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Teena Marie sings to Motown founder Berry Gordy at Motown's 50th anniversary celebration in 2007
R&B singer Teena Marie, best-known for her '80s hits "Lovergirl" and "Ooh La La," died in her sleep on Christmas night at the age of 54. Born Mary Christine Brockert, the Los Angeles native signed to Motown Records in 1976. Rick James mentored the young artist and eventually wrote much of the material for her 1979 debut album, "Wild and Peaceful"—which included no pictures of Marie, leading many listeners to assume she was black. She would go on to have numerous hits throughout the '80s, but semi-retired in the '90s to raise her daughter. She made a comeback in recent years and released her 13th album, "Congo Square," just last year. The cause of Marie's death has not been confirmed.
