Singer Teena Marie is Dead at 54

Rhythm and blues singer, Teena Marie, is dead at the age of 54. She died on Sunday, December 26, 2010, at her home in Pasadena, California. The cause was not immediately known, but The Associated Press reported that the authorities said it appeared as though she died of natural causes. She is survived by her teenage daughter, Alia Rose.

She was born Mary Christine Brockert in Santa Monica, California. After graduating from high school and attending Santa Monica College for a short time, she signed with Motown Records. Teena's first album "Wise And Peaceful," with Rick James as producer, was released in 1979. She did a duet with Rick James on that album called "I'm Just a Sucker For Your Love" which went to #8 on the R&B singles chart. She ended up having a long and turbulent love affair with Rick James.

Teena Marie was one of the most gifted and respected soul singers and was thoroughly embraced by the black audience. Although at the beginning of her career her race was hidden from the public, she was always forthright about the black influences in her music. She had an interview with Essence.com last year. "Overall my race hasn't been a problem," she said. "I'm a black artist with white skin. At the end of the day you have to sing what's in your own soul."

An interesting fact is that Teena Marie danced for Jed Clampett when she was 8 years old on an episode of "The Beverly Hillbillies," under the name of Tina Marie Brockert.

We will miss her.

Source:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/arts/music/28marie.html?src=mv