MARTHA REEVES - REEVES: 'OBAMA IS LEGACY OF MOTOWN'

REEVES: 'OBAMA IS LEGACY OF MOTOWN'

Legendary singer MARTHA REEVES was delighted to see BARACK OBAMA elected as the next U.S. President - because he has the chance to finish what Motown Records started 50 years ago today (12Jan09).
The singer brought black and white music fans together with her string of hits with the Vandellas in the 1960s.
Along with other Motown legends such as Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye, she inspired integration in heavily segregated areas of the States - and insists Obama's path to the White House is the result of the racial and religious progress which began with the success of Motown.
She says, "As full-time artists, we were politically involved. We went places that were segregated and when we left they were integrated - because of the music.
"We are now united. I was in downturn Detroit on election night. It was wonderful. I saw a Jewish rabbi, a Catholic priest, and a Baptist minister dancing around at a podium and each one giving a prayer the minute he was elected. That's unity. That was a sign that we're now finally united.
"There are not enough African-Americans in the world to elect a president of their race and so it took a lot of people to vote him into office. He's gonna represent everybody and I love that."
Motown was formed by Berry Gordy in Detroit on January 12, 1959 with an $800 (GBP530) loan from his parents. It went on to launch the careers of legendary artists including Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, and The Jackson 5.