Our Motown 45th Anniversary Artist Avatar of the Week brings to the spotlight. This week is Teena Marie. As I posted last week that Teena Marie was born in 1956. She grew up in Los Angeles in a town called "Venice Harlem". She was signed by Motown in 1977 and met singer and songwriter, Rick James (more on that in two weeks). Her debut album in 1979 called "Wild & Peaceful" featuring her first top 10 hit "I'm a Sucker for Your Love". Her second album "Lady-T" featuring the single "I Need Your Loving" was a huge success. Her next album "It Must Be Magic" featuring the another hit single "Square Biz", the song used as a theme to the hit TV game show, "Hollywood Squares". She also sang a duet with friend and lover, Rick James on a song called "Fire & Desire". Teena Marie was the first white artist for Motown singing R&B. Because in 1982, after her legal battle and court settlements, Teena left Motown. Until 1983, she signed with Epic records and released her first post-Motown album, "Robbery". Her 6th album for her was "Starchild" featuring her hit single "Lovergirl" in 1984. Although her next single was "Oh, La, La, La" in 1988. She left Epic in the late 80's and then moved to another label with her last album "Passion Play" in 1994. But now, after her 10-year hiadous, Teena Marie went back to the spotlight and signed to her new label, Cash Money Records and released her new album, "La Dona", featuring the assisstance of MC Lyte, Gerald Levert and of course, Rick James.

Teena Marie was born in March 1956. Ooo La La La was released in early 1988, I still have the cassette single to it from '88. Hope that helps.