Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye, Was Born April 2, 1939. On April 1, 1984 -- One Day Shy Of His 45th Birthday, The R&B Superstar Was Shot And Killed By His Father, Following An Argument.

The Son Of A Pentecostal Minister, Marvin Gaye Grew Up In Washington, DC, Where At The Age Of Five, He Began Singing And Playing The Organ In Church. Starting As A Member Of The Doo-Wop Group, The Moonglows, In The Late 1950's, He Began A Solo Career After The Group Broke Up And Signed With The Motown Records Subsidiary, Tamla, In 1960.

Gaye Became A Mainstay Act At Motown. His Recorded Hits Included "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)," "Ain't That Peculiar," "Can I Get A Witness," "Pride And Joy," "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough (With Tammi Terrell)," "I'll Be Doggone," "It Takes Two {With Kim Weston)," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Let's Get It On" And "Distant Lover."

During The 1970's His Music Became More Socially Conscious. His 1971 Landmark Masterpiece, WHAT'S GOING ON, Not Only Became One Of The Biggest Selling Motown Albums Ever, It Also Inspired Stevie Wonder To Record "Music With a Message."

In 1982, Marvin Gaye Received His First Grammy Award For The Now Classic, "Sexual Healing." He Was Posthumously Inducted Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame In 1987

"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.