Contents
Marvin Gaye
Recording What’s Going On and helping transform the sound and ambition of soul music.
What’s Going On · Let’s Get It On
- Born
- 2 April 1939
- Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., United States
- Died
- 1 April 1984
More people
Marvin Gaye
American singer, songwriter and producer whose work moved from Motown hits to deeply personal and political albums.
Early life
Church music
Began singing in his father’s church.
Vocal groups
Performed with local groups before joining Harvey Fuqua’s circle and moving to Detroit.
Career
- 1960s
Motown breakthrough
Became a hit singer and recorded memorable duets.
- 1970s
Creative independence
Produced albums with greater control over their musical and lyrical direction.
- 1980s
Late-career return
Recorded in Europe and returned to major success before his death.
Selected work
What’s Going On
An album connecting war, inequality, faith and environmental concern.
Let’s Get It On
A landmark exploration of intimacy in soul music.
Sexual Healing
A late hit using electronic rhythms and layered vocals.
Beyond work
Personal struggles
Experienced depression, addiction and difficult relationships.
Violent death
Was shot and killed by his father in 1984.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: Photograph by Jim Britt, whose other (copyrighted) photos of Gaye from the same session—many of them in full color—can be seen at his website . Originally distributed by Motown Records .. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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