Marvin Gaye

Amen to that, brother. I loved Marvin Gaye's music and was interested in how he evolved musically and his creativity evolved.

His Dad was in torment, as well. They seemed to

I heard it through the grapevine !

I love his music, and it will live on forever. RIP Marvin!

(oops...truncated post..my fault)

They (his Dad and he) seemed to have a very strange relationship. In 1984, Marvin was fatally shot the night before his 45th birthday . His Dad (Marvin Sr.) shot him, 1984, while Marvin attempted to break up a fight (betw his Dad and Mom) over a lost business document . It was later revealed that Marvin and his Dad had been an early fist fight.

At some point perhaps during the murder trial, it was revealed that Marvin Sr. he had a brain tumor. Inconclusive how this may have affected his beahvior...but the resultant trial's legal outcome was manslaughter, as opposed to murder conviction.

Due to Marvin's independence and creative energy and spirit, he pushed back against the Motown's Pres. Berry Gordy rigid formulaic direction. He set the precedent for this creative tone and paved the way for independent giants Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.

As an aside, William Smokey Robinson (William!!) co-wrote with Gaye:
Ain't that Peculiar
I'l Be Doggone

Wish 'the Smoke" would get back to those kinds of sounds. I was disappointed with his most recent album.

As is the case with many creative artists, they have difficulty writing those incredible masterpieces. Bob Dylan described Smokey as his favorite poet and writer back around early '70s (e.g. 'Tears of a Clown').

Marvin sang the best presentation of the National Anthem I've ever heard. If you haven't heard this before... enjoy...

mighty good. Impeccable timing, phrasing and melodic accuracy. I miss the guy.