X
Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
Marvin Gaye Biography
Birth Name:
Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.
Birth Place:
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Profession
Singer, songwriter, producer
Fast Facts
- Started singing at the age of 3 in his father's church
- First hit record, "Stubborn Kind of Fellow," came in 1962 when he was with the Motown label
- Had numerous duet partners, but his most successful singing partnership was with Tammi Terrell, beginning in 1967
- His groundbreaking 1971 album What's Going On, which featured songs with political and social messages, changed the direction of R&B music
- Wrote the score for the movie Trouble Man in 1972
- At the 1983 NBA All-Star Game, rendered a crowd-pleasing, soulful version of "The Star-Spangled Banner
- " Was shot to death by his father in 1984
Relationships
- Frankie Gaye -- Brother
- Anna Gordy -- Ex-wife
- Janis Hunter -- Ex-wife
- Marvin Pentz Gay Sr. -- Father
- Michael Cooper -- Half Brother
- Alberta Cooper Gay -- Mother
- Jeanne Gay -- Sister
- Zeola Gaye -- Sister
- Frankie Gaye -- Son
- Marvin Pentz Gaye III -- Son