Born Thomasina Winifred Montgomery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she entered the music business at the age of 13, regularly performing live. In 1961 she was signed to the fledgling Scepter Records (later Wand Records), recording under the name "Tammy Montgomery". After coming to the attention of James Brown she recorded one single a piece for Brown's own Try Me record label and, in 1964, Checker Records. The year after that, she was spotted by Berry Gordy Jr. while playing live, and signed to his Motown label. Attractive and talented, she became romantically linked with both James Brown and David Ruffin, who was in the award winning group The Temptations. Initially Terrell recorded solo, with only moderate success (she had a pair of R&B Top 30 singles in 1966, "I Can't Believe You Love Me" and "Come on and See Me") . However, from 1967 onwards she recorded a series of duets with Marvin Gaye, producing hits with Ashford & Simpson written tunes such as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "You're All I Need to Get By". However, Terrell's success was to be short-lived. On October 14, 1967, while in concert at the homecoming for Hampton University in the Tidewater region of Virginia, she collapsed in Gaye's arms. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was later diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. From then on her health deteriorated. Gaye later told his biographer David Ritz that Terrell was no longer able to record and that Valerie Simpson recorded most of the female vocals on the final Gaye/Terrell duet album, Easy. (Simpson is quoted as denying this in a book written by Terrell's sister Ludie Montgomery.) 1970: Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's Greatest Hits (posthumous) 2001: The Complete Duets (compilation of United, You're All I Need, and Easy) In remembrance of. See artist regarding commissions, or prints. Tami Terrell Wikepedia.
22 Comments
Vernonette Gaddy 03 Sep 2020
Superbly created portrait artwork Carliss of the gone too soon beautiful singer Tammi Terrell. Thank you for providing this very interesting to read biography of her.margaret mckeehan 28 Aug 2008
FANTASTIC PENCIL WORKJoanna Jungjohann 27 Aug 2008
wow, totally a seductively beautiful woman. a most outstanding work of sheer perfection!~Evelyn Simon 26 Aug 2008
This is another perfect likeness Carliss. She was Marvin's sweetheart. :o)Janet Gioffre Harrington 26 Aug 2008
that's where I was born!!! She was PURDY!!cynthia berridge 24 Aug 2008
beautiful work Carlissmonique cooper 22 Aug 2008
Very Beautiful!!!!!!.. i love that you gave a little history too.. nice touch.. excellent work Sweetie!!!Ralph Miller 20 Aug 2008
Beautiful work. And yes i remember her.debbie braswell 20 Aug 2008
GREAT WORK CARLISSGinger Lovellette 20 Aug 2008
Ah, the 60's was the greatest for hair styles, for sure! Superb, as always!Olga van Dijk 20 Aug 2008
awesome portrait!Nelly van Nieuwenhuijzen 20 Aug 2008
BRILLIANT PORTRAIT!!debbie collier 20 Aug 2008
Beautiful!!!!Loredana 20 Aug 2008
Most excellent Portrait and Info Love it :)Mrs.David Jobes(Dee) Jobes 19 Aug 2008
Masterful Pencil artistry with Your Brilliant Signature Style my Dear Friend!!!BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!,Dee&David :):)v blair 19 Aug 2008
Beautiful and informative..makes you wonder how far she would have gone if her life hadn't ended so suddenly...fantastic portrait Carliss!annette steens 19 Aug 2008
wow I love this one Carliss!! The hairstyle is great! I had that too in the beginning of the 60th! Also I love to read the information.helen tyralik 18 Aug 2008
wonderful story lovely portraitFrancis Rivera 18 Aug 2008
Very beautiful! Love it! ^_^Barry Huyett 18 Aug 2008
"Aint No Mountain High" wonderful pencil!Sharon Gonzalez 17 Aug 2008
VERY INCREDIBLE PENCIL WORK, CARLISS.Andrew Dragh 17 Aug 2008
Beautiful work, Carliss!