Discography Overview
Marvin Gaye released 25 studio albums from 1961 to 1984, pioneering soul with groundbreaking albums 'What's Going On' (1971) and 'Let's Get It On' (1973). 'Sexual Healing' (1982) marked his comeback and became his final #1 hit.
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye was the Prince of Soul who transformed R&B and popular music with his sophisticated vocals and production, beginning his career with instrumental jazz and standards before evolving into a soul innovator. His 1971 album Whats Going On was groundbreaking, addressing social issues like war, poverty, and environmentalism while pioneering concept albums in R&B, and Lets Get It On established him as a romantic soul master. With over 50 million records sold, Gaye won Grammy Awards and was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, with his influence on artists from Prince to Robin Thicke being profound. His smooth, intimate vocal style set new standards for production while his 1983 comeback hit Sexual Healing from Midnight Love reached number one on Billboard Hot 100. Gaye died tragically on April 1, 1984, one day before his 45th birthday, shot by his father, but his music continues to resonate with Whats Going On consistently ranked among the greatest albums of all time.
Key Albums
- What's Going On (1971)
- Let's Get It On (1973)
- I Want You (1976)
- Here, My Dear (1978)
- In Our Lifetime (1976)
- Midnight Love (1982)
Key Songs
- I Heard It Through the Grapevine (1967)
- How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You (1964)
- What's Going On (1971)
- Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) (1971) - Environmental anthem
- Let's Get It On (1973)
- Sexual Healing (1982)
- Ain't No Mountain High Enough (1970)
- Too Busy Thinking About My Baby (1969)
- If This World Were Mine (1982)
- Got to Give It Up (1977)
- Inner City Blues (1971)
- Disturbed (1982)
Career Timeline
- 1939 Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr. born on April 2 in Washington, D.C.
- 1957 Signs with Motown Records
- 1961 Marries Anna Gordy, sister of Berry Gordy
- 1963 First R&B hit with 'Pride and Joy'
- 1964 Achieves pop breakthrough with 'How Sweet It Is'
- 1967 Records 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine'
- 1968 Achieves multiple hits including 'You Ain't Living' and 'Someday We'll Be Together'
- 1970 Achieves #1 with 'Abraham, Martin and Father'
- 1971 Releases 'What's Going On', groundbreaking concept album
- 1973 Releases 'Let's Get It On', romantic masterpiece
- 1975 Files for separation from Anna Gordy
- 1976 Releases 'I Want You', duet album
- 1978 Releases 'Here, My Dear', divorce settlement album
- 1981 Leaves Motown, signs with Columbia
- 1982 Releases 'Midnight Love' with 'Sexual Healing'
- 1983 Wins first Grammy for 'Sexual Healing'
- 1984 Dies on April 1 from gunshot wound, age 44
- 1985 Posthumously releases 'Dream of a Lifetime'
- 1987 Posthumously releases 'Romantic Adventures'
- 1991 Posthumously releases 'The Last Concert'
- 1992 Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- 2007 Rolling Stone ranks 'What's Going On' as #4 greatest album
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