Singer, Songwriter. Born Mary Christine Brockert in Santa Monica, California, Teena Marie was notable as a performer of R&B and funk through her work on rhythm guitar, keyboards and lead vocals, as well as working as a songwriter and producer. Formerly a protege of Rick James, Marie's best known single was "Lovergirl". Signed by Motown Records in 1976, Marie's first single was "I'm Just a Sucker for Your Love," a duet with Rick James. Notably, none of the album packaging included Marie's picture, presumably because it was thought by the music industry that a white woman playing R&B wouldn't sell. It was not until she appeared on Soul Train in 1979 that she was widely recognized as a white performer. 1980 brought Marie her first Top 40 hit, "I Need Your Lovin'" and by 1988, she had her first (and only) Billboard #1 song with "Ooo La La La". After taking time off in the 1990s to raise her daughter Alia Rose, Marie continued to produce recordings and tour, and had been doing so until shortly before her passing.
Singer, Songwriter. Born Mary Christine Brockert in Santa Monica, California, Teena Marie was notable as a performer of R&B and funk through her work on rhythm guitar, keyboards and lead vocals, as well as working as a songwriter and producer. Formerly a protege of Rick James, Marie's best known single was "Lovergirl". Signed by Motown Records in 1976, Marie's first single was "I'm Just a Sucker for Your Love," a duet with Rick James. Notably, none of the album packaging included Marie's picture, presumably because it was thought by the music industry that a white woman playing R&B wouldn't sell. It was not until she appeared on Soul Train in 1979 that she was widely recognized as a white performer. 1980 brought Marie her first Top 40 hit, "I Need Your Lovin'" and by 1988, she had her first (and only) Billboard #1 song with "Ooo La La La". After taking time off in the 1990s to raise her daughter Alia Rose, Marie continued to produce recordings and tour, and had been doing so until shortly before her passing.
Bio by: sr/ks
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