Marvin Gaye: Prince of Motown, His Songs Influenced Contemporary R&B Subgenre

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Photo Source: Motown/UMe

FEMUSINDO.com - Marvin Gaye or commonly called Gaye, with the birth name Marvin Pentz Gay Jr, was born in Washington, D.C., United States, on April 2, 1939.

Gaye was a singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was a musician who greatly influenced the Motown style of music in the 1960s.

In addition, he was also a session player on the Motown stage, and later as a solo musician with a series of hits, so he was nicknamed the "Prince of Motown" and the "Prince of Soul Music".

Gaye's songs at Motown, including "Ain't That Peculiar", "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", as well as duet recordings with Mary Wells, Kim Weston, Diana Ross, and Tammi Terrell.

First Major Motown Artist

During the 1970s, he recorded the albums What's Going On and Let's Get It On and became one of the first major Motown artists, along with Stevie Wonder, to be independent of Motown.

His recordings and songs later influenced several contemporary R&B subgenres, such as quiet storm and neo soul.

After a brief period in Europe to evade domestic taxes in the early 1980s, Gaye released the 1982 hit "Sexual Healing", which won him his first Grammy Award, and its parent album Midnight Love.

Final Performances

Gaye's final televised appearances were at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game, where he sang "The Star-Spangled Banner", Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever; and Soul Train, which was his third and final performance.

On April 1, 1984, Marvin Gaye was murdered by his father, Marvin Gay Sr. He was shot by his father with a gun at close range, at their home in the West Adams district of Los Angeles, United States.

Since his death, many institutions have given Gaye posthumously awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and he has been inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (*)