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Marvin Gaye facts

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James Jamerson, regarded as the greatest electronic bass player ever, recorded Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, while being flat on his back as he was too intoxicated to stand upright. He was the uncredited bassist on most of the Motown Records hits in the 1960s and early 1970s.

how marvin gaye died?

Singer Tammi Terrell, famous for recording and performing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" with Marvin Gaye, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 22 after she collapsed on stage into Gaye's arms during a concert. Terrell died at age 24 after eight unsuccessful surgeries to cure her.

Marvin gaye what's going on lyrics?

In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across answering marvin gaye what's going on album. Here are 48 of the best facts about Marvin Gaye Lyrics and Marvin Gaye What's Going On I managed to collect.

marvin gaye what's going on?

  1. Marvin Gaye’s real last name was “Gay”. His father was a crossdresser, making Marvin a target of bullying. It was because of this, added with rumors of Marvin's own homosexuality, that Marvin added an "e" to his last name when he became famous.

  2. After Marvin Gaye recorded “What’s Going On”, he played it for Motown’s Berry Gordy Jr. who said it was “the worst thing I heard in my life.” Only after Gaye threatened to leave the label was it released, becoming massive hit and considered 4th greatest song of all time by the Rolling Stone.

  3. Marvin Gaye died from a gunshot to the heart at point blank range after intervening in an argument between his parents. His father fired the fatal shot.

  4. Marvin Gaye was fatally shot 35 years ago, one day before his 45th birthday, by his father

  5. The 4 Non Blondes' song What's Up? was titled so it wouldn't be confused with Marvin Gaye's 1971 song "What's Going On."

  6. In 1977 Marvin Gaye was ordered to give up half of the royalties of his next album to his ex wife during the divorce hearing. He then went into the studio and recorded an album detailing thier marrige and break up. He name it "Here, My dear"

  7. Legendary soul singer Marvin Gaye once decided to make a career change and become an NFL player. Although he was quickly cut from the Lions, several of their players appear as backup singers on "What's Going On".

  8. Singer Marvin Gaye once tried to commit suicide by taking an ounce (28g) of cocaine

  9. Marvin Gaye had Detroit Lions footballers (Lem Barney & Mel Farr) sing backup vocals on What's Going On after becoming friends with them during tryouts for the team.

  10. Marvin Gaye was killed by his own father

marvin gaye facts
What happened to marvin gaye?

Why did marvin gaye die?

You can easily fact check why did marvin gaye's dad shoot him by examining the linked well-known sources.

Marvin Gaye was shot and killed by his father, Marvin Gay Sr.

At the age of 31 Marvin Gaye gave up drugs and bulked up 30lbs to try out for the Detroit Lions - source

After starting his recording career in Motown, Marvin changed his name from Marvin Gay to Marvin Gaye adding the 'e' to separate himself from his father, end all gossip concerning his sexuality, and also in admiration of his idol, Sam Cooke, who also added an 'e' to his last name. - source

Wally Amos, the founder of "Famous Amos" cookies, was also a talent agent who represented Simon & Garfunkel, Marvin Gaye, and The Supremes

Before founding Famous Amos Cookies in 1975, Wally Amos worked as a talent agent for acts like Marvin Gaye, Simon & Garfunkel and The Supremes. - source

When marvin gaye died?

The bubblegum pop song "Sugar, Sugar" topped Billboard magazine in 1969, beating out legends like the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, and the Rolling Stones.

How did marvin gaye die?

When Marvin Gaye broke up with his first wife, she required a percentage of his next album, so he released an LP that was completely unsellable called "Here, my dear"

The very last line of Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing is 'It's not good to masturbate'.

How old was marvin gaye when he died?

The song "Sexual Healing" by Marvin Gaye ends with the words "its not good to masturbate"

Paranoid someone was out to kill him, Marvin Gaye wore a bullet-proof vest before performances. He later died after being shot with the gun he gave his father to protect himself.

Motown legend Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his own father after a fight between them. The murder weapon was a gun he had given his father for Christmas. His final words were, "I got what I wanted... I couldn't do it myself so I made him do it."

That, at the peak of his music career, Marvin Gaye tried out for the Detroit Lions at age 31, despite never having played football in high school or college.

Marvin Gaye tried to start a football career with the Detroit Lions not long before recording "What's Going On."

How old was marvin gaye when he died?

On May 8, 1978, Muhammad Ali boxed Marvin Gaye, Sammy Davis Jr. and Richard Pryor at a benefit fight at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles

Marvin Gaye composed 'Sexual Healing' after being inspired by reggae he heard while on his 1981 tour in Britain

Marvin Gaye was shot and killed by his father with a gun that Marvin gifted to him.

Ed Sheeran ripped off Marvin Gaye's '73 hit let's get it on and has been sued twice for infringement

Marvin Gaye tried out for the NFL Detroit Lions

The opening alto sax riff on "What's Going On?" was unintentional (the saxophonist thought he was recording a demo). When Marvin Gaye heard the playback, he let the sax player go. When the player said he was "just goofing around", Marvin replied, "Well, you goof off exquisitely. Thank you."

Marvin Gaye was originally born "Marvin Gay"

Ray Parker Jr. (performer of the hit song "GhostBusters"), was a successful guitar session player in the 60's and 70's. he wrote songs, recorded, and performed with the Likes of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Barry white and many others.

Singer Smokey Robinson was so shocked by the news of Marvin Gaye’s murder that he thought it was a morbid April fool’s joke. Of hearing the news Robinson said he thought "that’s a lie, because this is April Fool’s Day." Marving Gaye died April 1, 1984.

The song “Let’s get it on” by Marvin Gaye does not start with “I’ve been feelin’ dry” but rather “I’ve been really trying”.

George Clooney and Jay Leno wanted guest spots on South Park. They were the voices of Stan's Gay Dog and Cartman's Cat. Jerry Seinfeld also wanted to be a guest, but declined to be the voice of the turkey in Starvin Marvin (8:06).

Marvin Gaye's version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the 1983 All-Star game was initially criticized, but has since gained widespread acceptance as a groundbreaking musical performance

The song "Islands In The Stream" was written by the Bee Gees to be performed by Marvin Gaye. It turned out to be a #1 hit for Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton instead.

The Nightshift by the commodores was a dedication to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson

Rolling Stone music reviewer David Ritz claims to have written the Marvin Gaye song “Sexual Healing” and came up with the idea upon seeing Marvin’s collection of “sadomasochistic books, full of cartoon drawings of women who were sexually brutalized”.

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