THE GREATEST SOUL SINGER OF ALL TIME….MARVIN GAYE

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.

Marvin Gaye’s Complete Discography:

19  Studio Albums

7  Duet Albums

4  Live Albums

24  Compilation Albums

83  Single Releases.

Checkout my More In-Depth Post’s concerning Marvin Gaye’s Personal and Musical Life:  Press Here

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Related articles

• Happy Birthday Marvin Gaye!

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• Let’s Get It On…

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• Marvin Gaye, April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984.

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• Remembering Marvin Gaye: The Man, His Music, The Struggle For Social Change Continues

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THE 104th MIX FOR F.S.V.B

Here’s the 104th Mix selection for F.S.V.B, its to go with my Last Post, and finish off my Tribute to the Great Marvin Gaye.


Its been Mixed by DJ Savoir Faire, its a Tribute   called “Happy Birthday, Marvin Gaye” there’s some Classic Tracks on here, including: What’s Going On, Got To Give It Up, Let’s Get It On, Sanctified Lady and The Great, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) !

Press play button below or to Download go to Savoir Faire’s Podomatic Page WebPage

http://lfoster516.podomatic.com/swf/joeplayer_v18c.swf

THE BEST SOUL BANDS / ARTISTS OF THE ALL-TIME # 3…MARVIN GAYE Part 3

This Series of Post’s concerns in my Opinion The Best Bands/Artists of all time.

I will write a Short Bio including  the Band Members/Artist, some Facts and figures, their Histories,  Links, Videos, The Tracks they made Famous, Links to Download etc etc

I will continue the series with the Best Soul Vocalist from Tamla Motown Records…………….MARVIN GAYE. Part 3

In 1972 Marvin Gaye came out of Stage Retirement to Perform at Selected Venues, it was around this period that He Released the Soundtrack Album to go with Movie “Trouble Man”


1972 also saw MG sign a New Contract with Motown Records, it was rumoured to be worth $9 Million Dollars! it gave him more Control over his Music and was the most lucrative Deal for a Black Performer at that Time.


By late ’72 MG had Moved from Detroit to Los Angeles and began working towards his next Album Release!

Marvin Gaye Released the Single “Let’s Get It On” in June of ’73, it went to Number 1 and was MG’s second Million Selling Single on the Billboard Top 100, with the Success of this single,  He decided to drop the Social Topic’s he Sung about on his previous Album (What’s Going On) and Revert back to his “Sensual Style of Music” and the Album “Let’s Get It On” was Written and Released by August of 1973. 


The Album contained 2 more Singles, including “Come Get To This” and “You Sure Love To Ball” this Single was not Promoted by “Motown” as it had a lot of Sexual Content!

October of ’73 saw the Release of the “Diana & Marvin” Album, it was well over a Year in the making, it was said, Diana Ross, who was Pregnant at that time, Refused to Work with Marvin Gaye, on a lot of the Sessions, because of his Smoking and Drug use, the result was most of the  Album was Recorded Seperately and dubbed together at a later date!    


SEE THE END OF THIS POST FOR TRACKS FROM THE ALBUM!  


January 1974 saw Marvin Gaye Return to Touring. one of the Date’s on the Tour in “Oakland, California”  was recorded and Released as a Live “Album” in June that Year! 

The Song “Distant lover” was so Well Received on the Tour,  it was Decided by Motown to Release it as a Single in Late 1974, and after this the “Marvin Gaye Live Album” Sold over 1 Million Copies!


1975 saw MG Producing for other Motown Act’s including The Miracles and Yvonne Fair.

Marvin Gaye’s Album Release in 1976 was his First for 3 Year’s, it was called “I Want You” the Title Track was a Chart topping Single in the R&B Charts and a Top 20 Pop Hit!


The other Single Release was “After The Dance” which was also a Chart Hit.


Also in 1976 Marvin Gaye faced a few lawsuits against him, including some from former Musicians, (about pay) he also faced Bankruptcy and Prison, because of his Failed Alimony Payments to his Former wife, how he Avoided this, was to Agree with the Court, to Tour Europe again (his First overseas Tour for 10 Years) and to pay his Former wife, from some of his Royalties! 

MG Performed all over europe, including Switzerland, Holland, Italy, France and the UK, the Concert at The London Palladium was Recorded and Released in Early 1977 as a Double Album.


After the European dates had Finished he returned to the US to continue to Tour.  


To read a couple of Great in-depth Article’s on Marvin Gaye, Press 1 and 2


DOWNLOAD SOME MARVIN GAYE MUSIC!


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ALL TRACKS FROM THE DIANA & MARVIN ALBUM INCLUDING THE 4 BONUS TRACKS!
http://www.4shared.com/minifolder/uTQx8ZU9/diana__marvin.html

THE BEST SOUL BANDS / ARTISTS OF THE ALL-TIME # 3…MARVIN GAYE Part 2

This Series of Post’s concerns in my Opinion The Best Bands/Artists of all time.

I will write a Short Bio including  the Band Members/Artist, some Facts and figures, their Histories,  Links, Videos, The Tracks they made Famous, Links to Download etc etc

I was asked by my Wife, Susan, to do a Post on “Marvin Gaye” as she likes a lot of his Music, especially around the early to Middle 1970’s, her Favorite track being “Abraham, Martin and John”

I will continue the series with the Best Soul Vocalist from Tamla Motown Records…………….MARVIN GAYE.

About 18 Month’s before Tammi Terrell‘s Death, in August of 1968, MG Released his First Solo Studio Album in around 2 Year’s, this was because if his Duet Work with Tammi Terrell.

The Album was called “In The Groove” the Best Selling Single on the Album was “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” so after this was a Big Hit, the Album Title was Changed to “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”


April 1969 saw another Album release, called MPG, this turned out to be, MG’s Best Selling Album of the 60’s and his First Solo Album to get into the Billboard’s Top 40!

It contained 2 Million Selling Singles, “Too Busy Thinking about My Baby” and “That’s The Way Love Is”


In January 1970 Tamla Records Released Marvin Gaye‘s 10th Solo Studio Album, called “That’s The Way love Is” and was Produced by Norman Whitfield,  the Title Track was taken from the previous Album release and put together with some Cover Versions of other Motown and Pop Bands of the time, i.e The Temptations, Jimmy Ruffin and The Young Rascals.

The Best 2 tracks on the Album were, a Great Cover Version of The Beatles Hit, “Yesterday” and a Song that was Never Released in US but was a Number 9 Pop Hit In the UK “Abraham, Martin & John” this Song was a Tribute to the Memory of 3 Icons of Social Change from around this period, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King and John F Kennedy!  


After Tammi Terrell’s Death in March of 1970, Marvin Gaye again suffered from Depression and Stage Fright, in fact it got as Bad as cancelling Shows etc which led to Marvin Gaye being Sued by various Venues for not turning up!


It was around this period that MG Co-Wrote “What’s Going On” with Obie Benson from the Four Tops and Al Cleveland.


It took up until June 1st 1970, before MG returned to work at Motown, he was Hoping to Record the Track (“What’s Going On”) as his new Single, the Song was based on MG’s Brother’s experience’s in the Vietnam War and it also concerned Police Brutality at a Anti-War Rally in San Francisco!


But Berry Gordy refused to Release it as a Single, stating it would have harmed MG’s image with the Record buying Public, because around this time MG was Regarded as a Sex Symbol, and this was an Anti Establishment Song!

Berry Gordy if even went as far as saying the Song was Rubbish!


This caused many Violent Arguments between them and MG Refused to Record for Motown again!


The Argument went on for several Months, until Berry Gordy finally gave in and the Song was Released on January 17th 1971, over One Year after it was Written.


Marvin Gaye was proved Right with “What’s Going On” Topping the R&B Charts for 5 Weeks and it was his Biggest Selling Single (to date) with over 2 Million Copies Sold!

On the back of the single’s Success, MG Recorded and Released his first Concept Album (of the same name) it contained tracks concerning Poverty, Taxes, Pollution and Drugs, this was something Different and New from Marvin Gaye!


The Album was released on May 21st 1971, it became a Million Seller and was MG’s First Crossover Album.


All the tracks were Segued Together, MG also for the first time,  did 2 things differently, He moved away from the “Motown Sound” and never used any “Motown Producers”


All 3 Single Releases were Million Seller’s, “What’s Going On” Mercy Mercy Me and Inner City Blues, MG was the First Male Artist to have 3 Top 10 Hit Singles from one Album!


Marvin Gaye Won a few Awards around this period:
Album of the Year, “Male Singer of the Year” and Trendsetter of the Year!


DOWNLOAD  SOME MARVIN GAYE!



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PARAFFIN BUDGIE and MARVIN GAYE

I worked at the Co-op Butchery in Cobholm for around 1 Year, I believe (not 100% sure) which took me from the end of 1982 to around Autumn of 1983.


I cant remember why I finished, but what ever it was I was going to go back into Catering. My Brother-in -Law at that time worked on the Offshore Rigs, as a Steward, for a local Company, it was called OCS (Offshore Catering Company), I asked him to get me an Interview as they Employed Chefs as well!


I remember it was a lengthy time between Interview and finding out if I got the Job.

But eventually I heard that I had got the Job, so a little while after I had to go to the Head Office, to get measured for all my Chef’s gear etc, I remember I had a Special little OCS Coat you had to wear at all times! it was a lovely shade of Blue with Stripes down the arms and all their badges all over the place!


So I was all kitted out and all I had to do was wait for the Call, to say when I was going out on a Helicopter to the Gas Platform in the North Sea!

At that time I had not even been on an Airplane, let alone a “Paraffin Budgie” (as my Brother in law used to call Helicopter’s). So I had that to think about, also I would be Leaving  my Wife and Kids at Home, and working away for the first time in my Life. as well, so I was a bit Apprehensive!


By this time, me and Susan  had been Married just over 5 Years and Nathan was 5 years old and Natalie was 3 years old, so Susan did not really like me Working away, and nor did the Kids, but I needed a Job!

As for Music, I would like to go back about 10 Years before (1983) to 1973, the year after  Marvin Gaye Released  his Album “What’s Going On” He had moved to L.A to record a Soundtrack Album “Trouble Man” just after this Period Marvin Gaye had a Recording Session with Producers Freddie Perren and Fonce Mizell.

One of the Song’s to come out of that Session was a Great Track called “Where are you Going” This is a Great Track and Surprised it was never Released as a Single before it did eventually get Released on the 2001 CD, called “The Very Best Of Marvin Gaye”


Fonce Mizell also played a Great Trumpet Solo, on the Track.


The Track was Written by Edward Gordon and Larry Mizzell (Fonce’s Brother).


Incidentally Freddie Perren Produced some of the “Tavares” Music!


Donald Byrd also did a Cover of the track on his “Black Byrd” Album! which by coincidence, also included Freddie Perren and both of the Mizzell Brothers!


DOWNLOAD “WHERE ARE YOU GOING”!