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Marvin Gaye

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Marvin Gaye was born on 2 April 1939 in Washington, D.C., the son of a preacher. He sang in church as early as the age of four, where his father accompanied him on the piano. His career began with Harvey Fuqua, who took him into his group The Moonglows. In the early 1960s he went solo and signed with Tamla, a Motown label.

Music and breakthrough

At Motown he scored hits such as How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You), Ain't That Peculiar and I Heard It Through the Grapevine. He also sang duets, above all with Tammi Terrell, with whom he recorded Ain't No Mountain High Enough, and with Diana Ross. In 1971 What's Going On was released, an album over which he had largely taken control himself. In doing so he was one of the first Motown artists to break free from the label's fixed production machine. Let's Get It On, I Want You and Here, My Dear followed. In 1982 he moved to Columbia and had his greatest success with Sexual Healing.

Influence

Gaye helped define the sound of Motown and soul in the 1960s and 1970s. His voice could be soft and pleading, and with overdubs he sang his own harmonies. His work from the 1970s later influenced movements such as quiet storm and neo-soul. On 1 April 1984, a day before his 45th birthday, he was shot dead by his own father.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to I Heard It Through the Grapevine. Notice the menacing atmosphere of the accompaniment and how tormented Gaye sounds as he sings about the rumour that his lover wants to leave him.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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See also

Categories: ArtistsSoul