Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was a singer-songwriter and record producer. He was one of the artists during the 60s that helped shape the sound of Motown. He started his career in a vocal quartet called The Marquees; he then was a session singer for Chuck Berry and others. He began writing songwriting after The Marquees broke up, relocated to Detroit, and became an in-house session player for Motown Records. He was one of the first artists to embark as a solo artist. His solo career was filled with numerous hits, including “Let’s Get It On, What’s Going On, and Ain’t No “Mountain High Enough,” which he sang with Tammi Terrell that Nick Ashford wrote (of Ashford and Simpson), the song is seen as a love song but, its a song of overcoming adversity or any way you want to interpret it. After putting out numerous hit singles, Gaye earned the titles “ Prince of Soul and “ Prince of Motown.” Gaye’s later work has influenced most contemporary R&B subgenres and overlooked genres such as quiet storm and neo-soul. In the late 70s, he released what is considered Gaye’s music, spoke of love, reflected on what was going on in society, and made fantastic love songs. He has been inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received numerous posthumous awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Gaye is one of the most influential artists in popular music. Gaye and his music will continue to be played, influenced, and appreciated by many artists and fans today.
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