Motown icon Martha Reeves has thanked Elvis Presley for breaking down barriers in the music industry and paving the way for stars like herself.
Martha, 85, broke onto the scene in 1962 as she fronted Martha and the Vandellas. She had been a secretary at Motown Records before her big breakthrough, with tunes such as Come and Get These Memories, Heatwave and Dancing in the Street.
But years earlier, Elvis shocked the world with his controversial performances. His risky suggestive dancing and rebellious persona saw him break the mould as he burst onto the scene with That's All Right. And on the 49th anniversary of his death aged just 42, Martha has praised the King of Rock n Roll for his actions.
Elvis's Impact on Martha's Career
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Martha says: "He broke down all the barriers. They were telling him to stop wiggling, and he was telling them that he can't sing unless he wiggles."
"And it wasn't about mattresses being broken, it was about people coming out of their shell and enjoying their bodies and loving the jiggling that Elvis taught them."
She confesses she believes "he is the reason for us actually having a career". "He made us realise that we are human beings," she adds.
"When Elvis was on stage with his guitar and wiggling all over, and the people telling him to stop dancing so much 'cause he's breaking mattresses all over the United States, we all realised that the man was just so talented that he couldn't stand still when he sang."
"He would wiggle off his gospel songs that he did. So, he was a wonderful man."
Elvis's Influence in a Segregated Era
During the strict segregation of the 1950s, many conservative white Americans were threatened by Elvis' style and said he was "popularising" Black musical styles to mainstream, integrated audiences.
Critics at the time had accused the star of degrading white youth culture and some stations in his early years refused to play his records. But Elvis mania soon swept the nation and beyond.
And despite never having actually met him, Martha says her and Elvis' careers followed a similar path. Martha adds: "I was in Los Angeles when the Colonel put his name all over the billboards. I knew Elvis was coming."
"I didn't know for what, but I was here when that action was being taken, and we were so glad to know when he finally arrived. Elvis Presley, the phenomenal of our generation."
"We never worked with him. It's almost like we followed him around with the Motown idea. Same era, same kind of music, but his was of another type, and he was another superstar."
Martha's New Album
And when it comes to her favourite Elvis song? "I loved singing Jailhouse Rock. Don't ask me why," she tells us as she breaks into song. "I love that song!"
Over six decades on and Martha is still in the recording studios. The Alabama-native raised in Detroit has released her first album in 22 years. It marks her 17th studio album and seventh solo studio album. And it comes 60 years on from her best-selling album, Watchout!, which featured tunes such as I'm Ready for Love and Jimmy Mack.
"We started recording in New Orleans at the Ellis Marsalis Studios," she said of her new work. "Those youngsters are making their dad so proud, and God rest his soul."
Martha Reeves' new album, Searching, is out now.
