Rosalind Ashford, the soprano vocalist whose voice was a defining element of the Motown trio Martha and the Vandellas, died on September 15 in Detroit. She was 83. The announcement was made by Martha Reeves, the group’s leader, via social media, though no further details about the cause of death were provided. Ashford had been living with dementia in recent years.

Ashford’s clear, crystalline soprano complemented Ms. Reeves’s powerful alto, helping to shape the group’s distinctive, gritty, and soulful sound that set them apart from other Motown acts in the 1960s. Martha and the Vandellas enjoyed significant success during that decade, producing hits such as “Dancing in the Street,” “Nowhere to Run,” and “Jimmy Mack,” and were considered the label’s premier female group after Diana Ross and the Supremes.

Born Rosalind Lee Ashford on September 2, 1943, in Detroit, she began singing in church choirs and school glee clubs before joining the music industry. In 1957, Ashford co-founded the Del-Phis, a trio that eventually evolved into Martha and the Vandellas with the addition of Martha Reeves and others. Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, signed the group in 1962, focusing the spotlight on Reeves as lead singer while Ashford and other members provided harmonies.

The group’s early hits were powered by the songwriting team of Lamont Dozier and Brian and Eddie Holland, who crafted songs like “Come and Get These Memories” and “(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave,” both released in 1963. The Vandellas became regulars on the Motown Revue tour, performing alongside other Motown stars such as Smokey Robinson and Mary Wells.

During one tour in the Deep South, Ashford experienced firsthand the harsh realities of segregation and racial violence that targeted civil rights activists at the time. She later recounted being shot at while traveling between venues.

Despite her foundational role in the group, Ashford faced challenges within Motown. After a 1969 tour, she was informed that she would be removed from the lineup due to Reeves’s unwillingness to perform with her, receiving a severance package to end her contract. Ashford left the music industry and took a position as a computer specialist at Michigan Bell, retiring around 1999.

Ashford married, taking the surname Holmes, and is survived by her son Damon and several grandchildren. After years of estrangement, Ashford and Reeves reconciled and reunited for performances, including tours with original member Annette Beard. In 1991, Ashford and Reeves reached a settlement with Motown over unpaid royalties.

Despite her success, Ashford maintained a grounded perspective on her career, distinguishing between her time as a celebrated singer and her life as a working professional. “That was me then, and this is me now,” she once said. The group, including Ashford, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, securing their legacy in American music history.