music *ping*
One of the most beautiful songs ever made.
Two clean-cut people really truly expressing actual devotion for each other. Not one selfish lyric in the whole thing.
While Terrell was finally being established as a star, the migraines and headaches she had suffered from childhood were becoming more constant. While she complained of pains, she insisted to people close to her that she was well enough to perform. However, on October 14, 1967, while performing with Gaye at Hampden-Sydney College,[5] just outside the town of Farmville, Virginia, Terrell fell onstage; Gaye quickly responded by grabbing her by the arms and helping her offstage. Shortly after returning from Virginia, doctors diagnosed a malignant tumor on the right side of her brain.
After recovering from her first surgery, Terrell returned to Hitsville studios in Detroit and recorded “You’re All I Need to Get By”. Both that song and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing”, reached No. 1 on the R&B charts.
Despite Terrell’s optimism, her tumor worsened requiring more surgeries. By 1969, Terrell had retired from live performances as she had been ordered by doctors not to perform due to her tumors. Motown issued Terrell’s first and only solo album, Irresistible, in early 1969. Terrell was too ill to promote the recordings. There was no new repertoire on the album: all tracks had been recorded earlier and had subsequently been shelved for some time.
Both Marvin Gaye and Valerie Simpson gave different stories on how the production of Terrell’s and Gaye’s third album together, Easy, went about. According to reports, Terrell had gotten so ill from her operations that she could not record, and Motown opted to have Valerie Simpson sub in for Terrell, a report that was repeated in the book Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On and the Last Days of the Motown Sound. Gaye would later say the move was “another moneymaking scheme on BG’s part”.[8] Valerie Simpson, on the other hand, stated that the ailing Terrell was brought into the studio when she was strong enough to record over Simpson’s guide vocals, insisting Terrell had sung on the album.[9] Easy produced the singles “Good Lovin’ Ain’t Easy to Come By”, “What You Gave Me”, “California Soul” and the UK top ten hit, “The Onion Song”. Late in 1969, Terrell made her final public appearance at the Apollo Theater where Marvin Gaye was performing. As soon as Terrell was spotted by Gaye, he rushed to her side and the duo began singing “You’re All I Need to Get By” together. They were given an ovation by the public.
A generation’s version of ‘Sonny and Cher’ without the snark and with two persons who cared for the other. Still remember when Tammi collapsed in Marvin’s arms, even though it was never actually witnessed. A sparkling duo...stars.
Being a 60's teenager, I used to drive my friends crazy for my love of R&B and also The Rolling Stones. They couldn't figure out why I didn't care for early Beatles (bubblegum). I even would play my Mother's Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith jazz albums when they stopped by. That was the end of those visits - ha!