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Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. was born on April 2, 1939, the second oldest child of domestic worker Alberta Gay and Pentecostalist minister Marvin Gay Sr. From an early age, Gaye took an ardor for singing; he believed that this vocation helped him through his severely troubled youth. Gaye's sister has stated that Gay Sr. beat Marvin often and into his teens. At 17, Gaye became a high school dropout, enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Disgruntled by the humble labor he had to do, Gaye pretended to have mental illness. The service authorized him a "General Discharge." Gaye returned to the D.C. area and set up a vocal quartet with a friend called The Marquees. Gaye's first vocal recording as a lead singer, "Mama Loocie," was recorded with Harvey and the New Moonglows, which was composed of Harvey Fuqua and members of The Marquees. After the group's dissolution in 1960, Gaye moved to Detroit. Performing at Motown head Berry Gordy's house, Gaye drew Gordy's interest; the ensuing sale of Fuqua's part of Gaye's contract led to Gaye signing with Motown company Tamla. Gaye initially wanted a career as a standards and jazz performer. After numerous album releases and chart successes, in 1971, Gaye saw the release of his concept album What's Going On. It was his first platinum-selling album and earned him much critical praise. His next project would be the score and soundtrack to the 1972 blaxploitation film, Trouble Man. In 1981, advised by music promoter Freddy Cousaert, tax exile Gaye moved into Cousaert's Ostend apartment in Belgium. Staging a personal recovery, Gaye penned the song "Sexual Healing," which would be his greatest hit, eventually doing ten weeks in the top position on the Hot Black Singles chart. The song was the first single from the album Midnight Love, which sold in excess of six million units. Gaye then went out on the Sexual Healing Tour, starting April 18, 1983, which would be his last tour. Around halfway through the year, he ended the tour, suffering paranoia stemming from cocaine use. Gaye then relocated to his parents' residence in L.A. Marvins Sr. and Jr. had growing conflict between them for months. Relatives and friends felt that Marvin Jr. was sometimes suicidally driven. One day, Gaye attempted to follow this urge with a leap from a hurtling sports car. He only received slight bruises. On April 1, 1984, Marvin Sr. yelled at Alberta about a lost insurance policy letter; they'd argued about the form for days. A severe thrashing then ensued between the two Marvins, with Marvin Sr. on the receiving end. Minutes thereafter, Marvin Sr. entered Gaye's bedroom, clutching a .38 pistol that had been bought for him by Gaye, and shot his son once in his heart and once in the shoulder. Marvin Jr.'s body was transported to California Hospital Medical Center, where at about 1 P.M., Gaye was pronounced dead on arrival. Celebrities across the world were shocked by the news of Gaye's untimely passing, from Smokey Robinson to Al Sharpton. Following Gaye's death, his awards and honors have flourished -- a fitting legacy for the man titled Prince of Soul.

Marvin Gaye - Visionär des Soul
as Self (archive footage)

Mr. Nelson on the North Side
as Self (archive footage)
They All Came Out to Montreux
as Self (archive footage)

Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!
as Self (archive footage)

1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
as Self (archive footage)

The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
as Self (archive photo)

Whitney
as Self (archive footage)

The Top Ten Revealed
as Self (archive footage)

The Summer of Love

Forensic Justice
as Self (archive footage)

Marvin Gaye - Let's get it on
as self
DJ Cinema Presents: Masterpiece Theater Blend Dvd
as Self (archive footage)

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On
as Self (archive footage)

Motor City's Burning: Detroit from Motown to the Stooges
as Self (archive footage)

What's Going On: The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye
as Self (archive footage)
Darts Tarts – Welcome to my World
as Self (archive footage)

Marvin Gaye: The Real Thing - In Performance 1964-1981
as Himself

Marvin Gaye Live In Belgium 1981
as Himself

Funky Dance Grooves
as Self

Larry presents: Best of The 80s
as Self

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
as Self (archive footage)

Prachtig 80: Volume 2
as Self

Marvin Gaye - Live In Montreux 1980
as Vocals

The Giants of Black Music
as Self

Remember Marvin Gaye
as Himself

Motown 40: The Music Is Forever
as Self (archive footage)

Death In Hollywood

Marvin Gaye: Transit Ostende

DTV: Golden Oldies
as Self

Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
as Self

Marvin Gaye: Live at Montreux
as Self

Standing Room Only: Diana Ross
as Self

The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1977
as Self

The Day the Music Died
as Self

Marvin Gaye: Greatest Hits Live '76
as Self

The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974
as Self

Save the Children
as Self

The Midnight Special
as Self

Chrome and Hot Leather
as Jim

The Ballad of Andy Crocker
as David Owens
Malibu U
as Self

Hullabaloo
as Self

The T.A.M.I. Show
as Self

Shindig!
as Self - Singer

The Hollywood Palace
as Self - Singer

Top of the Pops
as Self

Ready Steady Go!
as Self

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self

The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
Live at Amsterdam 1976
as Himself