This weekend we remember Marvin Gaye (1 April 1939 – 2 April 1984) — one of the greatest soul singers of all time — on what would have been his 83rd birthday.
Over his career, the singer-songwriter covered almost the entire history of R&B — in addition to soul, funk, disco ad pop. As such, Gaye continues to be one of music’s most influential artists. Furthermore, he was one of the first artists to break away from the reins of a production company and demand greater artistic control of his work.
Growing up in a religious household, Gaye started singing in church when he was four years old. In high school, he would discover secular music and in 1959 he became a member of The Moonglows — a nationally known doo-wop group. His talent eventually got him signed to Motown Records in the early 1960s.
Though he started as a session drummer for other artists, he made a way for himself as a solo artist and released his first single Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide (May 1961). This was followed by his debut album The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye (June 1961), which blended his jazz interests with the label’s desire for an R&B sound.
In 1963 he released his second album That Stubborn Kinda Fellow which spawned the singles Stubborn Kind Of Fellow, Hitchhike and Pride and Joy. The next few years provided further evidence of Gaye’s hit-making abilities with the success of songs like Baby Don’t You Do It and How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You. His popularity was further cemented by his first charting album Together (1964), which featured duets with Motown star Mary Wells. Moods of Marvin Gaye (1966) gave him his first number 1 RnB single, I’ll Be Doggone.
Gaye then released several jazz-inspired recordings — but they sold poorly compared to his later successes, such as It Takes Two with Kim Weston. His series of duets with Tammi Terrell were also incredibly huge hits and included the famous Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and You’re All I Need To Get By. Unfortunately, the pair’s success was cut short when a brain tumour forced Terrell to stop performing. Though her illness and eventual death affected Gaye immensely, he produced one of his biggest hits during this time ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine (1968). The song became one of his signature songs and a staple of Motown.
In 1971, Gaye convinced Motown to release an effort that was drastically different from his previous work. Incorporating jazz and funk, ‘What’s Going On’ explored social and political issues that became a trend for later soul music. The concept album generated 3 top ten singles, the most notable of these was the title cut, which became a pop and R&B crossover sensation. The record’s success allowed him to gain more creative control over his music, which resulted in albums like the soundtrack for the film Trouble Man.
Another change in direction came about with Let’s Get It On (1973). This sexually-charged album was a massive commercial success, thanks in part to the title track’s number 1 success. The same year, he released a duet album with Diana Ross Diana & Marvin — both of whom were widely recognised as two of pop’s top contemporary performers.
Gaye rarely performed live and avoided TV exposure almost completely, but he showcased his talents as a live performer in 1974 with Marvin Gaye Live. His next solo effort was the disco-influenced I Want You (1976), which found crossover success with the title track. In 1977, Gaye had his 3rd number 1 pop hit from his album ‘Live At The London Palladium’.
The commercially disappointing album Here, My Dear was then released in 1978. By 1979, he was plagued with financial troubles, drug addiction and marital issues. His last record with Motown was thus, 1981’s In Our Lifetime.
In 1982, he released his 17th studio album (which would be his last), Midnight Love, with Columbia Records. The project achieved international success and produced the worldwide hit Sexual Healing. The song gave Gaye his first 2 Grammy awards and it seemed that he was a star once again. Nevertheless, he struggled with his health and depression and moved back into his parent’s home. However, the home was fraught with quarrelling and on April 1st, 1984, one of these arguments ultimately lead to Gaye’s death after he was shot by his father — the day before his 45th birthday.
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