The saddest tale of Motown!
Tammi’s first success came as being part of James Brown’s backing band when she was only a teenager.
At the age of 20, she signed with Berry Gordy’s Motown and would embark on a collaboration with Marvin Gaye.
Unusually, the duo had songs written for them by a songwriting team outside the hit factory, Ashford & Simpson.
Three notable songs came out of this collaboration between Terrell, Gordy, Gaye, Ashford, and Simpson: Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, and You’re All I Need To Get By.
Her career took an unexpected turn when she collapsed onstage into Marvin Gaye’s arms. Doctors discovered a brain tumor and Tammi entered treatment.
A year later, Tammi attended a Marvin Gaye concert at the Apollo theatre. Marvin was now singing with Carla Thompson instead but entered the audience for Tammi, who by now was in a wheelchair to sing You’re All I Need To Get By.
This would become her final performance as she died soon after, only 24 years old. Marvin sang the same tune at the funeral.
Tammi Terrell | Related pages
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
| Bm7/A | G#m7b5 | Gmaj7 | Em9 |
Ain’t no mountain high, ain’t no valley low, ain’t no river wide enough, baby.
| Bm7/A | G#m7b5 | Gmaj7 | Em9 |
If you need me, call me, no matter where you are, no matter how far, don’t worry, baby.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough chords.
You’re All I Need To Get By
| A | B/A |
(You’re all I need to get by) Like sweet morning dew, I took one look at you,
| Dm6/A | A |
and it was plain to see, you were my destiny.
Tammi Terrell on the web
