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Marvin Gaye ( April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984) was an American soul and R&B singer who gained international fame during the 1960s. His best records are still highly regarded, and he is often cited as one of the finest singers of his era.1 Early Life and Career
Gaye was born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (He later added the "e" to imitate Sam Cooke, who did the same.) Gaye was born in Washington, DC, son of an ordained minister in the House of God, a conservative Christian sect which takes some elements of Pentecostalism and Orthodox Judaism. The church has very strict codes of conduct and does not celebrate any holidays. Gaye got his start singing in the church choir, later learning to play the piano and drums to escape from his physically abusiveChild abuse is physical or psychological mistreatment of a child by its parents, guardians, or other adults. Types and causes The simplest example of child abuse is neglect where the guardians fail to perform those tasks necessary to the well-being of the father.
After high school, Gaye joined the United States Air ForceThe United States Air Force USAF is the aviation branch of the United States armed forces. The mission of the USAF is "to defend the United States through the control and exploitation of air and space. Organization There are three components of the USAF: and then, after being discharged, joined several doo wop groups, settling on the Rainbows , a popular local group in DC. With Bo DiddleyBo Diddley (born December 30, 1928), The Originator , is an influential American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was born Ellas Bates and later took the name Ellas McDaniel after his adoptive mother, Gussie McDaniel. He adopted the stage name, the Rainbows released a single, "Wyatt Earp" ( 1958Events January January 1 Treaty of Rome founding the EU is implemented January 4 Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from its orbit (launched on October 4 1957) January 8 14 year old Bobby Fischer wins the United States Chess Championship January 18 Armed Lumbee Nat, Okeh) and were then recruited by Harvey Fuqua to become the MoonglowsThe Moonglows were an influental American R&B and doo wop group, featuring such legendary singers as Bobby Lester, Harvey Fuqua, Alexander Graves and Prentiss Barnes, along with guitarist Billy Johnson. Originally known as The Crazy Sounds and The Moonlig. "Mama Loocie" ( 1959, Chess Records) was Gaye's first single with the Moonglows. After a concert in Detroit, Michigan, Gaye was recruited for a solo career by Berry Gordy Jr. of Motown Records.
As a session drummer, Gaye worked with Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, among other groups, and eventually married Anna Gordy, Berry Gordy's sister in 1961. Gaye released three unsuccessful singles until his fourth attempt, "Stubborn Kind of Fellow" ( 1962) became a minor hit, as were 1963's "Hitch Hike" and "Can I Get a Witness".
"Pride and Joy" ( 1963) became a smash hit, but Gaye began feeling discontented with the role he felt Motown Records kept him locked in, as a romantic balladeer and crooner, aiming always for chart success in the singles market. Together ( 1964) was Gaye's first charting album, and included some hit singles. By 1965, he had released 39 Top 40 songs for Motown, many of them duets with Mary Wells, Kim Weston and Tammi Terrell. Terrell and Gaye had several massive hits such as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" ( 1967), "Your Precious Love" ( 1967), "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" ( 1968) and "You're All I Need to Get By" ( 1968).
After Gaye hit the charts with his biggest hit, " I Heard It Through the Grapevine", Terrell collapsed onstage in Virginia from a then-undiagnosed brain tumor which killed her in 1970. Meanwhile, Gaye's marriage was crumbling and he continued to feel irrelevant, singing endlessly about love while popular music underwent a revolution and began addressing social and political issues.
