Song:Two Can Have A Party
Album:The Essential Collection
Most music fans should be familiar with Tammi Terrell for her classic duets with Marvin Gaye and her tragic death from a brain tumour at age 24. But she did record solo and you can get all her solo recordings on this budget comp. Tammi recorded Two Can Have A Party solo and as a duet with Gaye. Tammi Terrell was not a product of the Motown factory. She was born Thomasina Montgomery Apr. 29, 1945 in Philadelphia. Her nickname was Tammy after she saw the film Tammy and the Bachelor. She signed with Scepter Records producer Luther Dixon at age 15 and released several unsuccessful singles as Tammy Montgomery. She recorded some duets with Chuck Jackson but they weren't released at the time. Tammy also recorded for James Brown's Try Me Records and Checker Records. She returned to school and was taking pre-med at the University of Pennsylvania when Jerry Butler asked her to tour with him and she would return to school. While on tour in Detroit, Motown owner Berry Gordy spotted her and signed her. But he changed her name to Tammi Terrell because he thought Montgomery was too long. Two Can Have A Party was one of several unsuccessful singles written and produced for Tammi by veteran producers Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol. In 1967, Tammi first recorded with Marvin Gaye after Kim Weston left Motown. Of course they were very successful until Tammi collapsed while performing. She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. She couldn't perform anymore but Tammi still recorded. At times when she was too sick to record, Valerie Simpson filled in as Gaye's duet partner. She did record the 1969 solo album Irresistible. But Tammi got worse and died on Mar. 16, 1970 at age 24. She was a great singer and it was sad that she died so young. Here's a video for Two Can Have A Party by Tammi Terrell.
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