Tribute: Tammi Terrell

Tammi Terrell sang with a ferocity and joy belying her youth and personal tragedies. A soulful and energetic singer, she suffered abusive relationships and a devastating medical diagnosis before her death at the tender age of 24. How she endured these struggles and was still able to leave us with such stirring and uplifting music, is her legacy.

Tammi Terrell was born Thomasina Winifred Montgomery on 29 April 1945 in Philadelphia. According to her sister, Ludie, Tammi was raped by three boys when she was 11. Around this time, she began suffering migraines. In 1960, Tammi, under the name Tammy Montgomery, recorded the song, "If I See You Bill", and she completed some demos for The Shirelles (known for the hits "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", "Mama Said" and "Soldier Boy"). Tammi eventually signed a contract with James Brown. She recorded the song "I Cried", which became her first single to enter the charts (at #99).

The 17-year-old Terrell became romantically involved with Brown, who was 29. Brown was abusive to the point where Terrell would end up bloody. One evening in 1963, Tammi left Brown. He had attacked her because she had not watched that night's entire performance. Bobby Bennett, a member of Brown's original R&B group, the Famous Flames, was quoted, "He beat Tammi Terrell terrible. She was bleeding, shedding blood. Tammi left him because she didn't want her butt whipped."

After a few more attempts at charting a single, Terrell enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania, as a pre-med major. While still attending school, she began touring with Jerry Butler. During a performance at the Twenty Grand Club in Detroit, Terrell attracted the attention of Motown Records CEO, Berry Gordy. Gordy offered her a contract and on 29 April 1965, she signed with the label. It was her 20th birthday.

Terrell released two singles, "I Can't Believe You Love Me" and "Come On and See Me". She joined the Motown Revue, opening for The Temptations. Tammi began a tempestuous relationship with Temptation, David Ruffin. Terrell accepted a proposal of marriage from Ruffin and announced their engagement on stage. It was then that she discovered that he was already married - with three children and another girlfriend in Detroit. This betrayal, and Ruffin's drug use, fueled violent arguments between the couple. Tammi complained of headaches after their altercations. She ended their relationship when he struck her in the head with a motorcycle helmet.

In 1967, Tammi was selected to sing duets with Marvin Gaye, who, in addition to having an established solo career, had already found success singing with Mary Wells and Kim Weston. (You can visit Marvin Gaye's Tribute here.) Terrell and Gaye would achieve success with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (#19 on the Billboard Hot 100; #3 on the R&B charts), "Your Precious Love" (#5 on the Hot 100;#2 on the R&B chart), and "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You" (#10 on the Hot 100; #2 on the R&B chart). "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" would be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

Terrell and Gaye had a wonderful professional and personal relationship. Their musical partnership was producing hit after hit, and by all accounts, Gaye developed an affection and respect for Terrell akin to brotherly love. Unfortunately, Tammi's frequent headaches were turning into something far more sinister. On 14 October 1967, while performing "Your Precious Love" with Gaye in Farmville, Virginia, Tammi collapsed into Marvin's arms. She was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered that she had a malignant brain tumor. No longer able to perform live, Terrell continued to record. Gaye was apparently devastated by Terrell's diagnosis. In 1968 the duo's recording of "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Soul Singles chart. Also in 1968, "You're All I Need to Get By" reached #7 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.

Tammi became engaged to Dr. Ernest "Ernie" Garrett, who worked at the hospital where she was being treated for cancer. Despite several surgeries, Terrell's prognosis only worsened. Her final public appearance was in 1969, when she attended a performance by Marvin Gaye at the Apollo Theater. Gaye noticed Terrell and ran to her, and they sang "You're All I Need to Get By". They were given a standing ovation.

By 1970, the complications from the cancer confined Terrell to a wheelchair. She suffered blindness, hair loss and significant weight loss. After her eighth and final surgery, she fell into a coma. She died on 16 March 1970 at the age of 24. According to her fiancé, Tammi's mother banned anyone associated with Motown from her funeral, except for Marvin Gaye. Supposedly, her mother felt Motown had contributed to her daughter's fatal condition, and the label did little to protect her from situations such as her abusive relationship with David Ruffin. Marvin Gaye delivered Tammi's final eulogy while "You're All I Need to Get By" played in the background. According to many, Tammi's death affected Gaye so profoundly that they believed it contributed to his later substance abuse and reckless behavior (which, in turn, may have factored into his death). Tammi is interred in Mount Lawn Cemetery in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania.