My Sister Tommie - The Real Tammi Terrell [Hardcover]

Ludie Montgomery (Author), Vickie Wright (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Bank House Books (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904408168
• ISBN-13: 978-1904408161
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #505,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tammi's Story If Told, August 19, 2005

By 

Rick A. Bueche (New Orleans, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Sister Tommie - The Real Tammi Terrell (Hardcover)

TAMMI TELL ME TRUE:
Tammi Terrell Biography A Must Have

By Rick A. Bueche

Tammi Terrell! Her name alone conjures up two distinct images. One, the velvet-voiced songstress who rode to international success via a string of duets with Marvin Gaye. The second being a tragic figure who, reportedly, was beaten and abused by her paramours and died tragically - years before she ever reached her zenith as an entertainer.

With the help of writer Vicki Wright, Tammi Terrell's only remaining immediate relative, sister Ludie Montgomery, channels (of sorts) the fallen songstress into finally laying to rest the rumors and innuendo. In their book, "My Sister Tommie," Wright and Montgomery bring Tammi vividly back to life through rare photos, interviews and family recollections to finally address the many issues about the short lifetime of one of pop's most celebrated, and elusive, female vocalists.

And the book is ripe with surprises and revelations.

Born Thomasina Montgomery in 1945, and pre-dating her sister by several years, the Montgomery sisters were raised in Philadelphia. Unlike many of her Motown peers, Tammi was born to parents who had achieved a level of financial success that gave their only daughters a level of comfort and opportunity. Tammi began performing barely into her teenage years and had achieved a small but loyal following before she signed with Motown in the mid-1960s.

Upon arriving at Motown, Tammi's star quickly began to rise. When she teamed with Marvin Gaye and they were paired with Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, a hit formula rivaling that of the Supremes with Holland-Dozier-Holland and the Temptations with Smokey Robinson was quickly established. Between 1967 and 1970, Marvin and Tammi sold in excess of ten million singles and albums, and developed a body of work that has stood the test of time. Classic hits like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough and " Your Precious Love" have not only achieved worldwide recognition but have been covered by some of the biggest names in the recording industry. They remain among the most popular offerings of the Jobete catalog.

Yet Tammi Terrell seemingly enjoyed little of this massive success. Struck down by a deadly brain tumor shortly into this run of hits, Tammi died quietly on March 16, 1970. News of her death at the tender age of 24 shocked her loyal fans as well as her singing partner who went into years of performing exile as he dealt with her mortality.

Ludie Montgomery reflects on her sister in somewhat of a detached manner, and is successful in not portraying Tammi as a victim to anything other than fate. Tammi's love affairs are dealt with honestly as was her rebellious nature. This was a woman who was clearly ahead of her time not only in talent, but in business sense as well as internal fortitude. She forged on despite declining health and a negative prognosis to record more classic hits such as "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" and "You're All I Need To Get By." Few of Tammi's friends, and none of her fans knew of the gravity of her situation when these gems were recorded in 1968.

The most appreciable aspect of this book is the laying to rest of the actual nature of Tammi's illness, long blamed on beatings at the hand of one or more male soul icons. In truth, Tammi Terrell began experiencing health issues that led to her demise just as she was entering her teen years. Her mother dealt with similar circumstances and it seems to be a health problem that ran in the family. Like many cancers, had it been detected earlier, perhaps there may have been more time. But after reading her sisters touching accounts, it is evident that Tammi Terrell was destined to be a pop martyr.

The book is issued in the U.K. by Bank House books. The book flows chronologically with input from family members and some of Tammi's contemporaries. The asking price may seem steep, but the photos included are worth the money alone. We have Tammi as a child, an endearing photo of Tammi as a cheerleader and numerous stage shots.

But the most poignant photo is an ailing Tammi, replete with surgical cap to hide her head scars, embracing her newborn nephew and smiling broadly into the camera. Even in moments of happiness like these, Tammi's eyes, deep-set and circled, reveal the seriousness of her illness. Another photo of Tammi basking in the warm tropical sun just weeks before her death also tugs at the heart.

Kudos to Ludi and Vickie for finally revealing the nature of Tammi's relationships with James Brown and David Ruffin, and ending the long-believed fable that Tammi got her name from a marriage to a heavyweight champion. Ludi is also successful in sharing her sisters story without using the book as a vehicle for personal gratification. While Ms. Montgomery does share her correlations to various parts of Tammi's short life, this was clearly a labor of love on behalf of her famous, and sometimes maligned sister; a putting-to-rest of long-held misconceptions. Upon completing the read, and seeing the funeral photos and clippings, one comes away feeling that perhaps now Tammi Terrell can truly rest at peace.

There is one aspect the book does not delve into. What would have happened to Tammi Terrell had she lived? Likely, she had reached her plateau at Motown shortly before her passing. Tammi was wise enough to know that there was only one queen at the company, and this crown would never have been hers. She likely would have gone to another label, as so many classic Motown artists did in the early 1970s, and could have matched the solo success of the other soul sirens of her era. She was a contender; and everybody knew it.

"My Sister Tommie" is available at Amazon.com. This is a must-read!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An okay read, December 8, 2006

By 

Y. Devereaux "Tripp" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Sister Tommie - The Real Tammi Terrell (Hardcover)

I love the fact that Ludie wanted to tell the truth about her sister, Tommie, but I found that Ludie only really knew Tammi as a child and only provided tidbits about her adult life. She appears to have known about as much of Tammi's adult life as I knew. I really didnt find any new information as her singing career blossomed. Everyone today knows that abuse does not cause brain tumors. When I read about her illness and her mom's illness it touched me deeply. I appreciate Ludies's efforts but I did find her being evasive on some issues. My true frustration comes from the double talk. I found myself skipping pages because I was reading the same thing over and over and over again.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally Tammi revealed!, June 21, 2005

By 

Keith Summers (Columbia, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Sister Tommie - The Real Tammi Terrell (Hardcover)

I had the opportunity of attending the booksigning in Philadelphia on June 16, which was declared "Tammi Terrell Day". I had received this book in the mail two days prior and read it voraciously. Honestly, this is the BEST tribute to an entertainer that I've read. God bless Ludie and Vickie for sharing the good, bad and sometimes ugly events that shaped Tammi's short life. Her life may have been short, but Tammi truly left behind a remarkable legacy. This is a book about courage and determination in achieving personal goals and overcoming the sometimes impossible events that we as individuals face in our lives. Tammi is an example to follow and this book clears up the rumors and falsehoods that have been repeated in previous books about Motown and the music business.

I became a serious fan back in '76 as a 10 year old, when I heard my first Tammi solo recording "I Can't Believe You Love Me". I was already familiar with the work that she and Marvin Gaye did, but something about Tammi's voice grabbed me and stays with me today (I'm 38). There will never be another Tammi and after reading this phenomenal book, you will agree with me. Thank you Ludie and Vickie for your efforts. Give this book to your friends and family members. I already have.

In closing, Ludie you are a sweet and wonderful lady. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to meet you. Vickie, thank you for your friendship. You are a beautiful person. I will never forget our conversation as long as I live. I love you both.