By bigdaddyg2k4 (205.138.54.1) on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 05:34 pm:

On Thursday April 1, 2004, we at SoulfulDetroit.com and the millions of fans the world over will reflect, remember and honor the memory of one of music's greatest singers/songwriters/producers of all time, and an all-around icon of a generation, Mr. Marvin Gaye, on the 20th Anniversary of his death. On April 1, 1984, Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his father, the Reverend Marvin Gay, Sr. during a heated argument at his parents home in Los Angeles. He was one day shy of his 45th birthday when the tragedy occured. Here is a short bio on the legendary superstar; of course, new and longtime members of the SD forum can add their own words and thoughts to this thread as much as possible and very recommended that they can do so. We are very anxious to hear many comments and stories about him, especially those who have met the superstar themselves so their experiences will shine an even greater light on who this man who has changed all of our lives forever as the consummate performer, human being and legend. Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. was born on April 2, 1939 in Washington, D.C. as the son of a Apostolic preacher. He started singing at the age of 3 in church and was soon playing the organ as well. As a young adult he did a stint in the U.S. Air Force, but returned to D.C. and starting singing in streetcorner doo wop groups, including a local group, the Rainbows. He formed his own group, the Marquees in 1957. Under the support of blues legend Bo Diddley, they cut a song for the Okeh label titled "Wyatt Earp" in that same year. In 1958, Harvey Fuqua heard the group and enlisted them to become the latest version of his ever-changing backing ensemble, The Moonglows. As such, Marvin was heard on the song "Mama Loochie" and other song for the Chess label in 1959.

In the early Sixties, the group was touring widely. While playing a club date in Detroit, they were heard by local impersario, Berry Gordy, Jr., who quickly signed Gaye to his flegling Motown label in 1961 (then eventually assigned to the subsiduary, Tamla). Soon after, Marvin married Gordy's sister, Anna. Marvin's first duties at Motown were as a session drummer (he played on all the early hits for Smokey Robinson and The Miracles), but scored his first hit with his fourth release, "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" in 1962. Over the next 10 years, working with nearly every producer at Motown (including Holland-Dozier-Holland, Smokey Robinson and Norman Whitfield), he enjoyed over twenty big hits. Although he specialized in mid-tempo ballads and some standards, he also had dance hits: starting in 1963 with "Hitch Hike (#30-pop), "Pride And Joy" (#10-pop-featuring backing vocals by Martha & The Vandellas), the 12-bar blues "Can I Get A Witness" (#22-pop-featuring The Supremes as backing vocals) and "Baby Don't You Do It" in 1964. But by and large he favored romantic, sometimes sensual ballads. His Top Ten his included "I'll Be Doggone" (#8-pop, #1 R&B, 1965), "Ain't That Peculiar (#8-pop, #1 R&B) and "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" (#6-pop). Additionally in 1964, Marvin was teamed with Mary Wells for a couple of hits, "Once Upon A Time" (#19-pop) and "What's The Matter With You Baby" (#17-pop), and with Kim Weston for "It Takes Two" (#14-pop), in 1967. But his greatest duets were with the late Tammi Terrell (1946-1970)from 1967 to 1969: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (#19-pop), "Your Precious Love" (#5-pop), "If I could Build My Whole World Around You" (#10-pop), "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" (#8-pop, #1 R&B), "You're All I Need To Get By" (#7-pop, #1 R&B) and "Keep On Lovin' Me Honey" (#24-pop); all written (except for "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You") and produced by Ashford & Simpson. In a 1967 concert at Hampton College in Hampton, Va., Tammi collapsed into his arms onstage, the first sign of a brain tumor that eventually killed her three years later. Although at this time, he scored the biggest hit of his career, the #1 "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" (orignially sung by labelmates Gladys Knight & The Pips a year before, also a #1 hit) and other hits with "That's The Way Love Is" (#7-pop) and "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" (#4-pop, #1-R&B), he was withdrawn and distraught over Tammi's death and his younger brother Frankie fighting the Vietnam war and therefore began the biggest change in his career at the beginning of the Seventies.

In 1971, Marvin recorded and released in what would become the soundtrack of a generation and his biggest selling album in Motown's history, the 8 million-selling "What's Going On" (#2-pop, #1-R&B), spawning the self-titled single to the top of the charts as well (#2-pop, #1-R&B). Other hits followed that were also #1 R&B hits: "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" (#4-pop) and "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (#9-pop). "What's Going On" was an album that expressed Marvin's views about the mass murders in the Vietnam War, the political red-tape in the nation's capital, ecologial destruction and the socio-economic disenfranchisement of blacks that were the most powerful and controversial yet in Motown, while fellow artists like Stevie Wonder and The Temptations were speaking the same language opposite from the happy love songs the label was famous for. He and Stevie were one of the first Motown artists to gain complete artistic control of their records, giving them the right to write and sing subjects and issues that were important to them and to the times. But Berry Gordy was very hesitant about the album's subject matter, even so that he refused to submit the album for Grammy consideration in 1972; those differences between Marvin and Berry would last until his departure from the label in 1981. In 1972, Marvin scored his first (and only) soundtrack album of his career with the 20th Century-Fox film, "Trouble Man", giving him another hit with the title track later that year. By 1973, Marvin shifted his attention to pure eroticism with the multi-million seller "Let's Get It On" with the title track going to #1 on both charts. Later that year, he duetted with Diana Ross on the "Diana & Marvin" album with the hits "You're A Special Part Of Me" (#12-pop) and "My Mistake (Was To Love You)" (#19-pop). In 1974, the "Marvin Gaye Live" album was released and sold well; but at this time, his marriage with Anna was falling apart and began a relationship with 17-year old Janis Hunter during the sessions for "Let's Get It On" in which they met. Marvin would eventually separate from Anna and marry Janis in 1977, then giving birth to two children (one daughter, Nona, is a successful actress and singer). He would disappear for two years, returning in 1976 with another million-selling album "I Want You" (the first album in a few years not produced by Marvin himself), this time singing about relationships and monogamy as opposed to his previous studio release three years earlier.

In 1977, the double-LP "Live At The London Palladium" was released, giving what it would be his last #1 hit for Motown, "Got To Give It Up (Pt. 1). 1978 would be a very trying year for Marvin, his divorce preceedings with ex-wife were beginning. He also was in hot water with the IRS for owing back taxes that totaled over $1 million dollars, Marvin toured relentlessly to raise revenues for his pending divorce and IRS cases, but was also nursing an out of control cocaine habit that would hound him until his death. He settled the divorce case with Anna with from the proceeds of next album, the deeply autobiographical "Here, My Dear" and over $600,000 in royalties as an alimony settlement in addition to the album release (Anna later would sue him for invasion of privacy over the content of the album). From 1979-1981, he was still touring Europe but filed for Bankruptcy in an attempt to stop the IRS from collecting monies from his tour and claim on his property, all the while travelling in and out of the states, then settling in Hawaii, working on tracks for an album he would title "Love Man". But Berry Gordy would release the unfinished tracks for an album retitled "In Our Lifetime" in 1981 without Marvin's approval. That would be the final disagreement between the artist and founder, resulting him severing ties with Berry Gordy and leaving Motown after 20 years with the label (Diana Ross would leave around the same time for RCA).

Between fall 1981 and spring 1982, Marvin moved to Ostend, Belgium and began working on some songs with friend Harvey Fuqua while searching for another label. Author David Ritz (who was with Marvin for the next three years to write his biography "Divided Soul"), went to Belgium to spend time with him, and eventually co-penned the lyrics to song "Sexual Healing" (David sued Marvin for credit to the song, but later dropped the suit). Columbia exec Larkin Arnold met with Marvin to listen to the songs that he wrote and signed him to the label. The result was the comeback album "Midnight Love" and the first since leaving Motown that gave "Sexual Healing" his first #1 R&B (#3-pop) hit since "Got To Give It Up" in 1977 and eventually going Gold.

He would also perform the now-classic, soulful rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, that would be his last public performance. But it stands today as a testiment of the greatness of the greatest soul singer that ever lived in one of the greatest live performances of all-time.(his daughter Nona honored her father's memory by performing her version in a taped duet with her father in the 2004 NBA All-Star Game back in L.A.)

But the good times would be short-lived unforntunately for him. He was still battling his cocaine habit and touring heavily to pay off his debts. He would later lose his house and other property to the IRS in San Fernando Valley and move into his parents house he bought for them years earlier in L.A. From there his behavior would get worse and worse, claiming that some people was trying to kill him and being hallucogenic from the large quantities of cocaine he was taking. Family and friends were worried about him and rightfully so, him and his father have never gotten along ever since he became famous, and some people claim that his father disliked his sons success claiming that he was singing for the devil. All of that anger and animosity would come to a head in the early afternoon of April 1, 1984. Marvin, Sr. was arguing with his wife when Marvin, Jr. went to confront his father. He struck his father and went to his room where his mother joined him. His father then came to his son's room with a pistol a shot him once in the chest, killing him instantly. His father would be arrested and charged with murder, only to serve 6 years in jail and released in the early '90s, he died a few years later, also did his mother.

When you read this thread, I want you to respond with your thoughts about this fallen but not forgotten legend. And in your own way, reflect on his life and memory by playing your favorite Marvin Gaye songs, watching any programs related to him, and/or discuss with anyone in your close circle on the good things that Marvin did for us while he was here. It's very important that we must not forget this anniversary, that its hard to believe that this legendary man has left us forever, and to appreciate him for the music that will never leave us, even long after were have left this world. All I can say about this man is that he influenced and bought joy to my life with the songs of love, understanding and happiness only Marvin Gaye could express with his own brand of style and grace. I'm sure you will agree that he has done an excellent job in entertaining us, and we want keep him in our hearts forever, for it was him that made us listen and understand what's really "going on" in our beautiful, but sometimes troubled world. I thank you all for giving me the opportunity to share this with you very much.

By Dinelle (67.35.238.230) on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 05:42 pm:

Awww, Bigdaddy, that's so sweet that you put Marvin's bio on the forum.

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 05:59 pm:

Marvin Gaye solidified my status as a big-time soul fan. The Commodores got me into soul music when I was growing up....as did the early Jackson 5....as well as dad's old r&b collection.

But Marvin Gaye was sort of "my" personal favortie by the time I got into high school. I remember the year before I went into high school (1979), there was a syndicated commercial running on local stations advertising Marvin Gaye's greatest hits on two or three LPs...."Marvin Gaye...singer....composer....superstar..." was how the ad led off, and then it cut into "What's Going On"....I was entranced by that and the music in the ad.....

The big Anthology set on LP (the one that was red and folded out), I damn near wore out in those days. That was the only Marvin LP I could afford at the time and I played it and played it......

In high school I was like his personal fan and preacher.....going around spreading the gospel of Marvin while everyone else was into early Prince or Rick James or Cameo or D Train or something current......I'd come in humming or singing one of his old songs, and no one would have any idea what I was listening to! In art class, I even did a montage of Marvin images in pencil....one of my first serious studies of the human face and hands....

I got a lot of respect from my peers when Marvin scored in late 1982 with "Sexual Healing" and I looked like a genius. Suddenly they saw what I saw and said, "hey....he was right!". That felt good!

I was really into his music when April 1, 1984 rolled around.....ironically just weeks before I was to graduate high school. I was stunned and devastated, like I had lost a personal friend. In fact, it was a friend of mine who called me up and told me the news, because he knew I was a big Marvin fan.......I thought he was kidding.....but sadly, no. There were plenty of Marvin Gaye mentions in our high school yearbook signings my senior year, I can tell you that.

I read his bio by David Ritz.....and was amazed at the many things about Marvin I could relate to at the time, particularly his moral struggles......and that constant effort we all make to get things right in our heads.....

I could write and write and write about what his music meant to me and so many others, but you get the idea. I went on to discover other soul treasures in college and developed other favorites..... and gradually began to get a better handle on the total soul picture and Marvin's high place in it, as I could afford more music....and I eventually even studied some guitar.....Marvin Gaye had a lot to do with encouraging my musical interest and inspiring my life....

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 06:04 pm:

BigDaddy:
One thing I disliked about working in broadcasting was having the job to break bad news about an artist or celebrity that was loved by the public.

I was a seventeen year old control room operator for WVOR-FM in Rochester NY. Besides running tapes of oldies shows on weekends, I had to collate the newswire that came from the Associated Press & United Press International. It was a Sunday afternoon on April 1, 1984. I had just arrived to the station and went straight into the newsroom while Kathy the DJ was doing her radio show. It was about 3:15PM EST when I walked into the newsroom, ripped the printed paper off the newswire and read the following headline -

SINGER MARVIN GAYE SHOT BY FATHER - TAKEN TO AREA CALIFORNIA HOSPITAL...

I immediately ran into the on-air booth and gave the newswire to Kathy. Her eyes damned near popped out of her head when she read the copy. After the last song ended, she announced what had happened to Marvin and that the station would keep listeners posted.

About a half hour later, this came over the wire- SINGER MARVIN GAYE HAS DIED AFTER BEING SHOT BY HIS FATHER MARVIN GAY SR. OVER A FAMILY DISPUTE..

I felt like someone punched me in the gut and knocked the wind out of me. I walked slowly into the DJ booth and Kathy saw the look on my face. "Don't tell me...." , she said. I handed the newswire to her and she made the announcement immediately.

Our Program Director called minutes later and had Kathy play a Marvin Gaye song every half hour until her shift ended. He instructed me to use Marvin's tunes during the oldies show as well. The station did this for an entire week.

As long as Marvin's music is still available, played on the radio, sung by young hopefuls and veteran performers, he will not be forgotten. As long as books are available (such as David Ritz's "Divided Soul")and televsion documents his life (as VH-1 did with "Legends" years ago) and his performances (Motown 25 anyone?!? His performance of "What's Going On" will remain a classic), Marvin will be remembered.

And as long as we have places like Soulful Detroit, we can share our memories of Marvin Pentz Gaye, Jr.

Rest well, Marvin.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By LadyMystique (216.37.228.72) on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 08:02 pm:

RIP Marvin! I will always be an honorary fan of your music.

By Dinelle (67.35.238.230) on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 11:34 pm:

I always remember this day because it's always a day after Edwin Starr passed. As well as martial superstar Brandon Lee (Bruce Lee's dad) and my favorite Tejano superstar Selena.

By Eli (68.163.60.242) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 12:46 am:

I was recording at Power Station studio in NYC and my wife walks in telling me the sad news.
I thought that it was a bad April Fools joke.
It wasnt.

By JeffKirk (152.163.253.70) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 12:52 am:

I just spent 3 hours beginning to try to learn the bass line to "Whats Goin' On": all the while, I kept thinking of Jamerson (not suprisingly) as Marvins beautiful voice filled my headphones... Then came in and read this great tribute to Marvin. I had forgotten April 1... I sure miss these folks...James, "Bongo", Marvin, "Pistol", Earl,Florence,Johnny, Robert, Benny.... Maybe it's that I miss my youth by extension, but, gosh... I haven't posted before..just lurked. Hope you folks don't mind.
Thanks for the ear.....

By SisDetroit (68.42.211.240) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 12:54 am:

JeffKirk - Great Post! After reading your post, there is no doubt you have come to the right place. Welcome!

By JeffKirk (152.163.253.70) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 01:01 am:

Thank you SisD...I'll be posting more in the future, I'm sure.

JK

By zebop (152.163.253.70) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 01:09 am:

I remember Marvin Gaye's comeback was one of the nicest, seamless ones. At that point, I didn't know about the circumstances, what he was or was not doing, but I loved "Praise" and didn't hear from him again until "Sexual Healing".

Now that was something, it was like he never went away. A DJ in my area getting canned for talking about Marvin's appearance at the Grammies, you know the gum chewing, etc. I also remember his performance at Motown 25, after or before it he did this little spin when he walked, I was rolling. But in the best sense--I love and loved talking about him.

For some reason I do feel a little sad about him this year, glad to see people remember.

By Eli (68.163.58.19) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 10:39 am:

Hi Jeff Kirk!
Keep coming back, bro.

Bobby Eli

By Reese (12.15.168.69) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 10:45 am:

Tonight, Nona Gaye will be on Tavis Smiley's television show. Also appearing will be the author of the new book MERCY MERCY ME, Michael Eric Dyson.

By MusicLoverinLA (216.249.91.105) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 11:13 am:

I had the exciting pleasure of meeting Marvin Gaye on two occasions. One occasion was in the late 1960's when he appeared at a record store in L.A. and my sisters and I rushed there to see him. He signed our album covers and we were in seventh heaven. The second time was in about January,1984. I was serving jury duty in a Torrance court and he was there to take care of his IRS situation. I ran to the parking lot to talk to him and asked when he would be recording again. He said he was living in Belgium (I think it was) and was happy. I told him if he was happy then he should stay there but send us his music. I wish he had listened. A few months later I, too, thought I was hearing a very bad April fool's joke when they said he had been shot to death by his father here in Los Angeles.

By GOAT (64.228.147.230) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 11:24 am:

I remember the day Marvin Gaye was murdered. It was all over the news and many tv shows wree pre-empted to live broadcasts about his death.

I was young then 11 yrs old, and not really knowing about him too much (other than a good motown singer, and the singer for sexual healing). I just remember that the world had lost someone quite important, but I didn't really know why until years later.

Violence is the end, not the means.

PAX

By DyvaNaye (209.212.74.216) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 11:25 am:

I will NEVER get over his death. I will not forget how I found out...
I was walking my dog and pushing my daughter in the stroller through a vacant lot which is now Home Depot and the security guard flagged me down yelling 'Miss, Miss...did you hear the news about Marvin Gaye?' ...I stated ;no,...what?!' he said 'Miss, he was just shot and killed by his father...I was waitng for someone to come by to tell this to...' His voice just trailed off as we stood and listened to that radio broadcast of Frankie Crocker saying 'Ladies and Gentlemen it has been confirmed that Marvin Pentz Gaye was shot and killed by his father, Marvin Sr. today ....' I started to cry immediately...I felt like I lost a lover or something...I ran home and called everyone I could, only to find my answering machine half filled with messages from the time I walked out of the house. I still get sad thinking about it, and how I wished it were just some sort of a mistake. When I play his music I cannot explain the joy it brings, but he forever and a day will be my favorite male singer, without a doubt.

May the Lord Rest his soul and help him find a peace that surpasses all understanding.

By paulie3$hoes (68.163.58.19) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 11:28 am:

i cud youse a littel of dat eh sexal heeling rite about now, catch my drift?#$%&*()
my ol schwazool aint seen dat t'ing fer qwite a wile, capiec?@#$%^&CAPICE@#$%^&*()

By DyvaNaye (209.212.74.216) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 11:46 am:

Paulie!!! Stop stalking...not on the Marvin thread...this is a 'tribute' not a 'contribute'...lol...CAPICE?!

By dvdmike (65.208.234.61) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 01:37 pm:

Funny thing about assassinations, you always remember where you were. I had just walked in from somewhere and my brother told me. Like Bobby, I thought it was a bad April Fool's joke.

By Dinelle (66.210.229.137) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 02:01 pm:

There's nothing funny about this April Fool's Day. That's for sure.

By NYC Diva (158.57.150.226) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 03:05 pm:

Marvin's father didn't do any time because of his age. He was placed on probation, but he was never in jail.

Dyva Naye...I remember that broadcast so clearly, and after getting over my initial shock over hearing it, all I could do was cry. Hell, I didn't even know him but I wept for him like he was a close relative. After learning about all the stuff he endured in his life, I could only hope that death brought him the peace he could not find in life.

Marvin, I love you and miss you.

By Dinelle (67.35.238.230) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 12:24 am:

I miss Marvin too, NYC Diva. We all do.

My mother told me that it happened on a Sunday. She was pregnant with one of my three brothers. It was probably George. One of my dad's brothers said that Marvin Gaye was dead. My parents thought it was a big April Fool's joke. That is until they saw the news later that day. Even though I wasn't born until 4 years later, I still remember this day.

By T.L. Harris (24.0.54.208) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 01:26 am:

It is hard to believe that has been indeed 20 years since the passing of Marvin Gaye. You are one of the most well respected people to ever grace this world with your voice. With your passing a void was left that will never be filled. You will be remembered for all times.

T.L. Harris

By TRI-PHI (68.5.143.49) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 03:44 am:

MARVIN GAYE TO ME HAD ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BUT TROUBLED SOULS, HE SANG WHAT HE FELT IN HIS HEART, SOME OF HIS FINEST WORK OUT SIDE "WHATS GOING ON" AND "LETS GET IT ON" ARE "THE SOULFULL MOOD OF MARVIN GAYE" WHERE SONGS LIKE "HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN" AND "MY FUNNY VALENTINE" AND "IM AFRAID THE MASQURADE IS OVER" ARE SO WONDERFULL AND "WHEN IM ALONE I CRY" IS ANOTHER GOOD LP WHERE MARVIN SINGS TO BIG BAND ARRANGEMENTS "I WAS TELLING HER ABOUT YOU" AND "YOU'VE CHANGED" ARE MY FAVORITE TRACKS FROM THAT ALBUM "TRIBUTE TO NAT KING COLE" IS A COOD EXAMPLE ON HOW MARVIN COULD TAKE A SONG LIKE "UNFORGETTABLE" AND MAKE THE SONG HIS IN SUCH A CLASSY WAY, IM SO GLAD THERE WAS A MARVIN GAYE, AND IM THANKFULL TO HARVEY FUQUA FOR BEING THE FIRST TO SEE WHAT EVERYONE WHO LOVED MARVIN GAYE SAW IN HIM, I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND MARVIN'S FIRST 2 SINGLES "LET YOUR CONSCIENCE BE YOUR GUIDE" AND HIS VERSOIN OF "SANDMAN" WHICH IS BEAUTIFULLY SANG, HOPEFULLY I WILL FIND "SOLDIER'S PLEA" ON 45 VERY SOON, I NEVER MET MARVIN BUT I WAS VERY FORTUNATE ENOUGH THRU KIM WESTON TO MEET FRANKIE GAYE AND HE WAS A GREAT GUY TOO

By johneflart (152.163.253.70) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 07:58 am:

It's funny, but I always wished that I (or someone) could have been there to say "hey,Marvin, c'mon man, let's get out of here, let's take a walk!" Maybe changed the course of events, maybe.......... I was going through a breakup at the time, when I got that news, our breakup seemed trivial..................

By SoniT (66.106.213.162) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 11:41 am:

I'll always remember the night I heard that Marvin Gaye died. I remember it was a Sunday night. I was in my room watching TV and my brother came in and said "Marvin Gaye died." He said it like a family member had died. Then my mother was upset and she was asking me if I had heard anything on the news because she had only heard a bit of information. I'll never forget the shock and sadness in my mother's voice when she asked if I knew what happened. I can't believe it's been 20 years. It seems like yesterday. Happy Birthday Marvin! RIP

By ferg (205.188.114.167) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 12:58 pm:

I was in germany when i heard that marvin gaye was killed. My brother,sister in law and myself where were playing the what'going on lp the night before.thinking of past times and marvin's music, wondering what would be next. the next day my sister in law called from work and said marvin gaye died.I did not belive her she said turn the radio.It was a sad time for me because he was my alltime favorate singer/composer/with a keyboard style that was one of a kind.his music will live forever Happy Birthday marvin!!

By dvdmike (65.208.234.61) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 01:35 pm:

I remember being in L.A. not long after Marvin's death and driving past the Gaye home and seeing Mr. Gaye sitting out on the front porch.

By bigdaddyg2k4 (63.102.169.71) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 03:56 pm:

Today is also another bittersweet day in music history. Today would've been Marvin's 65th Birthday, and I hope his family and friends are remembering him in some form or fashion. I want to thank each and every one of you for posting your thoughts, comments and memories on the passing and subsequent birthday of the musical giant. There were some very important bits of information that I neglected in my post (such as he was awarded his first two Grammies in 1983-one of them was for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male and the mis-information about his father serving time for Marvin's murder, which it turned out to be a probation sentence-thanks to NYC Diva). All of the omissions were unintentional. I was typing in earnest as my time on the computer was running out (I was at the library) and I had to finish up as quickly as I could, in addition to my mind working at warp speed and looking at source material to post the information as accurate as possible. I apologize to the SD forum for any omissions, mistakes and misinformation that I posted. I wanted to be as accurate as possible, but some of you went out of your way to correct me in the midst of posting your comments, and I appreciate it greatly. This is one of the most important subjects we discussed so far this year and I made it my goal to the best of my ability to make this discussion one of the centerpieces of many subjects discussed in the forum without taking away the importance and significance of other posts currently and recently discussed. Again, I thank you all for giving me this opportunity to share this concern with you.

By Juicefree20 (68.161.24.39) on Friday, April 02, 2004 - 06:58 pm:

If I remember correctly, it was a Sunday. I woke up a little late & I kept hearing Marvin Gaye songs. I didn't find that to be strange, as Hal Jackson does those tribute shows from time to time. Suddenly, the news came across that he was shot & killed by his father. That was just a shock, you don't expect to hear that a icon like Marvin was murdered, by his father at that?????

After that comeback with Sexual Healing & 'Til Tomorrow, I though that he was riding high. Of course, we later learned through books like Divided Soul by David Ritz, just what was going on in Marvins' life. To most of us who were not in the know (which was just about 99% of all of his fans), the revelations were shocking & one got the feeling that we never really knew this genius. It was just a shock & I wonder if he would have conquered his demons. Somehow, I think that he grew weary & tired of his internal strife. Nevertheless, I still wonder what he would have given us had he lived. He was a musical chamelion, easily slipping out of one persona into another. One can only speculate about the direction that his music would have headed. I feel that he still had so much more to give. However, what he gave was more than sufficient. 20 years ago, wow, is that really possible?

Juice