If someone mentioned Tammi Terrell to you right now, your first thought would be, "Oh, the girl who sang with Marvin Gaye". That would be true, in part. She was actually a whole person, who had pre Motown material. She worked with James Brown and Jerry Butler; had been signed to three record labels, and had been opening act for Gary U.S. Bonds, and Patti Labelle and The Blue Belles prior to signing with Motown Records.

Born Thomasina Montgomery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 29th 1945. She was the daughter of Thomas Montgomery; a barber shop owner and politician and Jenny Montgomery a former actress, Tammi Terrell started singing while in the church choir. By the age of thirteen, she had won several talent shows and had started performing in local clubs and theaters, as opening act for artists such as Gary U.S. Bonds and Patti Labelle and The Blue Belles.

During one of her many local performances, she was spotted by talent scout Luther Dixon, who worked for Scepter/Wand Records. Later she signed with the label and spent her first recording session recording demo's for The Shirelles.

Two singles were release during her time on the Scepter/Wand label in . The first singles was called "If You See Bill" (1961), the second one was "Voice of Experience" (1962) (as Tammy Montgomery). Neither single was successful.

In 1963 she attracted the attention of James Brown and became a part of the "James Brown Revue". She also signed to his Try Me record label and recorded "I Cried", also as Tammy Montgomery. Rumors began to circulate alleging that she and Brown were romantically involved. Her parents were against this due to her age (she was still a teenager). Tammi's parents demanded that the romantic as well as the professional relationship between her and James Brown came to an end, so Tammy Montgomery left the revue.

Checker Records signed Tammy Montgomery in 1964. "If I Would Marry You" was released, but without success. A year later, still as Tammy Montgomery, she began performing with Jerry Butler at the 20 Grand club in Detroit, Michigan. She was spotted by Berry Gordy, who almost immediately signed her to Motown Records and changed her name to Tammi Terrell.

Terrell had little success as a solo artist with Motown. After recording "I Can't Believe You Love Me" and "Come On and See Me" and receiving only moderate success, producers Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol suggested that she replace Kim Weston, as Marvin Gaye's duet partner. Kim Weston left Motown due to royalty disputes and signed with Stax/Volt Records. This musical marriage produced several beautiful songs such as:

• Ain't No Mountain High Enough
• You're All I Need To Get By
• Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
• You're Precious Love
• The Onion Song

And too many more to name.

The Marvin and Tammi duets were written by Nicholas Ashford and Valorie Simpson, also known as Ashford and Simpson.

During a Marvin and Tammi performance at the homecoming of Hamden-Sydney College near Farmville, Virginia, Tammi Terrell collapsed into Marvin Gayes arms on stage. She was rushed to the hospital and was told that she suffered from exhaustion, later she learned that she had a malignant brain tumor.

Terrell continued to record as much as her health permitted, but often complained of migraine headaches. At the time she and Gaye were working on a duet album, "United". Due to her illness she was not able to complete the album. Marvin Gaye's voice was overdubbed with some of Terrell's solo material on several tracks.

Terrell's health continued to deteriorate as the duo was to record two more albums, "You're All I Need" and "Easy". Again, health problems would not permit her to record. She was only able to record six of the twelve songs on the album "You're All I Need". The remaining six were the result of more overdubbing. "Easy" would contain Valorie Simpson singing the female parts.

Motown, out of respect for Terrell's privacy, played her illness down, and continued business as usual and reasured the public that Ms. Terrell was doing fine, In reality, she had endured eight surgeries, had been confined to a wheel chair, suffered blindness and hair loss and had reduced to 85 pounds. On March 16, 1970 Tammi Terrell died from a malignant brain tumor at the age of 24.

Marvin Gaye struggled long and hard with the news of his partners death. He went to her funeral and sat by her casket and talked to her, hoping that she would wake up. Gaye also went on hiatus and went into self isolation for years. He did not want to sing anymore. He even tried out for the Detroit Lions hoping to get into something new and never return to singing. His next album "What's Going On" is said to have been a reaction to the death of Tammi Terrell. Gaye vowed to never replace Terrell as his partner, and he never did.

Tammi Terrell was a beautiful woman and a loving and energetic person. It has been said that she was "the life of the party" and very approachable. She was fun loving and people enjoyed her company. She was a joy at Motown picnics.

As a back up plan, Tammi was enrolled at The University of Pennsylvania were she took pre-medical courses for two years.

Terrell had been known to be involved in violent relationships. Its has been said that one of her boyfriends would have his bodyguard block the door so that no one could get in to help her as he beat her. On one occasion he hit her repeatedly over the head with a metal chair.

Being the beautiful person that she was, inside and out, there should be no surprise that she has been romantically linked with other celebrities. James Brown as mentioned earlier, but if that relationship ever happened, it was short lived due to her parents objections. She was also involved in an "on again, off again" relationship with David Ruffin of The Temptations. No violence ocurred as far as I can prove, however, in the movie "The Temptations" it is implied that they had a violent relationship. She allegedly married boxer Ernie Terrell. Despite speculation, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell never had a romantic relationship. Theirs was more of a "brother and sister" relationship. Although he cared very deeply for her, a romance never materialized and was never a consideration on either part.

Hopefully this will aide in thinking of Tammi Terrell as an individual as well as part of the most famous and talented male/female duo in history. She worked very hard as Tammy Montgomery and it is that work that made it possible for us to get a glimpse of Ms. Tammi Terrell. Although she was only with us for a very, very brief time, she left us with music that will last longer than forever!!! Thanx Tammi!!!!

Talk to you all soon!!!

WYLDFLOW3R

ethno-musicologist