By John Solomon
How the government's punishing of the exposure of official wrongdoing can linger for years
Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, Shanice Wilson and Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. are among the luminaries who honored singer Teena Marie at a private memorial service.
Investigators say an autopsy on R&B singer Teena Marie revealed no signs of trauma, but it likely will be weeks before a cause of death will be determined.
Teena Marie's last album, "Congo Square," was titled after a historical meeting place for slaves in New Orleans, featured a tribute to Martin Luther King's widow and also song "Black Cool," written for President Barack Obama.
Teena Marie, whose many classic hits included "Lovergirl," Square Biz" and the scorching duet "Fire and Desire" with mentor Rick James, was found dead in her Pasadena, Calif., home on Sunday at the age of 54. Authorities said her death appeared to be of natural causes.
A publicist says singer Teena Marie, who made history as Motown's first white act, has died at age 54.
Teena Marie, the "Ivory Queen of Soul" who developed a lasting legacy with her silky soul pipes and with hits like "Lovergirl," "Square Biz," and "Fire and Desire" with mentor Rick James, has died. She was 54.
At the end of the day you have to sing what's in your own soul," she told Essence.com in an interview last year while promoting "Congo Square."
"(Motown founder Berry) Gordy said that is was so soulful that he wanted to give the music an opportunity to stand on its own merit. Instead of my face, they put a seascape, so by the time my second album came out people were like, Lady T is White?" she told Essence.com.
