
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. was born on April 2, 1939, the second oldest child of domestic worker Alberta Gay and Pentecostalist minister Marvin Gay Sr. From an early age, Gaye took an ardor for singing; he believed that this vocation helped him through his severely troubled youth. Gaye's sister has stated that Gay Sr. beat Marvin often and into his teens. At 17, Gaye became a high school dropout, enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Disgruntled by the humble labor he had to do, Gaye pretended to have mental illness. The service authorized him a "General Discharge." Gaye returned to the D.C. area and set up a vocal quartet with a friend called The Marquees. Gaye's first vocal recording as a lead singer, "Mama Loocie," was recorded with Harvey and the New Moonglows, which was composed of Harvey Fuqua and members of The Marquees. After the group's dissolution in 1960, Gaye moved to Detroit. Performing at Motown head Berry Gordy's house, Gaye drew Gordy's interest; the ensuing sale of Fuqua's part of Gaye's contract led to Gaye signing with Motown company Tamla. Gaye initially wanted a career as a standards and jazz performer. After numerous album releases and chart successes, in 1971, Gaye saw the release of his concept album What's Going On. It was his first platinum-selling album and earned him much critical praise. His next project would be the score and soundtrack to the 1972 blaxploitation film, Trouble Man. In 1981, advised by music promoter Freddy Cousaert, tax exile Gaye moved into Cousaert's Ostend apartment in Belgium. Staging a personal recovery, Gaye penned the song "Sexual Healing," which would be his greatest hit, eventually doing ten weeks in the top position on the Hot Black Singles chart. The song was the first single from the album Midnight Love, which sold in excess of six million units. Gaye then went out on the Sexual Healing Tour, starting April 18, 1983, which would be his last tour. Around halfway through the year, he ended the tour, suffering paranoia stemming from cocaine use. Gaye then relocated to his parents' residence in L.A. Marvins Sr. and Jr. had growing conflict between them for months. Relatives and friends felt that Marvin Jr. was sometimes suicidally driven. One day, Gaye attempted to follow this urge with a leap from a hurtling sports car. He only received slight bruises. On April 1, 1984, Marvin Sr. yelled at Alberta about a lost insurance policy letter; they'd argued about the form for days. A severe thrashing then ensued between the two Marvins, with Marvin Sr. on the receiving end. Minutes thereafter, Marvin Sr. entered Gaye's bedroom, clutching a .38 pistol that had been bought for him by Gaye, and shot his son once in his heart and once in the shoulder. Marvin Jr.'s body was transported to California Hospital Medical Center, where at about 1 P.M., Gaye was pronounced dead on arrival. Celebrities across the world were shocked by the news of Gaye's untimely passing, from Smokey Robinson to Al Sharpton. Following Gaye's death, his awards and honors have flourished -- a fitting legacy for the man titled Prince of Soul.
Known For
Credits
- 2023 ยทThey All Came Out to Montreuxas Self
- 2021 ยทMr. Nelson on the North Sideas Self
- 2021 ยทBest of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 ยท1971: The Year That Music Changed Everythingas Self (archive footage)
- 2020 ยทThe Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heartas Self (archive photo)
- 2018 ยทWhitneyas Self (archive footage)
- 2018 ยทThe Top Ten Revealedas Self (archive footage)
- 2016 ยทForensic Justiceas Self (archive footage)
- 2009 ยทDJ Cinema Presents: Masterpiece Theater Blend Dvdas Self (archive footage)
- 2008 ยทMarvin Gaye: What's Going Onas Self (archive footage)
- 2008 ยทWhat's Going On: The Life and Death of Marvin Gayeas Self (archive footage)
- 2008 ยทMotor City's Burning: Detroit from Motown to the Stoogesas Self (archive footage)
- 2006 ยทDarts Tarts โ Welcome to my Worldas Self (archive footage)
- 2006 ยทMarvin Gaye: The Real Thing - In Performance 1964-1981as Himself
- 2006 ยทMarvin Gaye - Let's get it onas self
- 2004 ยทFunky Dance Groovesas Self
- 2004 ยทLarry presents: Best of The 80sas Self
- 2004 ยทTV in Black: The First Fifty Yearsas Self (archive footage)
- 2003 ยทPrachtig 80: Volume 2as Self
- 2003 ยทMarvin Gaye - Live In Montreux 1980as Himself
- 2003 ยทThe Giants of Black Musicas Self
- 2002 ยทRemember Marvin Gayeas Himself
- 1998 ยทMotown 40: The Music is Foreveras Self (archive footage)
- 1984 ยทDTV: Golden Oldiesas Self
- 1983 ยทMotown 25: Yesterday, Today, Foreveras Self
- 1980 ยทMarvin Gaye: Live at Montreuxas Self
- 1980 ยทStanding Room Only: Diana Rossas Self
- 1977 ยทThe Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1977as Self
- 1977 ยทThe Day the Music Diedas Self
- 1976 ยทMarvin Gaye - Greatest Hits Live in '76as
- 1974 ยทThe Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974as Self
- 1973 ยทSave the Childrenas Self
- 1972 ยทThe Midnight Specialas Self
- 1971 ยทChrome and Hot Leatheras Jim
- 1969 ยทThe Ballad of Andy Crockeras David Owens
- 1967 ยทMalibu Uas Self
- 1965 ยทHullabalooas Self
- 1964 ยทThe T.A.M.I. Showas Self
- 1964 ยทShindig!as Self - Singer
- 1964 ยทThe Hollywood Palaceas Self - Singer
- 1964 ยทTop of the Popsas Self
- 1963 ยทReady Steady Go!as Self
- 1948 ยทThe Ed Sullivan Showas Self
- Future ยทLive at Amsterdam 1976as Himself