Tenna Marie, also known as Lady T, passed away 12 years ago today, but many fans still remember her legacy through the years because of her hit songs in the 1980s.
Take a look at the singer's early life, career beginnings, and successful music timeline below.
Born Mary Christine Brockert on March 5, 1956, the pop star spent her early days in Mission Hills, California. She was the daughter of a construction worker and home renovator.
At the age of two, the singer began exploring her talent as she started singing songs like "Banana Boat Song" by Harry Belafonte and more.
Her parents didn't want to waste her talent in performing that's why they encouraged her to audition several times until she landed a role on "The Beverly Hillbillies."
Teena Marie's Singing Career
Later in life, Teena Marie explored her talent in music. She taught herself to play different instruments like congas, guitar, bass, and more.
She then collaborated with her brother Anthony and their cousin to form an R&B band.
Years passed and the musician got a chance to audition for one of the most renowned recording companies, Motown.
She auditioned for a movie about orphans, but the project got shelved and was never released to the public, but executive producer Berry Gordy was so impressed with her talent in singing, and that's why she was signed under the company as a solo act.
Lady T released her debut album with Motown titled "Wild and Peaceful" in 1979. She went on to dominate the scene with more projects in the future.
Some of her most popular albums were "It Must Be Magic," "Starchild" "La Doña," "Robbery," "Ivory," "Sapphire," and many more.
Her final album "Congo Square" was released in 2009, but a posthumous project later dropped in January 2013 titled "Beautiful." The record was completed by her daughter, Alia Rose.
Teena Marie Death
The singer had health problems that began in 2004 when she was sleeping in a hotel room when suddenly, a picture frame fell on her head. The accident led her to suffer from momentary seizures for the next years of her life.
According to Fox NYC, Teena Marie was found dead by her daughter at her home in Pasadena, California. A month before her passing, she reportedly suffered a grand mal seizure.
Per Los Angeles County's autopsy report, there were no signs of trauma in her body and they concluded that she passed away from natural causes.
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