April 1, 1984 Marvin Pentz Gaye, Jr., instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter, was fatally shot.
Gay was born April 2, 1939 in Washington, D.C. He started as a member of The Moonglows in 1958 and after they disbanded in 1960, he moved to Detroit, Michigan and signed with Motown Records.
Gaye experienced his first significant success in 1962 as co-writer of the Marvelettes’ “Beechwood 4-5789”. This was soon followed by his first hit single, “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” (1962). Other hit singles followed in 1963 an 1964, including “Hitch Hike,” “Pride and Joy,” “Can I Get a Witness,” and “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).” In the 1970s, Gaye released several successful albums, including “What’s Going On” (1971), “Let’s Get It On” (1973), and “Live at the London Palladium” (1977).
His 1982 hit, “Sexual Healing,” won two Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. Gaye’s autobiography, “Divided Soul,” was published in 1986. In 1987, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 1996 he was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Related posts:
- April 2nd in African American History – Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. April 2, 1939 Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (Marvin Gaye), instrumentalist,...
- December 8th in African American History – Teresa Gaye Weatherspoon December 8, 1965 Teresa Gaye Weatherspoon, hall of fame basketball...
- April 29th in African American History – Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington April 29, 1899 Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, composer, pianist and...
- July 6th in African American History – Harvey Fuqua July 6, 2010 Harvey Fuqua, singer, songwriter, record producer, and...
- March 21st in African American History – John William “Johnny” Bristol March 21, 2004 John William “Johnny” Bristol, musician, songwriter and...
No comments yet.