Listen Live
Stone Soul Vendor Graphics
99.3-105.7 Kiss FM
CLOSE

He wad dubbed the “Prince of Soul” and “Prince of Motown”. Marvin Pentze Gay, JR was born April 2, 1939 in Washington, DC. He added the “e” to his stage name Marvin Gaye.

Gaye started his singing career with the Moonglows, a doo wop group in the 1950’s the group disbanded in the 1960’s. Gaye embarked on a solo career signing with Motown on the Tamla label. He came to Motown as a session drummer but was later ranked the label’s top selling solo act in the 1960’s.

Gaye hits included “How Sweet It Is (To be Loved By You)”, “Aint That Peculiar”, “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” and his duets with Tammi Terrell and Mary Wells. His big hit albums were “What’s Going On”, “I Want You” and “Let’s Get It On”.

Gaye went into a European exile in the 1980’s but returned in 1982 releasing the Grammy Award winning hit “Sexual Healing” and the “Midnight Love” album.

Marvin Gaye grew up with his three siblings in Benning Terrace housing projects in Southeast D.C. Gaye’s mother was a schoolteacher and his dad Marvin Gay, SR was a minister. Mr. Gay was strict and domineering and wanted his children to follow him into the ministry. Lil Marvin would sing at church revivals. Gay SR didn’t want his children to participate in sports and seculiar music. There was alot of violence and tention in the Gay home said Marvin JR.

Gay SR quit the House of God Inc. because he didn’t get promoted to Chief Apostle. Marvin JR said that’s when his dad developed alcoholism which created more tension between father and son.

Gaye performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the NBA All-Star Game in February 1983 at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

His final appearance before his mentor Berry Gordon and the Motown label was at “Motown 25” when he performed “What’s Going On” in March 1983.

Marvin Gaye ended his US tour in August 1983 as his mental and drug addiction spiraled out of control. Gaye tried to isolate himself from others and his fans by moving with his parents. He tried to commit suicide several times according to the PBS documentary “American Masters” in 2008.

Marvin Gaye intervened on his parents argument on April 1, 1984. The argument was over misplaced business documents. It was discovered that Marvin JR had beaten Marvin SR earlier.  Marvin Gaye was shot by his father with the gun he had given to him months earlier. Gay SR plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 5 year probation. Gay SR had a brain tumor and later died of pneumonia in 1998.

The American Music Awards magazine Rolling Stone name Marvin Gaye as the number 6 greatest singers of all time. He was postumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Radio One Richmond and Miss Community Clooovia remember the Late Great Marvin Gaye April 2, 1939- April 1, 1984.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER – @KISSRICHMOND

CONNECT VIA FACEBOOK

DOWNLOAD THE FREE MOBILE APP

CLAIM YOUR FREE SMART PHONE

JOIN OUR MOBILE TEXT CLUB