366Art | Marvin Gaye

Today is the birthday of Marvin Gaye, one of the most iconic figures in soul music history. The portrait above and his portrait on the musical reference / birthday calendar below, were made by me, Frieke.

Marvin Gaye was born on April 2, 1939 in Washington. He tragically passed away on April 1, 1984 at the age of 44. His father was a minister of the Apostolic Church, his mother a teacher. Gaye's childhood was not easy as there was often domestic violence. This had a profound impact on Gaye, which is often heard in his lyrics. As a child, Gaye was interested in music and sang in his father's church choir. He quickly developed a passion for jazz and blues, and learned to play various instruments, including piano and drums. He was also a member of several local music groups before starting his career in the music industry.

Gaye began his career in the 1960s at Motown Records. Stubborn Kind of Fellow  was Gaye's first hit. In the following years, he became one of the most popular Motown singers with hits such as: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Ain't That Peculiar, I Heard It Through the Grapevine and Abraham, Martin and John. He also collaborated with other Motown artists such as Tammi Terrell, with whom he recorded hits like: Ain't No Mountain High Enough, You're All I Need to Get By  and Your precious love 

After the death of Tammie Terrell in 1970 from a brain tumor, Gaye's musical style evolved to more complex and personal themes, resulting in the self-produced album "What's Going On". This album is considered one of the greatest and most influential soul albums of all time. The album addresses various social issues such as war, poverty and environmental pollution, and is praised for its profound lyrics and musical experiments.

Marvin Gaye had a tumultuous life characterized by marital problems and a struggle with drugs, which had a significant impact on his career and personal life. During his first marriage to Anna Gordy, Gaye struggled to balance his professional obligations and his personal life, leading to tensions and conflicts. Additionally, Gaye struggled with drug addiction, primarily cocaine. After his divorce and further struggles with drug use, Gaye produced the album Let's Get It On, which showcased a more sensual and intimate approach to his music. The title track "Let's Get It On" became one of his biggest hits and is still considered one of the classics of soul music. The songs on the album Here, My Dear reflect Gaye's emotional and personal struggle during a prolonged divorce battle with Gordy. He used the songs on the album as a way to express his feelings about his failing marriage and divorce. The lyrics are honest and raw, and the music ranges from soulful ballads to funk-inspired tracks.

Marvin Gaye moved to Oostende, Belgium in the early 1980s to escape personal problems and overcome his drug addiction. During this period, Gaye worked on his recovery and recorded the album Midnight Love featuring the iconic hit Sexual Healing. Gaye found Oostende to be a peaceful place to recover and work on his music, away from the hustle and bustle of his life in the United States. Although his time in Oostende was relatively short, it was an important part of his life and career, and is often remembered as a period of personal growth and artistic renewal.

Marvin Gaye's life tragically came to an end on April 1, 1984 when he was shot by his father during a family conflict in their home in Los Angeles, California. The death of Marvin Gaye was a tragedy that shocked the music world and prematurely ended the life of one of the most talented and influential artists in music history.