R.I.P. Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who was born in Washington, DC on April 2nd, 1939. Considered as one of the most influential artists in the history of popular music, his most famous songs include “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, “Sexual Healing”, “Let’s Get It On”, and today’s song choice. Throughout his career, he has received many accolades including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award, and inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
On this very day, April 1st 1984, Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr. died of gunshot wounds, inflicted by his very own father (after an altercation between the two). He was 44. In memory of his passing, exactly 40 years ago today, I’ve chosen a song that marked Gaye’s departure from a pure Motown sound to a more political and socially conscious one. If you’d like to have a listen, please feel free to use the provided link. Released as a single in 1971, here’s the late MARVIN GAYE, with “WHAT’S GOING ON?”….