among the inducted members. Their recordings continued to influence generations of soul and pop singers worldwide.

Ashford is survived by her son, Damon Holmes, four grandchildren and a daughter-in-law.