Teena Marie dead at 54
Teena Marie, singer and Rick James protege, is dead at the age of 54. She was found unresponsive in her Pasadena home on Sunday and, according to Pasadena police, the death appeared to be from natural causes.
Although Marie had a long career, starting at Motown records, she's most remembered for her '80s-era hit "Lovergirl:"
"Teena was a black voice trapped in a white body," said Cathy Hughes to CNN. Hughes is founder of Radio One, a broadcasting company that targets African-American and urban listeners. "I would always tell her that she was one of the greatest vocalists of our time."
No cause of death has been released but, according to CNN, Marie's publicist said she suffered a grand mal seizure in November from which she was still recovering.
Sources: The Associated Press, CNN
By
Liz Kelly
| December 27, 2010; 7:57 AM ET
Categories:
Obits
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Teena Marie
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Posted by: fatman20 | December 27, 2010 8:47 AM | Report abuse
"Irons in the Fire", Portuguese Love", "Deja Vu", & "Cassanova Brown". All wonderful songs I'd listen to in highschool on WHUR. I've always said Teena Marie was my favorite female singer. I will miss her.
Posted by: kweenbee | December 27, 2010 9:35 AM | Report abuse
"Portuguese Love" was one of my favorites. She'll be missed.
Posted by: MILLER123 | December 27, 2010 9:38 AM | Report abuse
So sad to have her voice silenced. She was an amazing vocalist, loved by millions.
Posted by: PepperDr | December 27, 2010 9:47 AM | Report abuse
...rest in peace Teena Marie...
...such a beautiful dynamic voice...
...Ask Your Momma, Dear Lover, Stop the World, so many more...
...rest in peace beautiful lady...
Posted by: moon-base-beta | December 27, 2010 9:48 AM | Report abuse
REST IN PEACE GIRL! Your voice will be truly missed. I pray that you and Rick James will continue to make music in paradise. Prayers go out to family!!!
Posted by: KKKsAtItAgain | December 27, 2010 10:08 AM | Report abuse
Dead at age 54 ... of natural causes?? Isn't that a little young to die of natural causes?
Posted by: SubRosa2 | December 27, 2010 10:12 AM | Report abuse
Not if she had heart issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. There's plenty of things that would cause a natural death at a young age.
She'll be missed. RIP.
Posted by: wadejg | December 27, 2010 10:17 AM | Report abuse
Love and Miss you, Teena. Rest in Peace Lady T.
Posted by: jusmy2cents | December 27, 2010 10:20 AM | Report abuse
Great, great voice and much appreciated.
Posted by: peauxsucent888 | December 27, 2010 10:40 AM | Report abuse
Rest in Peace Teena. They don't make them like you anymore!
Posted by: thelildiva4u | December 27, 2010 10:45 AM | Report abuse
Dead at 54 of "natural causes" with a history of drug addiction. What's wrong with this picture?
Posted by: theFieldMarshall | December 27, 2010 10:49 AM | Report abuse
I just found her and now she is gone. Sure grateful for her wonderful life and music. Lot of us got lost in the drug thing. Now we are survivors!
Posted by: ofatmarine | December 27, 2010 11:43 PM | Report abuse
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What a lady, a professional, truly one of the best soul singers we've had in the industry. Rest in Peace Teena.