Marvin Gaye

He dreamt of being a pilot and joined the United States Air Force when he was 17.He dreamt of being a pilot and joined the United States Air Force when he was 17. However, when he was only given menial jobs to do, he was disappointed and faked illness to get discharged.

The R&B singer who gave to the music world super hits like ‘How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)’ and ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’, Marvin Gaye was the man who gave a specific shape to the Motown Records. Aptly called the ‘Prince of Motown’, he redefined the way soul music was created during the 1970sThe R&B singer who gave to the music world super hits like ‘How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)’ and ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’, Marvin Gaye was the man who gave a specific shape to the Motown Records. Aptly called the ‘Prince of Motown’, he redefined the way soul music was created during the 1970s. The highly talented musician had been blessed with a golden voice and an uncanny sense of song-writing. His love for music started from a young age when he started singing in his father’s church choir as a three year old. As a small boy he had a horrible childhood and endured a great deal of abuse at the hands of his father. He was repeatedly beaten up and tortured by the very man who was supposed to have taken care of him and provided him a stable home. Tired of the physical and emotional torture, he sought solace in music. He sang and also learned to play the drums and piano. At the age of 14 he decided to run away from home unable to take it any longer. Thus, he arrived at the music world and left it much richer than he had found it.

Career

He dreamt of being a pilot and joined the United States Air Force when he was 17. However, when he was only given menial jobs to do, he was disappointed and faked illness to get discharged.

Along with a friend, Reese Palmer, he formed the vocal quartet, The Marquees. The group later changed their name to ‘Harvey’ and began recording songs. They found work as session singers for the other acts like Chuck Berry.

Eventually Gaye started pursuing a solo career and released his first single, ‘Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide’ in 1961 followed by the album ‘The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye’ some weeks later.

His single ‘Stubborn Kind of Fellow’ became his first solo hit in 1962. It reached No. 8 on the R&B charts. The very next year he achieved his first top ten single, ‘Pride and Joy’.

His solo career was going steady and he also started singing duets with female singers like Mary Wells and Tammi Terrell. His partnership with Tammi was a very successful one and the duo gave hits like ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ (1967) and ‘You’re All I Need to Get By’ (1968).

In a tragic twist of fate, Tammi became ill with a brain tumor and died in 1970. Gaye was shattered by her death and became depressed. He even contemplated suicide and sought solace by immersing himself into music.

In 1973, he brought out the album ‘Let’s Get It On’ marking his first venture into the genres of funk and romance themed music. Though some music critics were turned off by its sexually suggestive lyrics, the album went on to become a big hit.

Buoyed by the success of this album, he embarked on a tour to promote it. Giving live performances further added to his appeal and made him a much sought after artist. He toured throughout 1974 and 1975.

During the late 1970s Marvin was going through a messy divorce and recorded the album, ‘Here, My Dear’ which was dedicated to his failed marriage to his first wife, Anna Gordy.

In 1982 he released his song ‘Sexual Healing’ which went on to become a great hit. The song had elements of funk, boogie, soul and gospel.

Who was Marvin Gaye?

Who was Marvin Gaye?

Who was Marvin Gaye?

The R&B singer who gave to the music world super hits like ‘How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)’ and ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’, Marvin Gaye was the man who gave a specific shape to the Motown Records. Aptly called the ‘Prince of Motown’, he redefined the way soul music was created during the 1970s. The highly talented musician had been blessed with a golden voice and an uncanny sense of song-writing. His love for music started from a young age when he started singing in his father’s church choir as a three year old. As a small boy he had a horrible childhood and endured a great deal of abuse at the hands of his father. He was repeatedly beaten up and tortured by the very man who was supposed to have taken care of him and provided him a stable home. Tired of the physical and emotional torture, he sought solace in music. He sang and also learned to play the drums and piano. At the age of 14 he decided to run away from home unable to take it any longer. Thus, he arrived at the music world and left it much richer than he had found it.