18 Fascinating Portraits of Tammi Terrell in the 1960s

Tammi Terrell (born Thomasina Winifred Montgomery, April 29, 1945 – March 16, 1970) was an American singer-songwriter best known as a Motown Records star in the 1960s, particularly for her passionate, soulful duets with Marvin Gaye.

Terrell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and showed talent early, singing in church and winning local talent contests. By her early teens, she performed in clubs and opened for acts like Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles.

She began her professional recording career around 1960 under the name Tammy Montgomery with Scepter/Wand Records, releasing singles like “If You See Bill.” She later toured with James Brown’s Revue for several months and recorded for his Try Me label, then briefly attended the University of Pennsylvania on a scholarship before focusing on music.

In 1965, she signed with Motown after being spotted by Berry Gordy. Her early solo singles for the label included “I Can’t Believe You Love Me” and “Come On and See Me,” though they had modest success. She also released the solo album Irresistible.

Terrell’s biggest fame came from her chemistry with Marvin Gaye. Starting in 1967, the duo recorded a string of classic hits written and produced largely by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, including: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame), “Your Precious Love,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” and “You’re All I Need to Get By.”

These songs defined Motown’s romantic, upbeat soul sound and became enduring standards. They released three duet albums together and scored multiple Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with strong R&B chart performance. Their partnership is often remembered for its emotional depth and vocal harmony.

Tragically, Terrell’s career was cut short. In late 1967, she collapsed on stage during a performance with Gaye. She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Over the next couple of years, she underwent eight brain surgeries, which led to severe complications including memory loss, partial paralysis, blindness, hair loss, and significant weight loss (down to about 93 pounds). She eventually went into a coma after her final surgery and died on March 16, 1970, in Philadelphia at the age of 24. Her death deeply affected Marvin Gaye, who later described it as a profound personal loss that influenced his music and outlook.

Despite her short life and career (active mainly from 1960 to 1969), Tammi Terrell left a lasting mark on soul and R&B music. Her powerful yet warm vocals and the timeless duets with Gaye continue to be celebrated and sampled. Compilations of her solo work (such as “Come On and See Me”) have highlighted that she was a talented artist in her own right beyond the duets. She is remembered as one of Motown’s brightest but most tragic stars.

See more»

Uma Thurman on Vogue Covers Throughout the Years

Uma Thurman has graced numerous Vogue covers throughout her multifaceted career, beginning as a teenage model and evolving into a celebrated actress and fashion icon.

Her modeling journey began in her teens, leading to early cover appearances in British Vogue in the mid-1980s. Her 1997 US Vogue cover coincided with her rising Hollywood fame, featuring an interview titled “Beautiful Girl” where she discussed beauty and relationships.

The November 2003 US Vogue cover, shot by Annie Leibovitz, included an in-depth feature on Thurman’s transformative year, discussing her intense training and personal growth. In July 2008, British Vogue’s “Ageless Style” issue showcased Thurman, emphasizing timeless fashion and beauty.

After a 14-year hiatus from Vogue covers, Thurman returned on Vogue España’s March 2022 issue, photographed by Tess Ayano, marking a celebrated comeback.

Vogue UK December 1985, by Patrick Demarchelier.

Vogue UK May 1986, by Patrick Demarchelier.

Vogue UK November 1990, by Michel Haddi.

Vogue UK January 1994, by Albert Watson.

Vogue Brasil September 1994.

See more»

Irene of New York: A Legacy of Manhattan Millinery

Irene of New York (born Irene Stone) was a distinguished American milliner who significantly influenced mid-20th-century fashion from the 1940s through the 1960s. Operating her boutique on East 54th Street, she became a household name for sophisticated, high-end headwear sold at luxury retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Henri Bendel.

Unlike some of her contemporaries who focused on theatrical avant-garde styles, Irene and her design partner, H. Robert Greene, were celebrated for creating “wearable” elegance. Her signature designs often featured innovative materials like ciré-finished organza and intricate details such as floral garlands and tailored silk turbans.

Her hats are still highly collectible vintage pieces, often recognizable by the “Irene of New York” label, representing a golden era of Manhattan’s custom millinery. These vintage photos showcase the incredible artistry of Irene of New York, reminding us of a time when a hat was the ultimate signature of a woman’s style and grace.

Nina de Voogt in coat that wraps closely or hangs loosely of wheat wool tweed by Ben Zuckerman, black silk organdy sailor by Irene of New York, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, February 1, 1952

Evelyn Tripp in wonderful, peau-de-soie dancing dress with a long moulded torso, in a mixture of beige and brown by Ceil Chapman, small pink satin hat by Irene of New York, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, September 15, 1954

Evelyn Tripp in Alaska Sealskin polo coat with flap pockets and low half-belt by Fredrica, ermine toque by Irene of New York, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, November 1955

Mary Jane Russell in gently tailored taupe satin suit by Ben Barrack, fitch beret by Irene of New York, jewelry by Verdura, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, September 15, 1955

Model in Anglo wool suit with a 7/8 length topcoat by Ben Zuckerman, Karakul tambourine by Irene of New York, Kislav gloves, photo by Erwin Blumenfeld, Town & Country, September 1955

See more»

Photos of Teenage Penélope Cruz on the Set of Her Debut Movie “Jamón Jamón” (1992)

Penélope Cruz was 17 years old during the filming of her feature film debut, Jamón jamón (1992). Despite the film launching her to international fame as a major sex symbol in Spain, she later revealed that the experience was emotionally devastating and that she felt completely unprepared for the movie’s explicit and sensual scenes.

Cruz has admitted she “did not handle it at all well” and was terrified that her performance, specifically her first nude scenes, would ruin her career before it truly began. On the last day of shooting, she was in tears, convinced she would never shoot another movie again.

“I remember the last day of filming; I was crying, saying, ‘What if I never shoot a movie again?’ The feeling was devastating. ‘Who knows when I will see these people again?’ Including Javier.”

The experience was so taxing that it caused a strong psychological reaction; following the film, she cut her hair short and refused to do any romantic or intimate scenes, even simple kissing, for several years.

The movie was shot in the Los Monegros Desert in Aragon, Spain — a harsh, sun-drenched landscape that mirrored the burning passions and emotional isolation of the characters. 

Despite her personal struggle, Cruz noted that the crew and her co-stars were highly respectful of her age and the challenging nature of the material. Director Bigas Luna encouraged a daring and spontaneous atmosphere on set, often letting scenes evolve naturally to capture raw, unfiltered performances.

Cruz met her future husband, Javier Bardem, on this set in 1992. While Bardem later noted their “obvious chemistry,” describing the film as a “document of our passion,” the two remained strictly colleagues and friends for 15 years before beginning a romantic relationship in 2007.

See more»

How Three Canadian Soldiers Saved an Abandoned Baby During World War II

On September 23, 1941, a British mother abandoned her newborn baby behind blackberry bushes in Horsell Common, a 355-hectare park on the outskirts of London.

Stationed in England, three Canadian soldiers (Gunner Robert C. Griffin of Regina, Saskatchewan, Lance Sergeant Ernest Curtis of Brandon Manitoba, and Gunner Alonzo J. Brackett of Terrace, British Columbia) happened to be nearby. The three members of the Royal Canadian Artillery heard a strange noise coming from the bushes and discovered the baby who was clinging to life.

They immediately cut the remaining umbilical cord with a knife, and wrapped the little girl in a white shirt. An entry in the 8th Field Regiment's war diary from that day says: “found a newborn baby in the gun area.” The baby girl was rushed to a nearby hospital, and survived.

She was later adopted by an English couple, who named her Mary, and growing up in Hertfordshire unaware of her dramatic beginnings. It wasn’t until 2018, at age 79, that Mary discovered an old photograph of the three soldiers holding a tiny baby, revealing the truth of her miraculous rescue. “Tears were rolling down my face,” said Mary. “I owe my life to them.” Her three guardian angels had already passed away, but in 2019, Mary found and got in touch with Harry Curtis, the son of Lance Sergeant Ernest Curtis.

At her home in Hertfordshire, England, Mary Crabb displays the 1941 photo featuring her as a baby, surrounded by the Canadian soldiers who saved her life.

Joan Friedman: The Golden Face of 1950s Fashion

Joan Friedman (1931–2014) was a striking figure of the mid-20th century fashion world, embodying the sophisticated allure of the 1950s modeling era. As a high-fashion model, she was frequently captured by the legendary photographers of the day like Horst P. Horst, appearing in the pages of prestigious magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

Known for her refined features, graceful poise, and the ability to carry the era’s structured silhouettes: from dramatic ballgowns to chic Dior-inspired suits, Friedman represented the transition toward a more modern, expressive style of beauty. Her work remains a classic reference point for the “Golden Age” of modeling, where elegance was an art form and every pose told a story of high-society glamour.

These vintage portraits of Joan Friedman serve as a timeless reminder of an era when fashion was defined by pure grace and effortless sophistication.

Joan Friedman modeling Almanac dress, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, April 1956

Joan Friedman in a fitted, softly molded evening dress with a line flowing into a touch of a train, in silk crêpe made to order by Mainbocher, jewelry by Verdura, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, November 15, 1956

Joan Friedman in a sheer gray wool dress with a flat lowered collar by Nantucket Naturals, white beaver felt hat wrapped in satin by Dachette, alligator belt by Lederer, photo by Roger Prigent, Vogue, November 1, 1956

Joan Friedman in black rayon-crêpe dress with a deep bare-back and draped wrap-around skirt by Ceil Chapman, shoes by Delmanette, photo by Karen Radkai, Vogue, November 1, 1956

Joan Friedman in black silk dinner dress caught high with a black silk rose and a fall of streamers by Anna Miller, black shadow-hat by Lilly Daché, photo by Richard Rutledge, Vogue, April 15, 1956

See more»

30 Wonderful Photos of Ann-Margret in the 1970s

Ann-Margret Olsson (born April 28, 1941), credited as Ann-Margret, is an American actress, dancer, and singer with a career spanning seven decades. In the 1970s, she transformed from a musical starlet into a critically acclaimed dramatic actress, while overcoming a near-fatal accident that almost ended her career.

Ann-Margret shed her “sex kitten” image with her role as Bobbie in Carnal Knowledge (1971), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. In 1975, she starred in the film adaptation of the rock opera Tommy, earning her second Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe win. She remained a staple on television specials and talk shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, where she performed high-energy dance routines.

In September 1972, Ann-Margret suffered a 22-foot fall from a platform during a performance in Lake Tahoe. She sustained a shattered jaw, a broken arm, and a crushed cheekbone. After extensive reconstructive surgery and ten weeks of recovery, she made a triumphant return to the stage in Las Vegas. She later noted that the experience helped her overcome stage fright and connect more deeply with her fans.

She was celebrated for her “retro glamour,” often seen in gowns, bold colors, and dramatic makeup that influenced 1970s fashion trends. By the late 1970s, she even entered the disco scene with hits like “Love Rush.”

See more»