Prince of Motown

* born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr on April 2, 1939 in Washington, DC

* Gained international fame during the 1960s an artist with Motown

*Became Motown's top solo male artist--fans called him the "Prince of Motown"

*Musical success in the 1960s: "Stubborn Kind of Fellow",  "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You",  "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and several duets

*In 1971 Gaye's album What's Going On became and remains one of the best albums of all time

*During the 1970s Gaye would release other notable albums, including Let's Get It On and I Want You

* Gaye convinced Berry Gordy to release him from Motown in 1981

* He signed with Columbia Records and composed the smash hit "Sexual Healing"

* His professional popularity soared while his personal troubles bubbled over

*He was slain by his father on April 1, 1984, after he beat his father up in a fist fight

 
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