Music
Tammi Terrell
1945–1970 · singer
Philadelphia-born Motown singer, discovered by Berry Gordy at Detroit's 20 Grand, whose duets with Marvin Gaye include "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".
- Born
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- Died
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
aged 24- Birth name
- Thomasina Winifred Montgomery
- Detroit years
- 1965–1969
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Terrell was touring with Jerry Butler in April 1965 when Berry Gordy saw her perform at the 20 Grand, the big nightclub at 14th Street and Warren Avenue, and offered her a contract; she signed with Motown on her 20th birthday. After her first singles she joined the Motortown Revue, opening for the Temptations and the Miracles. In 1967 Motown paired her with Marvin Gaye, and the duo produced seven Top 40 hits, among them "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Your Precious Love", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "You're All I Need to Get By", the last recorded at the Hitsville studio after her first brain surgery. A brain tumor ended her performing career in 1969, and she died in Philadelphia the next year, aged 24.
Highlights
- Signed to Motown in 1965 after Berry Gordy saw her at the 20 Grand
- Seven Top 40 duets with Marvin Gaye
- "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999
- Only solo album: Irresistible (1969)
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Performed here · 1965
The 20 Grand
Demolished
Berry Gordy saw her sing here with Jerry Butler in April 1965 and signed her. The club is gone; the site is a grass lot.
Recorded here · 1965–1969
Motown Museum
She recorded her Motown singles and duets with Marvin Gaye at the Hitsville studio.