Tammi Terrell
Tammi Terrell
Her mother is an Actress, and her Father is a Barbershop owner. Her sister said that their mother was mentally ill. She was the oldest of 2 siblings. Her sisted said in a book that Tammi was raped by 3 boys when she was 11 years old. So, already, this is someone who had a traumatic childhood. At the age of 11 years old, already going through that, it’s a lot. And around this time, she was starting to get headaches. She then attended Georgetown High School in Philadelphia. She was born in Philly. In 1960, she was signed to the Wand subsidiary of Scepter Records. After being discovered by Luther Dixon.
She recorded the ballet If You See Bill.And she also did demos for The Shirells. After another song, she left the label. She was introduced to James brown. At this time, he was coming up in the Music industry, making a name for himself and doing well. She then signed a contract with him and sang backup. This was a good way for her to get an idea of what the Entertainment business is like. In 1961, she was in a group called The Sherrys. In 1962, she was kicked out because there were disputes. When it comes to being in a group, it’s not easy.
There are so many things that can go wrong. That’s why Groups only last for a few years. Many people want to be able to do things their way. In 1963, she recorded the song I Cried and it was released on James brown. It became their first charting song. She was then signed to Checker Records. She then did a duet with If I Were to Marry You a duet with Jimmy Radcliffe. She took a break from the Music industry after that. She could have done that to figure out more about herself and who she is.
She then attended the Ivy League university University of Pennsylvania. She did a pre-med. And was there for about 2 years. School can be good. Some people can maintain both. And go to school and do other things, and then some can’t do both. Tammi was asked by Jerry to sing with him in a series of nightclubs. She continued with her schooling. And remember Tammi was only 24 years old when she died, and when you’re in you’re teens or even early 20s. You’re still figuring out who you are. She then began touring with Butler.
She was spotted by Motown’s CEO, who promised to sign her and his name is Berry Gordy. She signed with Motown on her 20th birthday, and it was in 1965. I can’t believe you love me did well on the R&B chart, and it got her attention as a solo artist because during her teens, she was in a Group. And then she released Come on and see me. And then in 1966 she recorded classics like . The old heart of mine weakens from their Brothers, and then also a Stevie Wonder song. Motown hired Tammi to sing a duet with Marvin Gaye.
Marvin Gaye said that he wasn’t aware of her talent until they began singing together. The duets were first recorded separately. And then it was followed up by Ashford & Simpson ain’t No Mountain High Enough. Both Marvin and Tammi recorded their sessions separately. This became big, and it was worldwide. People really liked hearing them sing together. And they really enjoyed it a lot. The song became a hit in the spring of 1967. And it made Tammi a star. At this point, she wasn’t known for being in a group. She was developing her name and becoming successful. Your precious love became even more successful.
At the end of 1967, they achieved success. If this world were mine become successful. Marvin gaye said that it was Tammi’s favourite song. They even had a duet album, called Duet.And it was released in the summer of 1967 . Through 1967, Tammi and Marvin were always performing together because their music made sense when it came to them and they were doing very well for themselves. In 1967, the Funk Brothers supported Marvin Gaye and Tammi. Tammi was becoming a star, and the migraines and headaches were becoming more and more constant. She was still performing even though she wasn’t well.
In 1967, she collapsed on Marvin Gaye’s arms while she was performing Your Precious Love. The doctors diagnosed her with a tumor. She didn’t let that stop her, though she went to the studio and recorded songs like “You’re All I Need to Get By”. Both that song and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing”.Her tumour, though, was getting worse, and she needed to undergo surgery. By 1969, she had retired when it came to the performances and the doctors didn’t feel like it was a good idea to perform. She released her first and only solo album in 1969 called Irresistible.
Marvin and Tammi’s third album was released in 1969. She became very sick and she couldn’t record. In late 1969, she made her final appearance at the Apollo Theatre, where Marvin Gaye performed. There are so many things that happened during the time that she was growing up. It was reported that she faced domestic violence by James brown when she was just 17 years old. And he is 12 years older than her. A witness, BobbyBennettt saw it. And in 1966, she was in a relationship with David Ruffin. However, it came out that he was married. And this happened after she announced their engagement.
At the time of her death, she was engaged to Ernest Garrett. He was a doctor at the hospital. Her life is very traumatic and sad. And it just doesn’t make sense why she went through that at such a young age, and she ended up dying in 1970s. She was just starting to make a name for herself and do well. The fact that this happened is very sad. And the domestic violence that she went through being raped. Her life was just full of violence at the hands of men. And this was during the early time of 1960s. May she rest in peace.