Teena Marie - Deja Vu

Mary Christine Brockert, better known by her stage name Teena Marie, (March 5, 1956 -- December 26, 2010) was an American singer, songwriter and producer. She was known as Tina before taking the stage name Teena Marie; she later acquired the nickname of Lady Tee (sometimes spelled Lady T) given to her by mentor, collaborator, and friend Rick James. She was known for her distinctive soulful vocals which initially caused many listeners to believe she was African-American. Her success in R&B and soul and loyalty to these genres would earn her the title Ivory Queen of Soul. 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, which she later said was her favorite album.

Teena Marie, who never wed, gave birth to a daughter in 1991, whom she named Alia Rose, who, as of 2009, sang under the name Rose LeBeau.

Throughout her career, Teena Marie had lived in Inglewood, California and Encino before settling in Pasadena in the mid-1980s.

In addition to Maya Rudolph, Teena Marie was godmother to Marvin Gaye's daughter Nona Gaye. She also cared for Rick James' son, Rick Jr. and family friend Jeremiah O'Neal. Lenny Kravitz posted a video in which he revealed that Teena Marie had taken him into her home and helped him when he was struggling early in his career. Teena's hobbies included archery, drawing, and writing poetry.

Around 2004, Teena Marie lay sleeping in a hotel room when a large picture frame fell and struck her in the head. The blow caused a serious concussion that would result in momentary seizures for the rest of her life. She had suffered a Grand mal seizure just one month before her death.

On the afternoon of December 26, 2010, Teena Marie was found unresponsive by daughter Alia Rose at her home in Pasadena, California. As of December 30, 2010, an autopsy was performed by the Los Angeles County coroner, who found no signs of apparent trauma or discernible cause of death. Eventually it was concluded that Teena Marie died of natural causes.

A memorial was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery on January 10, 2011. Among the luminaries who attended were Smokey Robinson, LisaRaye, Sinbad, Tichina Arnold, Stevie Wonder, and Tata Vega.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Teena
• Marie
• Rose
• LeBeau
• Ivory
• Queen
• of
• Soul
• Lady
• Tee
• inspirational
• American
• singer
• songwriter
• producer
• archery
• drawing
• writing
• poetry
• R&B
• blues
• original

[breathoffreshair360]

There will never be another Teena Marie. She was an anomaly with a voice and style that can't be duplicated. I admire the way she always stayed true to herself no matter how much the times changed. I like many of her fans around the world will miss her loving presence. Another one of God's Angles taken away too soon but never forgotten. Rest In Peace, Lady Tee! ~ Phurdrick

[AbbottSupreme]

Love & miss her essence :(( Yes you've been here before Tina Marie, I can feel it ...her legacy lives on what a beautiful spirit`~_~` touchin' post phurdrick ..ty..Peace love bless!~

[breathoffreshair360]

@AbbottSupreme I agree 100%, Lady Tee will be truly missed. ~Phurdrick

[ItsXp3erynce]

I have always loved this song!!!

[breathoffreshair360]

@ItsXp3erynce me too, passed shortly after her passing before but youtube took down. I miss her beautiful spirit, plus I'm so happy I seen her live with Rick James before they both passed...dam :( Thanks for your comment too. ~Phurdrick

[breathoffreshair360]

@breathoffreshair360 OMG! Just seen a error in my reply now, lol.....posted shortly after her passing but youtube/copy rights took it down....my bad :O)

[sharesha89]

I once was a white gazelle, on horseback riding free, searching in the darkness, for a piece of me. I can feel this forsure i've been here before. R.I.P Vanilla Choc.

[angieoconnor1]

@naji1 I believe this IS the best song ever written. It make me full of goose bumps, bring tears to my eyes, knots in my stomach. Oh gosh. The sea crashing against the rocks, the harp and the flute - everything so perfect. This woman deserves to be called Lady. Her voice just captures you and you just go off into another world of make believe where she sings...'rainbow coloured people, happy as can be' WOW its like God wispering in her ears to tell us 'come on, lets live together' R.I.P Lady T

[naji1]

One of the most creatively written songs EVER!!!WHAT A THINKER (and a voice 2match)!!!

[musicman38]

In my top 3 songs of all time...

[mochafrap2006]

Lady T....will be missed....that was my girl.....she had soul.....SHE WAS WHAT YOU WOULD CALL A WHITE PERSON WITH SOUL....WHITE-CHOCOLATE.

[Gurlsugar]

I've been here before...