When and where was Marvin Gaye born?
Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr. was born on the 2nd of April 1939 in Washington, D.C. He grew up in the Fairfax Apartments, a public housing project known as Simple City, which lacked electricity and running water.
Common questions about Marvin Gaye
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who was Marvin Gaye's father and how did he treat him?
Marvin Gaye's father was Marvin Gay Sr., a strict minister who ruled the household with an iron fist and delivered brutal whippings for any perceived shortcoming. The young Marvin described living with his father as akin to living with a king who was peculiar, changeable, cruel, and all-powerful.
What album did Marvin Gaye release in 1971 to challenge Motown?
Marvin Gaye released What's Going On in 1971, an album that redefined the boundaries of soul music and social commentary. He fought against Motown president Berry Gordy to release the record, which sold over two million copies and addressed issues like the Vietnam War and environmental concerns.
Where did Marvin Gaye flee to in the late 1970s to avoid IRS tax debts?
Marvin Gaye fled to Ostend, Belgium, in the late 1970s to avoid imprisonment due to IRS tax debts that had reached $4.5 million. He lived in a modest apartment there, attended church, and began to recover from his drug addiction before returning to the United States.
How did Marvin Gaye die and when did it happen?
Marvin Gaye died on the 1st of April 1984 after being shot twice by his father, Marvin Gay Sr., during a physical altercation at his parents' home in Los Angeles. He was pronounced dead at 1:01 p.m. at California Hospital Medical Center.