Marvin Gaye
“The soulful conscience of Motown, whose voice carried both sensual longing and social protest.”
In 1971 Gaye defied Motown's pop formula to release the self-produced concept album "What's Going On," addressing war, poverty and the environment. Its success freed him as an artist and made him one of soul's most important voices.
Washington Roots
Born in Washington, D.C., in 1939, Gaye grew up singing in his father's church before joining the doo-wop group the Moonglows. Mentored by Harvey Fuqua, he signed with Motown's Tamla label in 1961.
Soul Visionary
After a run of 1960s hits and duets with Tammi Terrell, Gaye seized creative control with 1971's "What's Going On." Its blend of social commentary and lush soul reshaped popular music.
Comeback and Tragedy
Tax troubles drove him into European exile, where he wrote the Grammy-winning "Sexual Healing." His revival was cut short in 1984 when his father shot and killed him the day before his 45th birthday.
Career Timeline
- 1939Born in Washington, D.C.
- 1958Joins the doo-wop group the Moonglows
- 1961Signs with Motown's Tamla label
- 1965Scores hits like "Ain't That Peculiar"
- 1968"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" tops the charts
- 1971Releases landmark album "What's Going On"
- 1973"Let's Get It On" becomes a soul classic
- 1977"Got to Give It Up" reaches number one
- 1982Comeback hit "Sexual Healing" wins two Grammys
- 1984Shot and killed by his father in Los Angeles
Biggest Hits
- He added an "e" to his surname, partly to distance himself from his father's name.
- "Sexual Healing" earned him his only competitive Grammys, both in 1983.
The Moment You Remember
The title track of <em>What's Going On</em>, with its layered voices, weeping saxophone, and pleading questions about a troubled nation, opened an album that redefined what soul music could express.
Portrait: Jim Britt (Motown Records publicity) · Public domain (PD-US-no notice) · via Wikimedia Commons