1. Thomasina Winifred Montgomery, professionally known as Tammi Terrell, was an American singer-songwriter, widely known as a star singer for Motown Records during the 1960s, notably for a series of duets with singer Marvin Gaye.
23 Facts About Tammi Terrell
1. 2.
Tammi Terrell was later diagnosed with a brain tumor and had eight unsuccessful surgeries before dying on March 16,1970, at the age of 24.
3.
When Tammi Terrell was born, the parents settled on the name Thomasina, nicknaming her "Tommie".
4.
Tammi Terrell later changed it to "Tammy" after seeing the film Tammy and the Bachelor and hearing its theme song, "Tammy", at the age of 12.
5.
In 1960, Tammi Terrell signed under the Wand subsidiary of Scepter Records after being discovered by Luther Dixon.
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Tammi Terrell recorded the ballad "If You See Bill" under the name Tammy Montgomery, and did demos for the Shirelles.
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Tammi Terrell later signed with Checker Records and released the Bert Berns-produced "If I Would Marry You", a duet with Jimmy Radcliffe, which Tammi Terrell co-composed.
8.
Tammi Terrell enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in pre-med, staying at the school for two years.
9.
Tammi Terrell agreed and signed with Motown on April 29,1965, her 20th birthday.
10.
In 1966, Tammi Terrell recorded two future classics, Stevie Wonder's "All I Do " and The Isley Brothers' "This Old Heart of Mine ".
11.
In early 1967, Motown hired Tammi Terrell to sing duets with Marvin Gaye, who had achieved duet success with Mary Wells and Kim Weston, as well as having recorded duets with Oma Heard.
12.
Tammi Terrell underwent brain surgery at Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia on January 13,1968.
13.
Valerie Simpson, on the other hand, stated that the ailing Tammi Terrell was brought into the studio when she was strong enough to record over Simpson's guide vocals, insisting Tammi Terrell had sung on the album.
14.
Late in 1969, Tammi Terrell made her final public appearance at the Apollo Theater, where Marvin Gaye performed.
15.
In 1962,17-year-old Tammi Terrell became involved in an abusive relationship with James Brown, who was 12 years her senior.
16.
One night on the road in 1963, Tammi Terrell left Brown after he assaulted her for not watching his entire performance.
17.
Tammi Terrell told Ebony magazine in 1969 that she believed her emotional state during this relationship was a contributing factor to her headaches, which came after quarrels.
18.
In 1967, Tammi Terrell ended their relationship after Ruffin hit her in the head with his motorcycle helmet.
19.
Tammi Terrell was a doctor at the hospital where Terrell had been treated.
20.
Tammi Terrell's funeral was held at the Janes Methodist Church in Philadelphia.
21.
Tammi Terrell blamed most of the label for failing to protect her from David Ruffin during their relationship.
22.
Tammi Terrell was interred at Mount Lawn Cemetery in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania.
23.
Gaye reportedly never fully got over Tammi Terrell's death, according to several biographers who have stated that Tammi Terrell's death led Gaye to depression and drug abuse.