Artist Name: Martha & The Vandellas

Year Inducted: 2008

Details

Category: Legendary Songs

"Dancing In The Street" (M. Gaye, M. Stevenson, I. Hunter) - Martha & The Vandellas;  Gordy label,  # 1 Billboard R&B, # 2 Billboard Hot 100 - 1964.  Inducted in 2008.

Martha & The Vandellas' classic hit was written by Mickey Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter, and Marvin Gaye. Stevenson, who discovered Martha Reeves for Motown, first offered the song to Kim Weston, who turned it down. Mickey then brought it to Martha and had her sing on a demo of "Dancing In The Street" with Stevenson, Hunter, and Gaye singing background. 

Although Reeves didn't like the song at first, her recording of "Dancing In The Street" with the Vandellas became not only their biggest hit but also their signature song. 

Released in the summer of 1964, it spent two weeks at # 2 on the Hot 100 and a total of fourteen weeks on the chart. "Dancing In The Street" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. 

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68Uv959QuCg