Teena Marie

Teena Marie was an American singer-songwriter nicknamed Lady Tee, considered an R&B legend who proclaimed herself as the “Ivory Queen of Soul” because she was one of the first successful white performers of that genre of music. She had many classic hits including a duet with her mentor Rick James called “Fire and Desire”.

Marie was born in Santa Monica, CA but grew up in the more African-American area of Oakwood, CA where she was raised on Motown music. As a child, she received an acting role on “The Beverly Hillbillies” and sang at the famous actor Jerry Lewis’ wedding.

Marie played all types of instruments including rhythm guitar, keyboards, congas and others. In 1980 her album “Irons of Fire,” which she wrote, arranged and sang, was released. She considered this her favorite album. She also had many top hits on the black singles charts in her years as a musician.

Teena Marie released an album, “La Doña” in 2004, and a follow up in 2006 “Sapphire”. Both were successes but “La Doña” became a gold certified record and peaked at #6 on the billboard charts.

Her official cause of death hasn’t been announced yet, but authorities that found her said it looked like natural causes. She had one teenage daughter who is following closely in her footsteps as a singer-songwriter.