It often seems that every Christmas holiday season, another legend passes away. Today on Dec 26, 2010, Los Angeles area born and raised Teena Marie died - in her sleep - at only 54 years old.

She was one of the rare white performers whose career specialized in R & B music. When she signed with Motown records in 1976, many radio programmers thought she was African American when they first heard her tunes. But she was raised by her family on soul songs, and she shined on what radio and entertainment people dubbed "The Fire and Desire" era of the early 80's.

The four time Grammy Nominee who attended Venice High School here in Southern California was also a child actress with a role in the hit TV show "The Beverly Hillbillies". She originally auditioned for the legendary Mowtown producer Barry Gordy, she then was "discovered" - and mentored - by the legendary funk artist Rick James. She also had a long standing on and off again romance with the Motown Star.

Teena Marie - A singer, songwriter, and producer, had her biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1984, charting at No 4 with "Lovergirl".

The world of R & B will never be quite the same. I'm sure she has joined her brothers and sisters in Rock N Roll Heaven.