The Billboard Sizzling 100 of October 16, 1971 marked the tip of a notable chapter in Motown historical past. It contained the ultimate new entry, on that chart, credited to Martha (Reeves) and the Vandellas, because the group debuted at No.74 with “Bless You.”
The music was written and produced by the Company, the collective that included label founder Berry Gordy. The upbeat, spirited quantity had greater than an echo, significantly within the verses, of the fabric being recorded on the time by the Company’s Motown priorities of the period, the Jackson 5. “Bless You” was additional embellished with some extra time-honored touches of the label’s trademark sound.
An period winds down
However whereas the J5 have been persevering with their red-hot streak — with 4 extra R&B Prime 3 singles in 1971 so as to add to their already bulging catalog of smash hits — Martha and the Vandellas would discover their time on the label coming swiftly to an finish. After that promising Sizzling 100 debut, and a soul chart entry the next week, “Bless You” ran out of steam at No.53 on the pop facet, and No.29 R&B.
The music went on to present Reeves and the group a UK Prime 40 entry early in 1972. Because it peaked there at No.33, there was a brand new entry for one of many group’s oldest Motown compatriots, as Stevie Marvel arrived with “If You Really Love Me.”
Martha and the Vandellas had two additional R&B chart entries, with “In And Out Of My Life” and “Tear It On Down.” However “Bless You” turned out to be the tip of a pop crossover story that had begun eight years earlier with “Come And Get These Memories,” and embraced 5 Prime 10 Sizzling 100 hits together with, after all, the immortal “Heat Wave” and “Dancing In The Street.”
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