MARVIN GAYE

Christy Hendricks

Marvin Pentz Gay Jr

Born April 2, 1939 in Washington D.C.

Later in his life added the ‘e’ at the end of his name.

Oldest of 4 siblings; One brother, and two sisters.

Family LifeFather was a

minister for a Jewish Orthodox Church

Authoritarian, very strict

Corporal punishment, even for minor infractions

Working mother

Lived in a harsh ‘ghetto’ neighborhood

No drinkingNo dancingNo listening to

anything other than church music

Began singing and playing the organ in the church by the time he was 3.

Throughout his young childhood he taught himself the drums and piano.

Quit high school and joined the Air Force.

Discharged from the Air Force.Began singing in street corner

doo-wop groups.Formed The MarqueesMoves to The Moonglows

Motown Records:1961 - Signed

on with Motown Records.

Started as a session drummer and played on all the early hits of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

First solo work to break into the top 40: “Hitch Hike”

Released in 1962http://www.youtu

be.com/watch?v=OnGWSQoLK44

From 1967 to 1969 reign as R&B’s hottest duo

Some of their biggest hits include: Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Your Precious Love, Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing, You're All I Need to Get By

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz-UvQYAmbg

The Prince of MotownTopped the charts

for seven weeksSold four million

copies Became Motown’s

biggest-selling single of the Sixties

For all this, Gaye earned the nickname “the Prince of Motown.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87FjkqtK67o

What’s Going OnWas a self composed

and produced concept album

Debuted #6 on the Billboard Charts in 1971.

Garnered widespread critical acclaim

Won the Rolling Stone Album of the Year award. http://www.youtube.com/watc

h?v=H-kA3UtBj4M&feature=related

From 1961 until 1985:◦19 Studio albums◦6 Duet Albums◦56 records on the pop singles charts

1987 inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

April 1, 1984

"I record so that I can feed people what they need, what they feel.

Hopefully, I record so that I can help someone overcome a bad time."

References: Marvin Gaye. (2012). Retrieved November 15, 2012,

from The Biography Channel: http://www.biography.com/people/marvin-gaye-9307988?page=1

Marvin Gaye Biography. (2012). Retrieved November 15, 2012, from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: http://rockhall.com/inductees/marvin-gaye/bio/

Ritz, D. (2000). Marvin Gaye Biography. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from Sing365.com: http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Marvin-Gaye-Biography/2479E1513170C15348256BD400117645

Simon, Schuster, & Serpick. (2001). Marvin Gaye. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/marvin-gaye/biography