Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. was born in Washington, D.C. on April 2, 1939. Marvin's mother was often the bread winner for the family. Marvin, Sr. was a preacher until the mid-fifties. It seemed he just lost faith and stopped preaching.

Marvin left home at 19 and went to Chicago with a new group called the Moonglows - which lasted about a year. His talent, however, was recognized immediately and in 1960 Marvin found himself at Motown records in Detroit. In 1963 he had his first hit record, "Stubborn Kinda Fella". At 22 years old, he felt he had made it.

Marvin's unique and thoughtful style questioned an entire decade, as he did in the 1970's with the song, "What Going On?" His interpretation of the National Anthem is still one of the soul classics. "Let's Get It On," was another big hit with it's sexual overtones.

The 80's brought another of his greatest hits, "Sexual Healing". Gaye was one of the most exciting performers to come out of Motown. He was an exceptional talent and will be remembered for generations to come.