Tribute: Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye was a luminary in the world of Motown and Soul. Gaye could do it all: classic, catchy hits like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"; sultry, romantic ballads such as "Sexual Healing" and "Let's Get It On"; socially-conscious anthems exemplified by "What's Going On" and "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)". Despite his musical appeal across genres and phenomenal success, Gaye was not satisfied with life. He suffered from depression, attempting suicide on more than one occasion, and he struggled with drug abuse. Although the world loved Marvin Gaye, he did not like himself. And his father liked him even less.

Disclaimer: This piece is not intended to portray Marvin Gaye as a tragic victim. Sources have stated that in addition to drug use, Gaye had a history of mistreating the women he was romantically involved with - infidelity, and sexual, physical and psychological abuse. But this is a look at Gaye's musical talent, inner demons, and contentious relationship with his father.

Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. was born on 2 April 1939 to Alberta and Marvin Gay, Sr. Throughout his life, Marvin's relationship with his father was tumultuous. Reportedly his father physically abused Marvin as a child. The boy was his mother's favorite, and this supposedly created jealousy in the older man. Once Marvin, Jr. achieved world-wide success, the older man's jealousy intensified. Marvin, Sr. liked to dress in women's clothing (prompting the son to change his name to "Gaye", in an attempt to distance himself from his parent's curious proclivity) and he was an alcoholic.

Marvin began singing in church at the age of four. After several failed attempts at succeeding in a vocal group, Gaye was "discovered" when he performed at Motown founder Berry Gordy's house. Gaye intended on pursuing a career as a jazz musician. His first single, "Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide", released in 1961, was unremarkable. The following year, he found success with "Stubborn Kind of Fellow", "Hitch Hiker", and "Pride and Joy". Gaye's musical achievements began to accumulate: "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" was released in 1964 and "Ain't That Peculiar" in 1965.

Gaye's star was rapidly ascending. He scored multiple hits, including several duets with Tammi Terrell. (See Gaye's selected discography, later on this page.) Gaye and Terrell had a unique musical bond. In 1967, while performing, Terrell collapsed in Gaye's arms. She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. She would die of the affliction in 1970, at the age of 24. Gaye was devastated; it is speculated that this was when his drug use began (or began in earnest). (You can visit Tammi Terrell's Tribute here.)

Marvin Gaye would spend the remainder of his life scaling the heights of musical success, while alternately plumbing the deaths of depression and drug-fueled paranoia. He experienced two divorces and briefly fled to Belgium trying to escape his demons. Yet upon his return to the States, his depression intensified and his cocaine habit spiraled out of control. He had moved back into his parents' home, where his doting mother would read the Bible to him amidst the tension between her son and his jealous, alcoholic father. Paranoid that someone was trying to kill him, Marvin bought a gun, which he gave to his father, to protect the family.

On 1 April 1984, Marvin was with his mother when his father appeared, angry and shouting at his wife about some missing documents. Marvin accosted his father, following him into his room and assaulting him. His father returned with the gun that Marvin had previously given him and shot twice. The first bullet struck Marvin in the shoulder and he fell to his knees; the second bullet hit the singer in chest, tearing through his heart and several major organs. (It should be noted that the toxicology report showed no drugs in the singer's system at the time of his death.)

Paramedics were called but had to wait 20 minutes to attend to the dying musician. They refused to enter the house while Marvin Gay, Sr. was still on the premises with the gun. Marvin was rushed to California Hospital Medical Center and pronounced dead at 1:01 pm. The next day would have been his 45th birthday.

Marvin Gaye's funeral was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. More than 5,000 people attended. Gaye was cremated and his ashes were released into the Pacific Ocean. This is a photo of his death certificate, followed by photos of the musician's funeral and open casket. Caution: both photos could be considered graphic.

Marvin Gay, Sr. was charged with manslaughter, not murder, due to mitigating circumstances: his lawyers claimed self-defense, and the discovery of a brain tumor brought into question diminished capacity. He was sentenced to a six-year suspended sentence and never served any jail time for killing his son. When asked if he loved his son, the elder Gay replied, "Let's just say I didn't dislike him." He died in 1998.

Awards

1985

April 2nd declared "Marvin Gaye, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund Day" in Washington, D.C.

1987

Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

1988

Inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame.

1990

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1996

Received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

2003

What's Going On (album) chosen for inclusion by the Library of Congress into its National Recording Registry.

2005

Inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

2006

Watts Branch Park in Washington, D.C. renamed Marvin Gaye Park.

2009

A portion of Foote Street NE in Washington, D.C. renamed Marvin Gaye Way.

2014

Inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.

2016

Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

2020

What's Going On (album) ranked #1 on Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time".

Other honors

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame listed "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "What's Going On", and "Sexual Healing" on its list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.

Ranked #18 on Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".

Ranked #6 on Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".

Ranked #82 on Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time".

Ranked #6 on Q magazine's "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".

Selected Singles

"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)"

"Ain't That Peculiar"

"It Takes Two" (duet with Kim Weston)

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (duet with Tammi Terrell)

"Your Precious Love" (duet with Tammi Terrell)

"Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" (duet with Tammi Terrell)

"You're All I Need to Get By" (duet with Tammi Terrell)

"I Heard It Through the Grapevine"

"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby"

"What's Going On"

"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)"

"Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)"

"Let's Get It On"

"Got to Give It Up"

"Sexual Healing"