Teena Marie Has Died: Who Was Teena Marie

I was confident since TheIndustry.biz broke the story that my source was a good one. Several people who are close to Teena and her family have called and emailed me to confirm it’s true.  

Sorry to report this sad news the day after Christmas. Ironically, I JUST fini

The Industry Dot Biz‘ CEO Kevin Ross on Teena Marie

I’m preparing for a syndicated radio interview in the morning on the passing of Teena Marie so I’m reviewing some of my favorite material by her. I’m blasting “Midnight Magnet” on my iPod at Borders.

Without question, it is hard for me to believe I have sat at the same table as Teena Marie and had conversations with her. She was so down to earth, I almost forgot how brilliant

Then the thought went as fast as it came when I had to say “DAMN,

While black artists may not have been treated fairly during the pre Civil Rights Motown days, black music ALWAYS made an indelible impression on EVERYONE whereas white singers who sang black music were often rare and there were probably many who never made it to the limelight (or like Elvis, STOLE the limelight) because they were categorized immediately (sound familiar?).

It certainly had to be viewed as a true labor of love from other white artists who KNEW they fared better singing pop music. What I liked MOST about Teena was her amazing ability to write and then to paint an amazing picture with her lyrics. “Midnight Magnet” was one of my favorite songs by her. I am listening to is as I write this and I can’t believe how great it sounds.

A couple of my other favorite songs was “Dear Lover” Teena sang the sh… out of song and her voice melted right into the orchestration perfectly. Another favorite was “Out on a Limb” where Teena described being hopelessly in love like no one else ever has. It is ironic that I could not help but to hear how flat