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 · They All Came Out to Montreux as Self
- 2021 · Mr. Nelson on the North Side as Self
- 2021 · Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go! as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 · 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything as Self (archive footage)
- 2020 · The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart as Self (archive photo)
- 2018 · Whitney as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · The Top Ten Revealed as Self (archive footage)
- 2009 · DJ Cinema Presents: Masterpiece Theater Blend Dvd as Self (archive footage)
- 2008 · Marvin Gaye: What's Going On as Self (archive footage)
- 2008 · Motor City's Burning: Detroit from Motown to the Stooges as Self (archive footage)
- 2006 · Darts Tarts – Welcome to my World as Self (archive footage)
- 2006 · Marvin Gaye: The Real Thing - In Performance 1964-1981 as Himself
- 2006 · Marvin Gaye - Let's get it on as self
- 2004 · Funky Dance Grooves as Self
- 2004 · Larry presents: Best of The 80s as Self
- 2004 · TV in Black: The First Fifty Years as Self (archive footage)
- 2003 · Prachtig 80: Volume 2 as Self
- 2003 · Marvin Gaye - Live In Montreux 1980 as Himself
- 2003 · The Giants of Black Music as Self
- 2002 · Remember Marvin Gaye as Himself
- 1998 · Motown 40: The Music is Forever as Self (archive footage)
- 1984 · DTV: Golden Oldies as Self
- 1983 · Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever as Self
- 1980 · Marvin Gaye: Live at Montreux as Self
- 1980 · Standing Room Only: Diana Ross as Self
- 1977 · The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1977 as Self
- 1977 · The Day the Music Died as Self
- 1976 · Marvin Gaye - Greatest Hits Live in '76 as
- 1974 · The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974 as Self
- 1973 · Save the Children as Self
- 1972 · The Midnight Special as Self
- 1971 · Chrome and Hot Leather as Jim
- 1969 · The Ballad of Andy Crocker as David Owens
- 1967 · Malibu U as Self
- 1965 · Hullabaloo as Self
- 1964 · The T.A.M.I. Show as Self
- 1964 · Shindig! as Self - Singer
- 1964 · The Hollywood Palace as Self - Singer
- 1963 · Ready Steady Go! as Self
- 1948 · The Ed Sullivan Show as Self - Singer
- Future · Live at Amsterdam 1976 as Himself