...Teena Marie

Sad news, Teena Marie has died at the age of 54. She died Sunday, the day after Christmas. She recently battled an addiction to prescription pills. After her friend and former lover Rick James died in 2004. His death shook her so she said she became addicted to Vicodin, which she had been taking for pain, for about a year. Hopefully this was not an overdose. Teena's influence paved the way for other acts such as Joss Stone, Adele, Amy Winehouse, etc. At the time it was semi rare for a White woman to have such a soulful voice. She created wonderful music, most of which was with the legendary Motown label. She will be missed by the music industry for sure. I am giving this death a Digit Down.