Biography

Marvin Gaye, also known as Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr., was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He was born on April 2, 1939, in Washington, D.C. His father was a minister at a local Pentecostal church, and Marvin grew up singing gospel in church revivals. As a teenager, he ventured into secular music and joined the doo-wop group The Marquees. After serving in the United States Air Force and receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to the music scene and was hired by Harvey Fuqua to be part of Harvey & The Moonglows. In 1960, the band disbanded, and Marvin started working as a session drummer for the Detroit music label, Anna. He later signed with Motown Records in 1961, and at that time, he added an "e" to his surname. Throughout his career, Marvin Gaye's talent and music spanned over two decades.