Historical Figure
Marvin Gaye
d. 1984
American singer and songwriter (1939–1984)
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Biography
Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr. was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. Commonly referred to as the "Prince of Motown" and "Prince of Soul", he helped to shape the sound of Motown and soul music in the 1960s. A cultural icon, Gaye is often considered one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time.
In Their Own Words (5)
Hey baby, what'cha know good?I'm just gettin' back, but you knew I would.War is hell, when will it end?When will people start gettin' together again?
What's Happening Brother, co-written with James Nyx, Jr. , 1971
Won't you rather make love, childrenAs opposed to war, like you know you should?
''Keep Gettin' It On, co-written with Ed Townsend. , 1973
Mother, mother There's too many of you crying. Brother, brother, brother There's far too many of you dying. You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin' here today.
What's Going On, co-written with Al Cleveland, and Renaldo "Obie" Benson. , 1971
By the look in your eye I can tell you're gonna cry.Is it over me?If it is, save your tearsFor I'm not worth it, you see.For I'm the type of boy who is always on the roam,Wherever I lay my hat that's my home,I'm telling you that's my home.
Wherever I Lay My Hat, co-written with Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield. , 1962
I've been really tryin, babyTryin to hold back these feelings for so longAnd if you feel, like I feel babyCome on, oh come on,Let's get it on.
Let's Get It On, co-written with Ed Townsend , 1973
Timeline
The story of Marvin Gaye, told in moments.
Born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. in Washington, D.C. His father was a Pentecostal minister who beat him regularly. The boy sang in church from age three. He added the 'e' to his last name later, partly to distance himself from his father.
Signs with Motown. Berry Gordy's label. He wants to be a jazz singer. Gordy makes him sing pop. He fights it, then stops fighting. 'How Sweet It Is' hits number one. He marries Gordy's sister Anna, who's 17 years older.
Releases What's Going On. Motown doesn't want it. Too political. Too experimental. He records it anyway and refuses to deliver anything else until they release it. It sells two million copies in weeks. War. Poverty. Ecology. The whole album plays like a single conversation.
Living in Belgium, broke, addicted to cocaine. He records 'Sexual Healing' in a Belgian studio. It wins two Grammys. His comeback is real. But so is the paranoia. He keeps a gun and paces his room at night.
Shot twice by his own father in the family home on Gramercy Place in Los Angeles. The day before his 45th birthday. The argument had been building for years. His father uses a gun Marvin gave him four months earlier. Marvin Gay Sr. pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Brain tumor, the defense says.
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