Teena Marie was an award-winning American singer–songwriter–producer known for her R&B performances, died on Sunday, December 26, 2010, at home, as announced by her manager, Mike Gardner. She is rumored to have suffered from seizures. One report says the singer was found by her daughter and was unresponsive. The story was first reported by radio station WDAS in Philadelphia. She was 54.
A native, of Santa Monica, California, she was born Marie Christine Brockert. A four-time Grammy nominee, Teena Marie had a strong African-American influence from her godmother. Blessed with the gift of music at a young age grew up in the historically African-American enclave of Oakwood in Westside Los Angeles. Raised on Motown music and singing Harry Belafonte music by age 2, Marie’s self-professed “Gift from God” would become fine-tuned as the years progressed.
She came to prominence in the late 70s and early 80s and worked extensively with soul/funk legend Rick James. Marie, nicknamed Lady Tee, (sometimes spelled Lady T), was notable as one of the few successful white performers of R&B. “Lovergirl” was her biggest hit peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was an immediate dance floor favorite and still enjoys wide radio airplay today. She had other chart-toppers with “Square Biz,” “I’m a Sucker For Your Love,” “I Need Your Lovin’” and ”Fire and Desire.”
She played rhythm guitar, keyboards and congas. She also wrote, produced, sang and arranged virtually all of her songs since her 1980 release Irons in the Fire. She said it was her favorite album. She had a daughter, Alia Rose, who, as of 2009, sang under the name Rose Le Beau.
http://pwspoilers.com/cnn-rb-singer-teena-... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teena_Marie
Posted By: Jen Fad
Monday, December 27th 2010 at 2:11AM
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