Early Life

Tammi Terrell was an American singer-songwriter, widely known as a star singer for Motown Records during the 1960s, notably for a series of duets with singer Marvin Gaye.

Terrell was born on April 29, 1945 in Philadelphia. She was the daughter of Jennie, née Graham, and Thomas Montgomery.

Terrell’s mother, Jennie was an actress while her father was a barbershop owner and local politician. There were rumors that Terrell’s mother was mentally ill.

Childhood Struggles

Growing up, Terrell had a terrible childhood. Her sister once recalled, she was raped by three boys at the age of 11.

She also experienced having migraine headaches at the time of the incident. Growing up, Terrell attended Germantown High School in Philadelphia.

Music Career

Terrell started her music career under Scepter Records in 1960. While with the record, she recorded the ballad “If You See Bill” under the name Tammy Montgomery, and did demos for the Shirelles.

After one more single with the record, Terrell left the record label. She briefly sang as a backup singer for Revue concert tours.

At a time, Terrell left music to return to school. She enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in pre-med, staying at the school for two years.

Although, while at school, she could sing at nightclubs. It was during one of her performances at a nightclub that she was spotted by Motown CEO Berry Gordy, who promised to sign her to Motown.

Terrell agreed and signed a contract with Motown in 1965. Two years later, She was hired to sing duets with Marvin Gaye, who had achieved duet success with Mary Wells and Kim Weston.

Together with Gaye, Terrell recorded and sang hit songs. Sadly, Terrell’s music career came to a halt when she collapsed in one of their public performances and was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Personal Life and Death

Terrell was unlucky with her relationships. She ended up finding herself in an abusive relationship almost all the time.

At the time of her death, she was engaged to Ernest “Ernie” Garrett, who was a doctor at the hospital where Terrell had been treated.

Terrell died from complications of her brain tumor. She died in 1970 at the age of 24.