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DETROIT - Joining a colorful - if sometimes cantankerous - legislative body has worked wonders for Motown performer Martha Reeves' show business career.
In the month since Reeves became a freshman member of the Detroit City Council, she has been in high demand. She was interviewed on CNN and NBC's "Saturday Today" show, profiled in the New York Times and Rolling Stone and featured as the half-time performer during a game between the Pistons and the New York Knicks.
Now, with hundreds of national and international media in town for Sunday's Super Bowl, the calls continue: The BBC, "Dateline NBC," "Nightline " and a special show touring the city with local station WDIV-TV.
She's performing in two Super Bowl-related shows this week, including a private party and a Hitsville reunion of sorts that will feature the Four Tops, the Miracles and the original Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.
"I only decided to run for City Council when business slowed down," she said. "There are a lot of new acts out there, and our music is 40 years old. But since people have heard I am a civil servant, they want me to continue to be a social servant. We're getting more calls to continue our sound."
But while the powerhouse voice behind such hits as "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" and "Nowhere to Run" is juggling a new hectic schedule, Martha Reeves, the legislator, has been unusually quiet at the council table.
She takes notes during sessions, she has chaired a few meetings and even introduced a resolution or two. But the diva who painted her office on the 13th floor of City Hall bright purple and isn't known for being shy about sharing her opinions has so far been keeping them mostly to herself.
"I've got to take a back seat while I learn to drive," Reeves said. "I'm learning as I go. I'm getting a crash course.''
So far, her contributions have included making the point that council members should get free tickets to events or activities that require their approval, such as the Super Bowl, and introducing a resolution to rename West Grand Boulevard after Berry Gordy Jr., the famed record mogul who founded the Motown label.
Reeves, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame more than 10 years ago, said she wants to make sure that Detroit remembers its musical roots. She wants to find a way to realize a campaign pitch to recognize Motown greats - including herself and the Vandellas - with statues around the city.
She said she's even meeting with Wayne State University officials about trying to start a scholarship fund for music students in the name of Motown greats.
Reeves said she was elected to be a voice for city residents. She doesn't know yet exactly what that will entail, but she said she wants to find ways to deal with quality of life problems, such as making sure police are available to respond to emergency calls, improving city roads and helping entrepreneurs open small businesses.
"I'm overwhelmed, but I'm excited about the position," she said. She said she's learning the minutiae of city government, such as the proper form for writing resolutions and familiarizing herself with city ordinances.
She said she'll focus primarily on her council work, but plans to squeeze in time for performances. So far, she has missed at least two sessions to appear in New York for the "Today" show appearance and the performance at the Pistons-Knicks game.
Her new colleagues are not fazed by having the legendary performer at the council table.
"She's not coming with an entourage," said Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr. "When she comes, she's about business just like any other council member. ... She's quiet a lot of the time, but that's not unusual with newly elected officials. So you know when she does open her mouth, she's got something to say."
He said what's different is seeing other celebrities on the 13th floor visiting Reeves. He said just last week he returned from lunch, only to meet actress Jackee Harry, who was in town for a play, but stopped by the council offices to congratulate her old friend.
Celebrities on the council are not new, however.
Former council President Gil Hill was known for his role as the foul-mouthed Inspector Todd in the "Beverly Hills Cop" films, in which he starred with Eddie Murphy. Before him, longtime Detroit Tigers short stop Billy Rogell served on the council.
Reeves' political career has surprised at least one of her old Motown cohorts.
Rosalind Holmes of Detroit, one of the original Vandellas who began singing with Reeves in high school back in the 1960s, said she never knew Reeves to have any political aspirations.
She hasn't toured with Reeves in about two years, but will perform with her at the Motown show Saturday. She says she's glad for the attention that Reeves is getting because it may mean more gigs for the Vandellas.
"I know they have to mention the Vandellas when they mention Martha Reeves," Holmes said. "It's a good thing for the group. It does boost us."
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(c) 2006, Detroit Free Press. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service.
