The life and tragic death of Marvin Gaye, the son of a preacher who became Motown's voice of political change and died at the hands of his own father

Isaiah ReynoldsApr 25, 2023, 04:53 IST

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Marvin Gaye skyrocketed to stardom as a leading Motown artist in the 1960s and 1970s.
He become iconic for projects like "What's Going On" and "Sexual Healing."

Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. was born in 1939 in the Fairfax Housing Projects of Washington, D.C. to Alberta and Reverend Marvin Gay Sr.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

During his childhood, Gaye clashed with his father, a preacher who reportedly had a strict style of parenting. The singer found refuge in music.

Singer Marvin Gaye performs on the NBC TV music show 'Hullabaloo' in February 1965 in New York City, New York.Donaldson Collection/Getty Images

The Moonglows vocal ability quickly caught the attention of Detroit-based record mogul and founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy Jr.

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He aspired to reach the heights of classic crooners like Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra. His first song and solo single to break through into Top 40, "Hitch Hike," featured an additional "e" at the end of his surname.

Jim Britt/Getty Images

He aspired to reach the heights of classic crooners like Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra. His first song and solo single to break through into Top 40, "Hitch Hike," featured an additional "e" at the end of his surname.

In the 1960s, Gaye soared to fame. Hits like "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," which became the best-selling Motown single of the 1960s, cemented him as a star.

Promotional poster for Marvin Gaye and Tammi TerrellGAB Archive/Getty Images

In the 1960s, Gaye soared to fame. Hits like "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," which became the best-selling Motown single of the 1960s, cemented him as a star.

By 1970, the civil rights movement, the changing political landscape, and the escalating conflict in Vietnam was beginning to undo the American social fabric. Gaye had fallen into a deep depression surrounding the death of long-time collaborator Tammi Terrell, the failure of his first marriage, and troubles with addiction.

Jim Britt/Getty Images

By 1970, the civil rights movement, the changing political landscape, and the escalating conflict in Vietnam was beginning to undo the American social fabric. Gaye had fallen into a deep depression surrounding the death of long-time collaborator Tammi Terrell, the failure of his first marriage, and troubles with addiction.

Responding to the protests and police brutality of Bloody Thursday in Berkeley in 1969, Gaye put out the now-infamous "What's Going On." The choice to integrate politics into Motown not only introduced Gaye to a larger audience, but paved the way for a new kind of protest music in rhythm and blues.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Responding to the protests and police brutality of Bloody Thursday in Berkeley in 1969, Gaye put out the now-infamous "What's Going On." The choice to integrate politics into Motown not only introduced Gaye to a larger audience, but paved the way for a new kind of protest music in rhythm and blues.

The combination of social and political distress reshaped his view of music.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The 1971 album included commentary on domestic politics and was seen as a progressive analysis on climate change ahead of its time. The album was inducted into the Recording Academy's Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and was crowned Rolling Stone's #1 Album of All Time in 2020.

Motown Record Company

The 1971 album included commentary on domestic politics and was seen as a progressive analysis on climate change ahead of its time. The album was inducted into the Recording Academy's Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and was crowned Rolling Stone's #1 Album of All Time in 2020.

Gaye left Motown Records and signed with Columbia in 1982 — this partnership yielded his last album Midnight Love and its lead single "Sexual Healing." This smash hit earned Gaye his first two Grammy Awards, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Instrumental Performance in 1983.

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Gaye left Motown Records and signed with Columbia in 1982 — this partnership yielded his last album Midnight Love and its lead single "Sexual Healing." This smash hit earned Gaye his first two Grammy Awards, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Instrumental Performance in 1983.

The year 1983 also marked Gaye's performance at the NBA All-Stars game. Tasked with singing the Star-Spangled Banner, his infamous rendition revamped the traditional anthem to a notably sultry and rhythmic tune.

Gie Knaeps/Getty Images

The year 1983 also marked Gaye's performance at the NBA All-Stars game. Tasked with singing the Star-Spangled Banner, his infamous rendition revamped the traditional anthem to a notably sultry and rhythmic tune.

Gaye's struggles with depression, cocaine, and alcoholism only continued through the final stage of his life. After the Midnight Love tour, he moved in with his family in Los Angeles. Mounting conflict with his father often escalated to violence. On April 1, 1984, Gaye was shot and killed by his father — Gay Sr. claimed self-defense but was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

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Gaye's struggles with depression, cocaine, and alcoholism only continued through the final stage of his life. After the Midnight Love tour, he moved in with his family in Los Angeles. Mounting conflict with his father often escalated to violence. On April 1, 1984, Gaye was shot and killed by his father — Gay Sr. claimed self-defense but was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

As a leading musician of the 20th century, Gaye laid the framework for other artists that came in the decades after him.

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The life and tragic death of Marvin Gaye, the son of a preacher who became Motown's voice of political change and died at the hands of his own father

Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. was born in 1939 in the Fairfax Housing Projects of Washington, D.C. to Alberta and Reverend Marvin Gay Sr.

During his childhood, Gaye clashed with his father, a preacher who reportedly had a strict style of parenting. The singer found refuge in music.

The Moonglows vocal ability quickly caught the attention of Detroit-based record mogul and founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy Jr.

He aspired to reach the heights of classic crooners like Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra. His first song and solo single to break through into Top 40, "Hitch Hike," featured an additional "e" at the end of his surname.

In the 1960s, Gaye soared to fame. Hits like "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," which became the best-selling Motown single of the 1960s, cemented him as a star.

Responding to the protests and police brutality of Bloody Thursday in Berkeley in 1969, Gaye put out the now-infamous "What's Going On." The choice to integrate politics into Motown not only introduced Gaye to a larger audience, but paved the way for a new kind of protest music in rhythm and blues.

The combination of social and political distress reshaped his view of music.

The 1971 album included commentary on domestic politics and was seen as a progressive analysis on climate change ahead of its time. The album was inducted into the Recording Academy's Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and was crowned Rolling Stone's #1 Album of All Time in 2020.

Gaye left Motown Records and signed with Columbia in 1982 — this partnership yielded his last album Midnight Love and its lead single "Sexual Healing." This smash hit earned Gaye his first two Grammy Awards, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Instrumental Performance in 1983.

The year 1983 also marked Gaye's performance at the NBA All-Stars game. Tasked with singing the Star-Spangled Banner, his infamous rendition revamped the traditional anthem to a notably sultry and rhythmic tune.

As a leading musician of the 20th century, Gaye laid the framework for other artists that came in the decades after him.