Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
- Marvin Gaye skyrocketed to stardom as a leading Motown artist in the 1960s and 1970s.
- He become iconic for projects like "What's Going On" and "Sexual Healing."
- His impact on the industry still lives on 40 years after his untimely death.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Source: Detroit Historical Society
Donaldson Collection/Getty Images
Initially starting with gospel music in his father's church, Gaye became enthralled by the R&B and doo-wop tunes popular in the 1950s. He was a part of a number of early bands in his later teens — his launching pad was a vocal group called The New Moonglows.
Source: Biography
Gilles Petard/Getty Images
Gaye was signed and began recording with Motown Records in 1961. He started off as a background singer and drummer for popular Motown acts like The Supremes, Little Stevie Wonder, and the Vandellas.
Source: Biography
Jim Britt/Getty Images
A number of accounts attribute different reasons for the name change — some say it was an homage to soul artist Sam Cooke, some say it was an attempt to clarify rumors around his sexuality, and some say it was an effort to distance himself from his father. Gaye's father had a reputation as a "crossdresser" in D.C. and is thought to have fathered children from extramarital affairs.
Source: Detroit Historical Society
GAB Archive/Getty Images
He famously collaborated with legends like Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, and Tammi Terrell.
Gaye and Terrell's pseudo-romantic collaborations churned out "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing."
Source: Biography
Jim Britt/Getty Images
Source: Biography
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Source: NPR
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
He told Rolling Stone: "In 1969 or 1970, I began to re-evaluate my whole concept of what I wanted my music to say. I was very much affected by letters my brother was sending me from Vietnam, as well as the social situation here at home. I realized that I had to put my own fantasies behind me if I wanted to write songs that would reach the souls of people. I wanted them to take a look at what was happening in the world."
In the early 1980s, Gaye briefly moved to Ostend, Belgium to control his issues with substance abuse, address his financial troubles with the IRS, and rebuild his spirituality.
Source: WBUR
Motown Record Company
The 1970s brought continued musical success for Gaye as he toured and collaborated with more Motown legends, scoring No. 1 hits in 1972 and 1977 for "Let's Get It On" and "Got to Give it Up," respectively.
Source: Biography
Ron Galella/Getty Images
Source: Biography
Gie Knaeps/Getty Images
Although well-received at the time, this remix is notorious in subverting a tradition that had previously ruined the careers of other artists, furthering his commitment to revolutionizing music and blurring the lines of music and politics.
Source: Andscape
David Redfern/Getty Images
Source: Biography
Gems/Getty Images
In the decades since, his life and passing has been subject to various speculations regarding tragedy and hubris — but in an interview with Rolling Stone in 1972, contrary to the external critique, Gaye cemented his own criteria for his own success: "To realize completeness within myself… sincerity, love, duty and a positive approach to people and audiences."
Source: Rolling Stone
from All Insider Content https://www.insider.com/photos-marvin-gaye-life-career-death-motown-2023-4