Lenny Kravitz Posts Tribute Video to Teena Marie
Lenny Kravitz: “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Teena”
Teena Marie’s passing sent a load of shockwaves across the world. It was the news no one expected. While in Paris, a somber Lenny Kravitz reacted to her unfortunate passing by posting a video via YouTube, dressed in a black hoodie, and stated that he “wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Teena.”
“She took me in when I was around 16,” he says. “I was just a musician on the street. I was living from pillar to post…She took care of me. She gave me instruments to play. She nurtured me and helped me to become who I am.”
He continues, in detail, about his special bond with the late R&B singer:
“I’ve never really talked much about it in depth. She changed my life, not only as an artist but as a person, who truly loved me for who I was.”
Marie, coined the “Ivory Queen of Soul” by many and best remembered as a protege of funk legend Rick James, was best known for her No. 4 pop hit “Lovergirl” and for recording a number of R&B Top 20 hits including “I Need Your Lovin’,” “Behind the Groove,” “Square Biz,” “I’m a Sukcer for Your Love” and “Ohh La La La.” She was found dead on Sunday, after Christmas, at the age of 54. Dozens of musical artists including ?uestlove, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Diddy, Snoop Dogg and Shelia E. pours out their respects to Marie on their personal Twitter accounts.
Kravtiz, who can be heard on the recent Michael Jackson posthumous release Michael performing “(I Can’t Make It) Another Day,” learned of Marie’s passing after waking up in Paris on Dec. 27. In the video, Kravitz admits that he had not been in contact with Marie in the last few years, but closes out the video with a special benediction: “I will always love and respect you. Thank you for being my friend.”
Tweets of the Weeks: Stars Remember Teena Marie (Billboard)
Teena Marie, R&B Singer, Dies
