By Vickie (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 06:47 am:

Hello Everyone, this is to celebrate the wonderful life of Tammi Terrell.
This weekend marks the 33rd Anniversary of Tammi's death.
On March 16, 1970 Ms. Tammi Terrell passed away. Her music has stood the test of time for over 3 decades. She is as popular now as she was then.
I know that Tammi is dearly loved here on Soulful Detroit. I would like to hear your stories of when you heard the news of her death ....I would like to know how you felt, where you were, and how you heard that she was no longer with us....
I am ready to hear what everyone can share about this important date in music history..I think her death was a great loss to the music world and I truly feel her fans have a lot to share about their lovely songbird...I would love to know how her music makes you feel now and how her music makes an impact in your life today. She continues to inspire and touch people all these years later, for me as a writer that is truly magical..
May Tammi's music live on and fill many more hearts with joy and happiness...

I thank you for sharing....Please email me or post them here....

with love,

Vickie
TammiProject@aol.com

By Dave Case. (195.92.67.70) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 09:11 am:

TAMMI TERRELL. hit me where it hurt's most, In My Heart.
If it were possible I would of Married Her, and when she recorded "This Old Heart Of mine", I was over the Moon, sadly though, she wasn't to Live, only God Know's Why?.
She will alway's remain in my heart for ever..god Bless Her.

David from Ormskirk. UK

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.165) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 09:53 am:

David I agree with You about Dearest Tammi, and I would have fought You Brother for Her! haha - I am sure She is smiling down on us and She laft us so many great memories.

Vicki we are all right behind You on the vital project!

John

Newton-le-Willows UK

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 09:58 am:

Today is another day to thank heaven she was with us for a while. Tammi lives on in all our hearts.

By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 10:01 am:

I was surrounded by hippies at the time. I don't know how that happened, but I know I cried. Nobody conveyed the joy of love the way she did - and still does through the legacy of her recorded work. She lives on through that and will come back to us all through Vicki and Ludie's project.

By Promises Kept (12.227.139.195) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 11:28 am:

I love stories about "real troopers".....does anyone have a story about Tammi's last times in the studio during her illness? Is there a tune someone can identify where "she sounds great, but was clearly ill at this time". I read once where Tammi was recorded from her hospital bed to help finish up a recording she had started. I don't mean for this question to sound "morbid", but just appreciate the "carry on" nature that many talented people have til the very end.......thanks in advance!

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 01:09 pm:

Great job on that picture Ritchie.

By 1wicked (66.80.176.194) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 03:10 pm:

I guess I was about 14-15 at the time....and I cried. I thought she was one of the most naturally attractive women on the face of the earth and her voice was just so melodic...a voice I kinda "became one" with. Her voice touched me in a way no singer had before. Yeah...I had a serious crush on Tammi too. Oh...I mentioned a girl I had a "thing" for in elementary and Jr. High in a previous thread...a Debra "C". Well...I was always kinda shy & never really wanted to dance at our mid-day "socials"....but Tammi's duets with Marvin made me dance with Deb. Tammi's voice, the words they sang being the same words I wanted Deb to hear, and the unbelievable chemistry she had with Marvin (that I hoped we would have) made those moments so very special...and vivid all these years later. I miss Tammi.

By john dixon (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 06:24 pm:

I was knocked out by Tammi's cut on "A Cellarful Of Motown". The song, "All I Do", was written by Stevie Wonder and is a fairly sophisticated slice of soul/pop for its time (1965); quite a remarkable composition for a 15 year old. Stevie went on to recut it 15 years later on his "Hotter Than July" LP.
But Tammi's version is just gorgeous and should have been released as a single.

By Greg C. (209.71.79.171) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 06:36 pm:

I was getting ready for school that morning and I heard the announcement over the radio that she had passed. I was devastated. I knew she had been ill with the tumor, yet I felt she was going to beat it. I also kept thinking also how young she was and how her family must have felt.

I flashed back to December 1965 when she first came on the "Swingin' Time" dance show in Detroit and performed her first Motown single, "I Can't Believe You Love Me." She had a pushed up bouffant hairstyle, a baby doll blouse, and tight hip-hugger jeans which was the style at the time. I remember thinking "Wow! She's hot!"

My favorite Tammi Terrell recording wasn't a popular one but I loved it just the same, "Hold Me Oh My Darling" the "B" side of "I Can't Believe You Love Me."

By Vickie (198.81.27.10) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 12:33 pm:

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I feel Tammi the same way everyone else does, it's an inspiration to hear your stories and thoughts about her...
I will make sure Ludie gets to read all of this..

Vickie

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 12:46 pm:

33 YEARS,GOOD GRIEF I'M GETTING OLD.WHENEVER I HEAR TAMMI'S VOICE WHICH IS ALMOST EVERYDAY I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE SHE'S GONE,THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL GONE TOO SOON.

By TonyRussi (68.18.230.25) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 12:55 pm:

I was traveling with Mary Wells & Cecil Womack to a gig in Selma, Al. when we heard and we didn't say anything for awhile.That night Mary told the audiance at the Elks Lodge(I think) in Selma to remember Tammi's "pretty Valentine" face and her beautiful voice.

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 06:38 pm:

Being a little young and not understanding Motown that much in those days, I was unfamiliar with much about soul music from the States. However, I guess by 1972, Detroit was knocking at my door and thankfully, I let her in! I started to become aware of the Motown greats after sneaking into the disco's underage, with my two-tone Oxford bags on. I would then hear the multitude of classics that had established themselves in the clubs.

Shock number one: Edwin Starr/S.O.S. Could not belive my ears and on Polydor. What was this music?

Shock number two : The Isley Bros/This old heart. What is this music?

Shock number three: This old heart/ Donnie Elbert. Cover of above. Had to investigate further!!

Shock number four: This old heart/Tammi Terrell. I bought the other versions and then saw this for sale at 'Soulscene' in Telford for 35p. I bought it and fell in love with dear Tammi, before I knew she had sung with Marvin. I was converted from reggae to soul in the space of 2 weeks and started one of the best journeys of my life. An ambition to learn much about Motown.

Shock number five: Last year I stumbled across SoulfulDetroit, after searching in Google, for 'Al Kent'. I found others interested in the same things as me. I now I have booked my tickets to visit Detroit in May to pay my respects again, to those great people involved with making my life have a soul.

Vickie, can Ludie sing at all??

By Vickie (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 03:47 am:

Hey Carl, I think she used to sing in her choir, I'll ask her...Carl your posts are always a great read....

Vickie

By MotownForever (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 08:32 am:

In the words of Mrs. Powell regarding Tammi...

"Tammi was a delight and she had what I would call a natural poise on stage" (from "Calling Out Around The World, A Motown Reader").

By Common (209.2.55.171) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 08:38 am:

((((((((((((Thomasina "Tammi" Terrell))))))))))))

R.I.P "Precious Love"

Peace!

By Michael Cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 12:37 pm:

I dearly loved this woman. There was something about her voice that embodied love, sassiness, sadness, and sexuality. I still play Marvin/Tammi's "If This World Were Mine." It would have been wonderful to see where her career would have gone had she lived. There were rumors before she died that she would take over lead of the Supremes. I love the other Terrell but think of that possibility... No matter, she has left us with a wonderful legacy and I hope that Suzanne DePasse continues with the preparations for doing a film of the tantalizing Tammi's life.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 02:05 pm:

Michael - and as the years go on, she becomes more of an icon in musical terms. With the release of the rarer cuts she did, being available now, it is as though she has never left us and still has a few tricks up her sleeve to present us with!

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 06:22 pm:

There was something about her voice that embodied love, sassiness, sadness, and sexuality.

yep Michael that was her...


PS: Suzanne didn't spell Tammi's name correct in the movie credits for the Temps movie..I did not agreee with how that film portrayed Tammi.

By Sly fan (67.119.52.232) on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 06:34 pm:

Vickie: I totally agree with all of the above.

It was like Ms. Terrell was
an angel on earth. I felt that same quality from Minnie Riperton and Aalliyah as well.

may their souls rest.