Betty Kelly

Betty Kelly (born September 16, 1944) is a former American singer, most famous for her tenure in the popular Motown singing group Martha and the Vandellas.

Biography

Early years

Born in Attalla, Alabama, Kelly's family moved to Detroit, Michigan when Kelly was a child. Like many children growing up in the city, Kelly found herself aspiring for a career in music. In 1961, she joined Motown singing group The Velvelettes. Kelly wasn't part of the group when the band had a hit with "Needle in a Haystack", which became a hit in 1965. A year before, Kelly was recruited by Motown president Berry Gordy to replace departed Martha and the Vandellas member Annette Beard as a member of the group led by Martha Reeves and featuring Rosalind Ashford.

Martha and the Vandellas

Betty Kelly joined what became the most famed lineup of the Vandellas, coming in quickly to record the single "Live Wire", which was similar to earlier Vandellas singles such as "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" and "Quicksand". The group found bigger success with what became signature songs including "Dancing in the Street", "Nowhere to Run" and "Jimmy Mack". The lineup of Reeves, Ashford and Kelly helped the group becoming international stars gaining popularity from performances from "The Ed Sullivan Show", "Shindig!" and "American Bandstand". Kelly was often mistaken for being an original member of the group despite the fact that Beard had sung on the group's earlier singles, often lip-synched by Kelly when the group performed on TV. Kelly's vocals contrasted from original member Beard's. During the group's later years, Kelly often had special lead singing spots during the group's performances alongside Reeves, which led to infighting between the duo instigated during performances on stage. By 1967, Kelly was kicked out of the group after being late to several performances and was quickly replaced by Martha's younger sister Lois Reeves with the group's name changed to "Martha Reeves and the Vandellas".

Later years

Little is known about Kelly's life after the Vandellas though it's said she rejoined the Velvelettes during a few occasions during reunion performances. However, Kelly is said to have fully retired from music after she became partially deaf in one ear. Kelly is renowned for her work in the Vandellas after the group was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 which Kelly was included as one of the inducted members alongside Martha, Lois, Annette, Roz and Sandra Tilley.