![]() It led to an audition for a film about orphans that was being developed by Motown. In 1976, Brockert (as the lead singer of a band she had assembled, which included long-time friend Mickey Boyce) gained an introduction to Motown Records staff producer Hal Davis (best known for his work with Brenda Holloway and the Jackson 5). Following graduation, Brockert juggled auditioning for various record companies with studying English literature at Santa Monica College. She also fronted a local Venice rock band "Truvair" in 1974–1975 the band's members were her high school classmates. While attending Venice High School, Brockert joined the Summer Dance Production and was the female lead in the school's production of The Music Man. There, she acquired a strong spiritual influence from neighborhood matriarch Berthalynn Jackson, a black woman who became her godmother. In the early 1970s, after the family moved to Venice, California, Brockert spent her adolescent years in the historically black Venice enclave of Oakwood, nicknamed "Venice Harlem". She formed a semi-professional R&B band with her younger brother Anthony and their cousin. She later taught herself the guitar, bass, and congas. When she was eight years old, her parents began sending Teena on auditions which, among other things, netted her an acting role on The Beverly Hillbillies, credited as Tina Marie Brockert. She took to singing naturally, performing Harry Belafonte's " Banana Boat Song" by age 2. ![]() In 2005, while visiting Louisiana, she discovered that her paternal ancestors once lived in New Orleans. She said that her ethnic heritage was Belgian, Portuguese, Italian, Irish, and Native American. She spent her early childhood in Mission Hills, California. Mary Christine Brockert was born on Main Santa Monica, California, the daughter of construction worker Thomas Leslie Brockert and home renovator Mary Anne. Life and career 1956–1978: Early life and career beginnings Teena Marie was a four-time Grammy Award nominee, winning one posthumously in 2023, as a credited songwriter (as Mary Christine Brockert) on Beyoncé's hit song " Cuff It". She played rhythm guitar, keyboards, and congas. Her success in R&B and soul music, and loyalty to these genres earned her the title Ivory Queen of Soul. She was known for her distinctive soprano vocals, which caused many listeners to believe she was black. She was known by her childhood nickname Tina before taking the stage name Teena Marie and later acquired the nickname Lady T, given to her by her collaborator and friend Rick James. Mary Christine Brockert (Ma– December 26, 2010), known professionally as Teena Marie, was an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, musician, composer, and producer.
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