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Home , Bo Diddley, Divided Soul, Edwin Starr, Harvey Fuqua, Marvin Gaye, Sexual Healing

Biography

orn 1939 in Washington, D.C, Marvin ed piece called “The South’s Problems”, BPentz Gay Jnr (who later added the and a piece covering opera Marion “e” to his name1) was one of four born to a Evans’ refusal from a performance at the mother he remained devoted to throughout Constitutional Hall by the Daughters of the his life and a father whose cross-dressing American Revolution. As Dyson writes, ‘the tendencies he reportedly found both same forces of poverty and racial conflict’ humiliating and confusing. A minister for that underpinned these two stories ‘shaped a small Hebrew Pentecostal sect, according the young Gaye’s life.’4 By all accounts to his daughter, Marvin Gay Snr. was not (except, occasionally Gaye’s own5), his was one to “spare the rod” when it came to a highly regimented, austere and terrorised his children.2 Violence coursed through childhood. Gaye’s life (in a BBC Radio 2 documentary Escaping from his troubled home-life, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Gaye dropped out of high-school aged 17 What’s Going On, Gaye also alluded to and joined the Air Force for a short stint frequent scuffles with boss Berry but was discharged owing to his inability Gordy), culminating in his violent death at to obey authority;6 a trait that would the hands of his father in 1984. find further resonance in his fractious relationship with the Motown machine. An austere and terrorised childhood Building on the love of doo-wop he had As depicts it: ‘[t] fostered throughout school, Gaye joined a he world into which Gaye was born in variety of D.C bands in the late fifties and Washington, D.C – much like the world early sixties. One, , was his music would resonate – was torn by discovered by and signed to racial conflict.’3 According to Dyson, the Okeh, then . When manager edition of published moved to , Gaye on the day Gaye was born featured an op- moved with him. Gaye was taken on by 90 ‘Things Ain’t what they used to be’ Biography

Motown as a session drummer, playing aspirations during this period were far or Sammy Davis Jr and was of stage-fright that led Gaye to retreat bands like , the removed from the upbeat party songs or heavily influenced by the -inflected from public view at the end of the sixties. Marvelettes and the Spinners. soul ballads for which he became known. phrasings of .7 Subsequently Between ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ An early record of jazz standards had expressing his frustration with the Motown and What’s Going On, he ventured into Motown family failed to chart but Gaye retained visions system in an interview with Rolling production work for other artists. Worn Gaye became a staple member of the of himself as a crooner in the mould of a Stone’s Ben Fong-Torres, Gaye described out from chasing after Anna Gordy-Gaye, Motown family (also himself as a ‘free-thinking person’ who whom he suspected of infidelity, Gaye’s marrying Berry did not respond well to ’s mind took a turn. As he told an interviewer Gordy’s sister Anna regimented, assembly-line approach: in the late , leading up to the making of in 1964), churning Invariably, when you are a free-thinking What’s Going On: ‘I stopped thinking about out hits throughout person, one who feels he or she has my erotic fantasies and started thinking the sixties - from something on the ball, and involved in a about the [Vietnam] war.’10 Increasingly the apt ‘Stubborn group of people who are in power, and aware of his country’s slide into chaos and Kinda Fellow’ in you don’t become part of the power … or violence- what with Vietnam, the 1967 race 1963, to his run of bend toward it, or…that’s the problem riots in Detroit and the with Tammi right there. It was power against me, (1970) - Gaye was also under keen pressure Terrell (whose and I didn’t like the feeling of made to from Berry Gordy to produce another premature death in do something simply because a bunch of hit. As Gaye told biographer : 1970 from a brain people said this is that I should do […] and My phone would ring, and it’d be Motown tumour greatly the biggest insult was that they always wanting me to start working and I’d say, affected Gaye), claimed they recognized me as talent […] ‘Have you seen the paper today? Have to the paranoid but they never proved it by letting me do you read about these kids who were killed torment of ‘Heard my own thing.8 at Kent State?’ The murders at Kent State it Through the It was this sense of being treated ‘as though made me sick. I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t Grapevine’ in 1968. I’m a robot’9 coupled with grief over Tammi stop crying. The notion of singing three- However, Gaye’s Terrell’s death and clustering attacks minute songs about the moon and June 92 ‘Things Ain’t what they used to be’ Biography

didn’t interest me. Neither did instant- Me (The Ecology)’ where ‘things ain’t what Al and Obie message songs.11 they used to be.’15) Speaking to, if not Benson were already Yet according to Ritz, in 1970 ‘message directly about, the spiritual overtones of working on a song of songs were selling. Edwin Starr’s ‘War’ hit Gaye’s album, Hall writes: Somewhat like the same title and, it big, John and Yoko were hot and so were the religious revivals of the Seventeenth according to Benson, Simon and Garfunkel.’12 But imagining and Eighteenth centuries, individuals as ‘all the music was himself as both cultural commentator diverse as Martin Luther King, James already there’18 before and divine conduit, Gaye saw the artist’s Baldwin [...] and many others demanded Gaye heard the track for purpose as to shock audiences into new that Americans face up to a deteriorating the first time. That said, states of consciousness. His sense that ‘an social order.16 Gaye added lyrics to the artist, if he is a true artist, is only interested Motown has track, produced it and in one thing and that is to wake up the characterised What’s Going On as a sonic brought in his friends minds of men’ was not an affect that could call to attention: We as a people have from the be achieved in three minutes alone.13 short attention spans and we need to be to add the snippets lectured. And he was lecturing the people of conversation that A sonic call to attention with those songs that were going right punctuate ‘What’s According to James C. Hall, for many into each other like that.17 Going On’ - lending it the African-American artists throughout the As a form, the was the feeling of ‘a successful , there was a rising and ‘fundamental format for Gaye’s messages of equality, social festivity’ rather disbelief in the inherent goodness of the ecology, pacifism and an end to familial What’s Going On. Inspired by the horror- than ‘of uprisings or offerings of modernity’14, fed by events such discord. Providing him with the expressive stories Frankie Gay (Gaye’s brother) told demonstrations,’19 as Eric Henderson puts as the Birmingham, Alabama bombings latitude he had felt lacking from the returning from Vietnam, coupled with the it. The listener becomes interlocutor – an of 1963. This disbelief permeates What’s 3-minute format, What’s Going On is the violence witnessed in San Francisco by effect heightened by the multi-layering Going On with its often prelapsarian sound of an artist driving his message home Renaldo “Obie” Benson when he was on of Gaye’s vocal throughout the record. longings for a better time (especially the but taking in the scenery along the way. tour with the , ‘What’s Going This conversational, anecdotal register case in the regretful refrain of ‘Mercy Mercy ‘What’s Going On’ was written before On’ was a joint effort. Motown songwriter continues throughout What’s Going On, 94 ‘Things Ain’t what they used to be’ Biography

especially in ‘What’s Happening Brother’, politics comes out in a 1972 What’s Going On is an album of questions; insistent, his melodies ruminate, swing where Gaye imagines his brother returning interview. When asked whether he intended from that implied by the title track with and lazily stretch back (the exception from Vietnam to an America he no longer to continue with ‘more serious work’ its double-meaning - Gaye is going to tell being the bluesy opening and spiralling understands, wondering whether ‘things after What’s Going On, Gaye responds: us “what’s going on” but he also wants flutes of ‘Right On’, although this too are really gettin’ better, like the newspapers If you notice, I never stepped on anybody’s us to ask - to the plaintive ‘where did all has a distinctively languorous feel). But said.’20 toes and I didn’t intend to. Somebody said the blue skies go?’ of ‘Mercy Mercy Me lecture he does, according to Motown’s The appeal of ‘What’s Going On’ and, to the other day, “That’s a fine black album.” (The Ecology).’ Of the latter, David Kahn Lamont Dozier. Describing the segues some extent, of What’s Going On rests on its I said, “Wait a minute. The word ‘black’ is points out that Gaye refuses to provide any between tracks on the album Dozier combination of specificity and abstraction. not in my album from the A side to the B pat answers: The song’s refrain “Mercy suggests that Gaye wanted to give the Whilst Gaye was explicit about the specific side.” I was very careful not to do any of mercy me, things ain’t what they used to feeling of an unfolding sermon, as well as events (Vietnam, Kent State, the Detroit those things.22 be” offers a powerful lament that Gaye a conversation: [Gaye] was trying to keep riots) that impacted upon his conception Gaye’s caution can, obviously, be then builds upon by singing of the ways the whole thought [with the formatting of of the album, he was also keen to stress attributed to the universal, no-race vision in which overpopulation, mass extinction the album]. He had a thought about why the universality of its message: I wanted that permeates What’s Going On. As of species, toxicity, oil spills and the like we’re having problems in this world […] to write an album that could be translated Michael Eric Dyson identifies, one could waste the planet and threaten existence. he had these songs running into each other into any language and it would still hold ‘fix on Gaye’s political anthem and make it With no positive message offered as a so the thought would not break.26 its meaning and not be particularly an personal.’23 But one can also detect Gaye’s counterpoint, Gaye’s song thus represents Although the album has many moods, this ethnic statement that other nations or desire not to be pigeonholed as a one-issue a kind of and gospel of spiritual sense of a ‘whole thought’ is amplified by the people couldn’t get into.21 wonder, harking back to his distaste for mourning.25 recurrence of phrases (melodic and lyrical) “instant message songs” expressed earlier, Hearkening back to past times (‘things throughout the album - especially the calls Cautious as well as a desire, surprising though it ain’t what they used to be’), the mournful to familial reconnection of ‘What’s Going Gaye was eager that What’s Going On not might seem, to fly below the political radar: impact of the song is belied by its laidback On.’ As Kahn gestures towards above, Gaye be branded a “race album”, despite the ‘[s]ome of these guys go around and think cadences and almost exultant opening. resembles nothing so much as a preacher, explicit social commentary of songs such they’re crusaders […] A lot of people don’t Throughout What’s Going On, Gaye relies albeit one who draws his highs from places as ‘Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna want you saving the world. They like it the on his lyrics rather than his rhythms to more terranean than the church (cf. ‘Flyin’ Holler.)’ His uneasiness regarding identity way it is. You gotta be careful.’24 do the lecturing- whilst his messages are High (In the Friendly Sky)’). What’s Going 96 ‘Things Ain’t what they used to be’ Biography

On is an album steeped in Pentecostal success. Gaye told Motown that unless they foreboding. David Ritz puts it thus: The allowed him to release the album, he would fundamentalist Christian view of Marvin never record for them again: ‘[t]hat was my Gaye would see him as a fallen preacher. ace in the hole and I had to play it.’31 Coming Born with the sacred power to transmit out from under the Motown thumb, Gaye Jesus’ love through heavenly song, his blazed the trail for other Motown artists religious responsibility was, at least in such as who would mount Marvin’s own mind, clear.27 his own fair share of musical protests in Indeed, when called upon to give an account the 1970s. Ex-Motowner of the process behind What’s Going On, would also make his own ‘Mercy Mercy Me Gaye would often abdicate responsibility (The Ecology)’ with 1995’s ‘Earth Song’, but – saying on one occasion ‘[it] was a very perhaps the less said about that moment in divine project and God guided me all the his oeuvre, the better. way. I don’t remember a great deal about Lamont Dozier has described What’s Going it.’28 On as: almost one constant chant that It was certainly an album that Berry keeps pounding at your head to get you to Gordy tried hard to forget. Upon hearing understand that there has to be change in ‘What’s Going On’, Gordy apparently this world and we can only do it ourselves, named it the ‘worst record’ he had ever by as a people.32 heard.29 Gordy has admitted himself ‘when Certainly, the album turned around Gaye’s wanted to do a protest album, critical reception – whilst he had always I was petrified’30, afraid that such political been celebrated for his vocal abilities, fare would trash Gaye’s reputation as the now these vocals were coupled with a new premier Motown pin-up. Although accounts political swagger. As David Ritz recounts differ as to how the track was eventually ‘the NAACP [National Association for the released, released it was – to instant chart Advancement of Coloured People] gave 98 ‘Things Ain’t what they used to be’ Biography

Marvin their fifth annual Image Award, sure: taxes, death and trouble.’35 In 1973, by his father, whilst trying to break up an 3 Michael Eric Dyson, Mercy, Mercy Me: The Love, Art and Demons of Marvin Gaye. New naming him the “nation’s most socially Gaye created the soundtrack to a thousand argument between his parents. Initially York: Civitas Books, 2004, 5-6. significant entertainer,” as well as the seductions with Let’s Get It On, followed by charged with first-degree murder, when 4 Ibid. 33 5 Occasionally, Gaye would paint his childhood year’s best singer and producer.’ Gaye was the more neurotically yearning I Want You it was discovered that Marvin Gay Snr. relationship with his father as much more invited to headline Martin Luther King Day in 1976. Here, My Dear, released in 1978 had a brain tumor, he received a six-year amicable than it was. See, for example, the interview with Ben Fong-Torres (details below). (although he didn’t show up). The album was Gaye’s sonic payoff to his ex-wife Anna suspended sentence. 6 Gaye gives his own account of this in the remained on the Billboard Album charts Gordy Gaye. Commercially unsuccessful at Caught throughout his life ‘between “What’s Going On” PBS documentary. 7 discusses Gaye’s love for for over a year and reviews were glowing, the time, on its re-release in 1994 it was hot sex and high spirituality’, as David Nat King Cole in a BBC Radio 2 documentary th if often containing a note of surprise as in critically reappraised as a work equal in Ritz puts it, Marvin Gaye not only made it aired to commemorate the 40 anniversary of What’s Going On. Aired August, 2011: http:// this response from Rolling Stone’s Vince craft to What’s Going On. possible for other Motown artists to break www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013ds1b Aletti: Ambitious, personal albums may Mired in cocaine addiction, with a huge for creative freedom, he achieved the rare 8 Marvin Gaye interviewed by Ben Fong- Torres, ‘Honor Thy Brother-in-Law,’ Rolling be a glut on the market elsewhere, but at IRS bill, a second divorce and consuming feat – a concept album that pleased as well Stone, April 27, 1972. Reprinted in Not Fade Motown they’re something new [...] There paranoia, in the late 1970s Gaye once again as preached. In their paean to passed soul Away: A Backstage Pass to 20 Years of Rock & Roll. Berkeley: Miller Freeman, 1999, 84. are very few performers who could carry retreated from public view and moved to singers, ‘Nightshift’, The get 9 Gaye, ibid. 10 Marvin Gaye, Motown on Showtime a project like this off. I’ve always admired Hawaii, then London, and then Belgium. it right: ‘Marvin, he was a friend of mine/ 1988/2010: . Marvin Gaye, but I didn’t expect that he 1983’s ‘’ from the Midnight And he could sing a song/ His heart in every 11 Marvin Gaye talking to David Ritz for 37 : the Life of Marvin Gaye. Kindle would be one of them. Guess I seriously Love album crossed the troubled spirit of ‘I line.’ edition. 12 Ibid. underestimated him. It won’t happen Want You’ with the unabashed lust of ‘Let’s Endnotes 34 13 Marvin Gaye, Motown on Showtime. again. Get It On.’ Touring the album, Gaye’s stage 1 Biographer David Ritz has speculated that 14 James C. Hall, Mercy, Mercy Me: African- Gaye added the “e” to distinguish himself from For the rest of the seventies – indeed, for the fright manifested, perversely, in increasing American Culture and the American Sixties. his father, see: Divided Soul: the Life of Marvin Oxford: , 2001, 4. rest of his career – Gaye would continue to exhibitionism – he often ended ‘Sexual Gaye. Da Capo Press, 1985. Kindle edition. 15 Marvin Gaye. ‘Mercy Mercy Me (The Michael Eric Dyson argues that the change surprise. Trouble Man, the soundtrack to Healing’ either in an open silk robe or just Ecology)’ from What’s Going On. Tamla, 1971. of surname was to avoid the connotation of 16 Hall, 6. the blaxpoitation movie of the same name, in his underwear, performing, as David homosexuality (see details below). 17 Lamont Dozier, speaking in What’s Going 2 Jeanne Gaye, interviewed for “What’s Going saw Gaye in a contemplative, bluesier mode, Ritz sees it ‘a sad parody of himself.’36 On. BBC Radio 2, [51.39]. On.” Part of the series for 18 As told to David Ritz for Divided Soul. especially in the title track which sees Gaye By spring of the following year, Marvin PBS, aired May 7, 2008 . http://www.pbs.org/ 19 Eric Henderson, What’s Going On, album wnet/americanmasters/episodes/marvin-gaye/ musing darkly ‘there’s only three things for Gaye was dead - shot twice in the chest review for Slant Magazine. November 10, whats-going-on/73/ 2003. 100 ‘Things Ain’t what they used to be’

20 Marvin Gaye. ‘What’s Happening Brother’ from What’s Going On. Tamla, 1971. 21 Marvin Gaye, speaking in What’s Going On, BBC Radio 2, [32.06]. 22 Marvin Gaye, ‘Honor Thy Brother-in- Law.’85. 23 Michael Eric Dyson, Mercy Mercy Me: The Arts, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye. Basic Civitas Books, 2004, 1. 24 Marvin Gaye, ‘Honor Thy Brother-in-Law.’ 85. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 25 Richard Kahn, ‘‘Environmental Activism in Music’, in Music in American Life: The Ruth Charnock has a DPhil in Eng- Songs, Stories, Styles and Stars that Shaped lish Literature from the University of Our Culture, ed. Jacqueline Edmondson, ABC- CLIO, forthcoming. Sussex and teaches there as a Tu- 26 Lamont Dozier, interviewed for What’s Going On, BBC Radio 2. torial Fellow in 19th and 20th cen- 27 Ritz, Divided Self. tury English literature. Her thesis is 28 Marvin Gaye, speaking on What’s Going On, BBC Radio 2. entitled ‘Touching Stories: perfor- 29 Jack Ryan, Recollections: The Detroit Years. mances of intimacy in the diary of The Motown Sound by the People Who Made It. Glendower Media, 1982. 36. Anaïs Nin’ and her research inter- 30 Berry Gordy, interviewed for Showtime ests included histories of feminism, Motown. 31 As told to David Ritz, Divided Soul. psychoanalysis, life-writing, intima- 32 Lamont Dozier, speaking on What’s Going cy and modernism. Currently, she On, BBC Radio 2. 33 David Ritz. is preparing work for publication on 34 Vince Aletti, What’s Going On: Album graphomania, modernist affect and Review. Rolling Stone Magazine, 5th August, 1971. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/ Anaïs Nin and second-wave femi- albumreviews/whats-going-on-19710805 nism. She lives in Brighton, U.K. 35 Marvin Gaye, ‘Trouble Man.’ From Trouble Man. Tamla, 1972. 36 David Ritz. 37 The Commodores, ‘Nightshift.’ From Nightshift. Motown, 1985.