Dear Teena Marie:
I don’t think there was ever a time that I didn’t love you. It was love at first listen…. our bond was your talent, I embraced you like family. You’re death is too unbearable to process, too soon to accept, too painful my heart breaks. They are saying you were under rated, not appreciated…. I only ever knew you as the greatest of all time. You are the bar that every female vocalist falls short of… your voice is a blessing to this earth.
I remember the first time I saw you in concert…. it would be the very last time you and Rick James would perform together. I was struck by the fact that your voice transcended a studio session… your voice was bigger than the record, you were better live and in person. It doesn’t take death to make me recognize your talent… I was your faithful fan in life, and yet I feel that wasn’t enough. I purchased your albums, I attended your shows…. I wish I could have did more.
I am sure you don’t remember, but you did talk to me on Twitter…. it made my whole online experience. I screen captured it, and I will always have that memory forever. You are bigger than a legend, my kids will measure talent by your LPs.
Marvin, Luther, Tupac, and now Teena Marie… what am I going to do without you?
I Love You!
Kitty Bradshaw
@DavidDust December 27, 2010
When I heard the news last night I immediately thought of you. Our love of Teena Marie is yet something else you and I have in common.
May she forever rest in peace…
IAmLexiB December 29, 2010
It is still hard to believe.
tony January 28, 2011
Teena marie Memorial Celebration Of Life Festival and Picnic At Venice beach http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKNq6zTF05c
renee February 15, 2011
This is such a sweet letter and I feel your pain. I will always love Teena, she is much more dear to my heart than I can even express right now. Can every1 please follow our new fan page on twitter @teenamariefans XO
Bianca C. March 4, 2012
As a little girl, I remember riding through the town late nights with my aunt, listening to “Out On a Limb” on the radio, I had no clue the lady with the beautiful angelic voice was a white lady. The first Teena Marie album I purchased was La Dona (I was born in 1988), so I wasnt around during her peak. But I was hooked on her later work.
A year after her death, I still think about her everyday. When I listen to her records and think about the musical gift she possessed, my eyes just fill up with years. She was truely underrated!!! Im so glad The Lord blessed us with her. How could you not feel some type of way when you heard her voice belt out CASANOVA BROWN with pain and passion, you have no choice but to get up and dance when you hear SQUARE BIZ, WORK IT or PORTUGUESE LOVE. She proved she could make us dance and then turn around and cry when she sung WHY DID I HAVE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU and her rendition of WISHING ON A STAR. She took paying homage to an artist to a different level on MY DEAR MR. GAYE.
The love I have for Teena Marie is deep, thankfully her music and legacy will continue to live on and just maybe she will get the recognition she deserves. Until then I will continue to ride through the town bumping “CALL ME, I GOT YOUR NUMBER”
Forever in my heart, Teena Marie, Lady T, The Ivory Queen of Soul!!!