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Archive for the ‘moonglows’ Category

THE GREATEST SOUL SINGER OF ALL TIME….MARVIN GAYE

Posted: May 21, 2012 in berry gordy, kim weston, marvin gaye, midnight love, moonglows, motown, smokey robinson, tamla motown, tammi terrell, whats going on

Marvin Gaye in 1973 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In this Series of Posts, I will writing about the Artist’s who are in My “Greatest Ever Soul Singer of All-Time” Poll.

The Poll is over to the Right of the Blog, it has been Running for a Couple of Weeks now, so if You haven’t already Voted, Please do so!

In these Post’s, I will write a few Facts, Figures, Stats and Interesting Stuff on the Artist in Question, I will also include a Playlist of their 20 Greatest Songs.

I will Write a Post on each Artist in Order of “Top to Bottom” of the Poll!

ARTIST NUMBER 2………………MARVIN GAYE

Marvin Pentz Gay Jr was Born on April 2, 1939 in Washington DC, He was One of Four Children, His Father was a Minister and his Mother was a School Teacher.

He was Multi Talented being a Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Record Producer and a Multi Instrument Musician, including Keyboards, Drums, Percussion, Clavinet, Piano and Synthesizers.

He only ever Recorded for 2 Record Labels, Motown and Columbia.

He started His Musical Career in the Late 50’s, when He joined a Doo Wop Group Called “the Moonglows“

The Moonglows Disbanded in 1960, and Marvin Gay‘s Solo Career Started when He Joined “Motown” the same Year as a Session Drummer!

Marvin Gay’s Early Singing Efforts were either Standard’s and Jazz Recording’s, the Opposite of Most of the Motown Act’s of that Era, who Sang R&B.

Even at this Early stage Marvin Gay had plenty of Run-ins and Argument’s with Motown Founder and Owner “Berry Gordy”

One of His First Professional Jobs for Motown was as a Drummer for “The Miracles” this is where MG struck up his Life Long Friendship with “Smokey Robinson”

Marvin Gay added an “E” to His Surname to coincide with His Debut Single Release in May 1961, the Track was called “Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide” it Flopped in the US apart from the Mid West!

His Second Single also Flopped in Early 1962, that was Called “Sandman” and the Debut Album Released the Previous Year also flopped, that was Called “The Soulful Moods Of Marvin Gaye”

Around this Period “Marvin Gaye” was having more Success behind the Scenes, Session Drumming for the likes of: Mary Wells, Contours, The Marvellettes, Supremes, Martha Reeves and Little Stevie Wonder!

Three of Motown Hits around this time, Featured Marvin Gaye on the Drums, they were: Fingertips by Little Stevie Wonder, Please Mr Postman by The Marvellettes and Dancing In The Street by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas!

In 62 and 63 Marvin Gaye was part of “The Motortown Revue Show” this meant He was nearly certain to have His First Hit with His 4th Single Release in the Spring of 63, which was called “Pride & Joy” it Reached Number 10 on the US Hot 100 Chart.

Later that Same Year He had his Second Hit Single with “Can I Get A Witness” and more “Hits” were to follow over the next few Years!

In Early 1967 His First Duet Hit happened with “Kim Weston” it was called “It Takes Two” by Late 67 MG had teamed up with “Tammi Terrell” and Several Hit Duets were shortly to follow.

By 1970 Marvin Gaye has Released 10 Album’s, all on the Motown/Tamla Record Label, but in 1971 He became the First Black Artist to Release an “Concept Album” it was called “What’s Going On” most of the Tracks Segued into the next, and the Subject matter of the Album, was War, Drug Abuse, Polictics, Enviroment and Poverty.

The Album was Marvin Gaye’s First Number 1 on the US R&B Chart.

He would Release 6 more Albums Before His Untimely Death on 1st April 1984, he was Fatally Wounded by a Bullet, Shot by His Father!

His Last Studio Recorded Album was “Midnight Love” on the Columbia Record Label, 3 more Albums were Released after His Death, 2 on Columbia and 1 on Motown Record Label.

Throughout His Life, He had a Constant Battle with Depression, Money and Drugs, these all seemed to come together and were the Probable Cause of his Early Death.