Customer Reviews

My Sister Tommie - The Real Tammi Terrell

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

I became a fan of Tammi Terrell in the mid-1990s after hearing her duets with Marvin Gaye on the radio. Before the decade closed, I became curious about what T might have sung solo. Once I heard solo songs like "What A Good Man He Is," I was hooked. In 1998 I learned she had a sister named Ludie; that summer I learned that L was working on a biography of T. But progress stalled until 2001, when Los Angeles-based co-author Vickie Wright entered the picture. Over the next 4 years the 2 women would compile a true story about T to debunk various false rumors that had circulated over the past 30+ years. For example, instead of ever having known (much less been married to) boxer Ernie Terrell, T was engaged during the last year of her life to one Dr. Ernest Garrett. I had never even heard of Garrett until reading this book; it just goes to show how a little information often can breed a lot of misinformation. The book also confirms what I had long suspected--that T suffered domestic violence at the hands of boyfriends James Brown & David Ruffin. Yet T forgave both men once the relationships were long over; so did L many years after T's death. L does not sugarcoat the unpleasant events in T's life, yet has no axes to grind against anyone. But for all the questions her book answers, it does raise a new one: if T really did record with M for the sessions of their final duet album in 1969 (as L quotes songwriter-producers Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson as saying), then why did M allege to his own biographer, David Ritz, just before his own death in 1984, that Simpson substituted for T on the female vocals because T was too ill to record any further? Could M have had an ax to grind against Motown & its founder Berry Gordy? Oh well, kudos to L for sharing her sister's true story, that her fans might see the light.

So many rumors have been stated about the cause of Tammi's headaches and her brain tumor and this book puts all of those rumors to rest. I, for one never knew that Tammi was engaged to a doctor at the time of her death, which in my book was just too soon!! My favorite song by Tammi is I CAN'T BELIVE YOU LOVE ME and Johnny Bristol is in the background. I belive that if Tammi hadn't of passed away--she could have taken Diana Ross's place in the Supremes--she was just that talented. I am so grateful to Ludie and Vicki and I wish they would do a book on Claudette Robinson of the Miracles--another great lady and quite a songstress herself. I know they will tell the REAL story!!!!

This book tells the true story of Motown's beauty Tammi Terrell and follows her through her childhood, adulthood, and untimely death. It's written in a way that you feel that the authors aren't hiding anything but are informing us of this young lady. It also features interviews with the great Ashford & Simpson, family and friends and many more.

At a very young age Tammi new what she wanted and made it happen. Tammi isn't portrayed as a good or bad person, just Thomasina Montgomery as she really was.

5+++ stars!!!

My sister Tommie was an interesting summer read for me. I have heard Tammie Terrells music as a kid growing up in Mt.Airy and had heard some of the older neighborhood ladies talking of her from their experiences of knowing her or seeing her at the uptown theatre back in the day. I felt the book was written from supressed bitter sweet memories from the author and unfortunately did not go deep enough or give the reader enough depth about Ms.Terrell to completely keep someone not from that era interested in reading any further material about Ms. Terrell. I think this book was good for the author, Ms.Ludie, for a continuing process of healing. I wish her continued blessings.

Finally, an honest and truthful book on the late great Tammi Terrell. I throughly enjoyed this book - especially since it was written by Tammi Terrell's sister, Ludie. Definitely well written and from the heart. The many, many Tammi fans will undoubtly enjoy this book as well. I particulary enjoyed the chapters that focused on her Motown days with writers & arrangers "Ashford & Simpson" (yes, they still have the Golden Touch!). I often listen to Tammi's music and it's still as fresh as if it were written yesterday - Timeless. What a sweet voice. A sincere thank you to both authors for all your hard work that made this book happen.

I am a South Jersey native (high school class of 1971) and a devoted fan of Tammi Terrell. I've purchased many CDs of her solo and duet recordings, and love her voice. That said, I must now say that I have no idea how the publisher of this book (Bank House Books) let this volume be published in this sad shape. Almost every page is rife with the most basic spelling and grammar errors. For example, the name of Jerry Blavat, a Philadelphia/South Jersey rock and roll legend of TV and radio, is misspelled on page 121. On page 24, the name of Crispus Attucks, a black Revolutionary war hero, is spelled "Cripus Attacks." Throughout the book, there is more of the same: random capitalizations, fragmented sentences, and misspellings. The publisher should be ashamed, and the lovely Miss Tammi Terrell certainly deserves a better tribute than this third-rate book.

A must have for Motown and Tammi Terrell fans. This is truly a heart felt book by one who knew her just as well if not more than those closest to her from the Motown hay days. Again, buy this book and see for yourself that this book will not make you more sympathetic as well as empathetic to all of Motown earlier artists. Also, for whom the story is told; it will enlighten you as well and leave you to come up with your own conclusions as to what really caused the demise of one Motown's gifted voices.