TEENA MARIE: MARCH 5, 1956 - DECEMBER 26, 2010

Grammy Award-nominated singer–songwriter–producer, Teena Marie has died.  Nicknamed Lady Tee, (sometimes spelled Lady T), was a protégée of late funk legend Rick James, and was notable as one of the few successful white performers of R&B. She played rhythm guitar, keyboards and congas. She also wrote, produced, sang and arranged virtually all of her songs since her 1980 release Irons in the Fire. She said it was her favorite album. She had a daughter, Alia Rose, who, as of 2009, sang under the name Rose Le Beau. Marie died on Sunday, December 26, 2010, at home, of natural cause as announced by her manager, Mike Gardner. She was 54.