Gaye, Marvin (1939-1984), was one of the most popular and influential rhythm and blues singers of his time. Gaye was also an important songwriter.
Gaye’s recording of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968) is considered a classic of rhythm and blues. Gaye recorded one of the earliest rhythm and blues “concept” albums, What’s Going On (1971). Gaye wrote or co-wrote all the songs in the album, which deals with such serious themes as civil rights and the Vietnam War . The album includes the hits “What’s Going On,” “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)”, and “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology).” Such social protest topics were rare in rhythm and blues music of the day.
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr., was born on April 2, 1939, in Washington, D.C. He later changed his last name to Gaye. He began singing at the age of 3 in the choir of the church where his father was a minister. Gaye formed his own singing group, the Marquees, in 1957, and then joined a backup singing group called the Moonglows. While performing in Detroit in 1961, Gaye was signed to a recording contract by Berry Gordy, Jr. , for Gordy’s new Motown label. At first, Gaye played drums in Motown recording sessions but soon recorded as a singer. His first major song was “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” (1962). This began a string of hits that made Gaye one of Motown’s top performers.
Many of Gaye’s recordings emphasized his smooth, romantic ballad style. His most popular album was Let’s Get It On (1973). The title song became one of Gaye’s biggest hits. He also recorded romantic duets with female Motown stars Kim Weston, Diana Ross , Mary Wells, and especially Tammi Terrell.
Gaye wrote the score for the motion picture Trouble Man (1972). The title song became a hit the next year. His other later hits included “Got to Give It Up, Part 1” (1977) and “Sexual Healing” (1982). Gaye was shot to death by his father during an argument on April 1, 1984. Gaye was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2019, You’re the Man, an album Gaye recorded in 1972, was released.
Related articles
in World Book include:
