Marvin Gaye, in my opinion, was one of the most talented and intelligent musicians to come out of Motown. And sadly, Gaye’s life ended in terrible tragedy. While that untimely death is worth exploring, it’s also worth honoring Gaye’s incredible life and career as one of the definitive and pioneering artists of the Motown sound in the 1960s.
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Marvin Gaye is called the Prince of Soul and Motown for a reason. A talented R&B and soul singer/songwriter, Gaye started his career as a session musician before successfully transitioning to a solo career.
His discography of hits is impressive, to say the least. “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” from 1964 was one of his first hits. And who could forget “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” from 1968?
Gaye dominated the Motown sound in the 1960s. His landmark album What’s Going On is a staple in any audiophile’s collection. He bridged the gap between soul and social justice with that album. I doubt many similar artists today would be bold enough to go in that direction if Gaye hadn’t done it first.
He was still going strong in the 1980s, too. “Sexual Healing” was a huge hit in 1982 and nabbed Gaye a few Grammy Awards. His career and life would end shortly after. Sadly, Marvin Gaye died at only 44 years old in 1984.
The Tragic Death of Marvin Gaye
Gaye’s upbringing wasn’t easy. His father was a church minister who abused Gaye growing up and forced the family to adhere to a very strict code of conduct. If it were not for his mother, Gaye said he likely would have ended his life. Marvin Gay Sr. resented that mother-and-son relationship, and also resented Gaye for becoming the breadwinner of the family following his musical fame.
On April 1, 1984, one day before his 45th birthday, Marvin Gaye was murdered by his own father while trying to intervene between his parents during a domestic dispute. The murder occurred at his family’s home in Los Angeles.
Gaye had moved back in with the family to help care for his mother following kidney surgery. For six months, the two men had an uncomfortable and bitter relationship while living together. On April 1, Gaye’s parents launched into an argument over a misplaced letter, and Gaye confronted his father and told him to leave his mother alone. A physical altercation occurred, and Gay Sr. withdrew a pistol and shot Gaye in the heart… twice. The sad thing is that Gaye had actually purchased the gun for his father so he could protect himself from intruders.
Marvin Gaye’s death is still considered one of the most shocking events in music history. And despite the horrors that occurred on that faithful day, his music still exists as a beacon of hope and promise. If Marvin Gaye had more time, I can only imagine which directions he would have taken with his music career and how many more people he would have inspired.
Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns
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