Best known as one of the most successful white performers of R&B, Teena Marie died on Sunday at her home. She was 54. The death was announced by her manager Mike Gardner and no further details are known as yet.
Marie, born Mary Christine Brocket was a protégée of funk legend Rick James. As a child, Teena starred in the sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies but gained real fame as a label artist when she signed Motown Records in 1976.
