Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye was born in 1939 in Washington D.C., to an abusive preacher as a father, and a school teacher for a mother. He was born with a love of music, and began playing the piano in his father's church. To escape the beatings from his father, he dropped out of high school and joined the Air Force. After being discharged years later, he played the piano at a Motown Christmas Party and caught the attention of Barry Gordy. Gordy immediately signed him under Motown Records, however Gaye was slow in his early career with Motown. He desired to be a solo artist, but Gordy wanted him to be a star in a musical group. At first, Gordy put Gaye as the drummer and pianist for the Miracles, but later signed Gaye as his own artist, as he proved himself as an avid songwriter. Gaye consistently put songs on the #1 Spot, with songs including "I heard it though the Grapevine" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".
Marvin Gaye was known through Motown history for having disagreements with Barry Gordy. Although Gaye's consistently showed on Billboard's Top 100, he was never happy with the music he produced with Motown. Gaye wanted to write about more social problems such as politics, poverty, and discrimination, however Gordy wanted to focus on lyrics containing messages of romance. In Gaye's album "What's Going On" he explored topics in his lyrics regarding poverty, discrimination, politics, drug abuse and the environment. The album was a hit, but this album was the beginning of Gaye's personal struggles. He faced drug addiction, and a long divorce with Gordy's sister Anna Gordy. Although his music was still successful, his life was in turmoil.
He left Motown Records in 1982, and at the height of his cocaine addiction, was forced to move back to D.C. with his parents. In 1984, he was shot and killed by his father. His influence in American Culture earned him his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Marvin Gaye was known through Motown history for having disagreements with Barry Gordy. Although Gaye's consistently showed on Billboard's Top 100, he was never happy with the music he produced with Motown. Gaye wanted to write about more social problems such as politics, poverty, and discrimination, however Gordy wanted to focus on lyrics containing messages of romance. In Gaye's album "What's Going On" he explored topics in his lyrics regarding poverty, discrimination, politics, drug abuse and the environment. The album was a hit, but this album was the beginning of Gaye's personal struggles. He faced drug addiction, and a long divorce with Gordy's sister Anna Gordy. Although his music was still successful, his life was in turmoil.
He left Motown Records in 1982, and at the height of his cocaine addiction, was forced to move back to D.C. with his parents. In 1984, he was shot and killed by his father. His influence in American Culture earned him his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.