One of the Best - R&B Singer-Songwriter Teena Marie Has Died at Age 54
R&B singer Teena Marie has died at the age of 54, her manager Mike Gardner confirms to CNN.com. Gardner told the news outlet Marie passed away in her sleep and was found by her daughter, Alia Rose.
Marie was scheduled to perform in Atlanta later this week after suffering a grand mal seizure a month ago, according to her publicist Lynn Jeter. Marie was best known for her hit "Lovergirl" and her work with R&B/Funk legend Rick James. Marie, who signed with Motown Records in 1976, released 13 albums during her career. In an eerie twist, the singer tweeted this Sarah Vaughn lyric on Christmas Day: "May You never grow old, and may I never die."
It is difficult to choose one defining song to sum up Teena Marie's career, but here is one of our favorites.
Some interesting facts from Wikipedia Wild and Peaceful is the debut album by Teena Marie, released in 1979 on Motown, and featuring significant contributions from Rick James. The packaging of the album is renowned for not including an image of Marie. It is suggested that this was in order that R&B buyers would not dismiss Marie on discovering that she was Caucasian.
ReplyDeleteWild and Peaceful peaked at #18 on the Black Albums chart and #94 on the Billboard Albums chart. Lead single "I'm a Sucker For Your Love" reached #8 on the US Black Singles chart and #43 in the United Kingdom.