Rosalind Ashford, Original Member of Martha and the Vandellas, Passes Away At 83
Ashford sang on numerous Motown classics including ‘Dancing in the Street’ and ‘Heat Wave.’
Rosalind Ashford, one of the three original members of Motown icons Martha and the Vandellas, has died at 83. Her death was originally reported by the Detroit Free Press, who confirmed she died of natural causes.
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Ashford sang on numerous Motown classics including “Dancing in the Street,” “Heat Wave,” “Jimmy Mack,” and “Nowhere to Run.” In 1995, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the original Vandellas when they became the second all-female group to be honored.
In a statement, Martha Reeves shared, “I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Rosalind Ashford. Rosalind played an important part in the early days of Martha and the Vandellas. Her voice will forever be with us through our great recordings together, and she will be missed, but never forgotten. Our Motown family has just gotten a little smaller. My heart is heavy.”
A Detroit-native, Ashford attended Wilbur Wright High School. She first appeared on the local music scene as a teenager with the group the Del-Phis, later the Vels, alongside Annette Beard and Gloria Williams. Reeves became the fourth singer in their quarter following a departure. In the early ‘60s, the women recorded background vocals at Motown Studios for Mary Wells and Marvin Gaye. Motown chief Berry Gordy offered them a recording contract. Williams left before the group debuted, and as a trio they became Martha and the Vandellas.
Ashford remained with the group until 1969, when she was replaced by Sandra Tilley. She built a career outside of the music industry and married, changing her name to Ashford-Holmes. Her son Damon Holmes shared that she enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family. From the 1980s onward, Ashford and fellow founding member Beard have performed as The Original Vandellas.
On Instagram, Classic Motown mourned her loss, sharing, “Rosalind’s vocal talent helped define the golden era of the Motown sound,” and “her harmonies served as the soundtrack to a generation.”
She is survived by her son, Damon, and four grandchildren.
