Tag Archives: Marvin Gaye

Music Monday: June 22, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

#musicmonday #musicblog #musicandlyrics

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Seventy five years ago the world met a Beethoven loving pianist named Schroeder.

Charles M. Schulz created characters who represented the many people we would meet in our lives. So it was no surprise when a music loving boy who also played catcher for the gang’s baseball team showed up. Since the date of his arrival was less than eight months after the debut of the comic strip on October 2, 1950, Schroeder has played a significant part in not only the comic strip but also both iconic TV specials (“A Charlie Brown Christmas” & “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”), the numerous movies, various merchandising memorabilia and everything else in the Peanuts world. And rightfully so because in addition to all the wonderful messages Mr. Schulz taught us through such a beloved group of characters, one of the best is that a child with an intense love of music inherently understands the transformative power that music & lyrics hold.

Image courtesy of Charles M. Schulz Museum’s Facebook page. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

One of the most significant and powerful voices in music launched his recording career 65 years ago. The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye, his debut album, was released June 8, 1961. It features mostly covers of standards by Irving Berlin (“Always”), Cole Porter (“Love For Sale”) and Cy Coleman & Carolyn Leigh (“Witchcraft”).

By the time Gaye’s 7th album was released 60 years ago in May 1966, Moods of Marvin Gaye, he was recording more tracks written by Motown based writers including Smokey Robinson (“Ill Be Doggone” and “Take This Heart of Mine”) and the prolific songwriting team of Holland–Dozier–Holland (“Your Unchanging Love” and “Little Darling”, which was covered by The Doobie Brothers in 1977).

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Gaye released a second album in 1966-his second duet album, this time with singer Kim Weston-aptly title, Take Two. The first was with Mary Wells in 1964 but his most successful collaborations would begin in 1967 once he teamed up with Tammi Terrell.

His 13th album, I Want You, was released 50 years ago in March 1976. Five years later, he released his final album for Motown-and the penultimate album of his career-In Our Lifetime. His final album, Midnight Love, was released on Columbia Records in 1982.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last week the news broke that the beautiful & incredibly talented Daveigh Chase passed away at age 35. She was an actress known to me for her roles as Samara Morgan (the creepy girl in the well) in 2002’s “The Ring” and as Rhonda Volmar in HBO’s series, “Big Love” (2006-2011). I knew her from several TV appearances as well but only just learned she was the voice of Lilo in Disney’s 1998 “Lilo & Stitch” and Jake Gyllenhaal’s younger sister in 2001’s “Donnie Darko”. Her last role was 10 years ago in the 2016 thriller, “American Romance”.

I just finished a re-watch of “Big Love” and thought even during the first time I saw it that it was the performance of Chase’s career to that point at barely 17 years old. Her disturbing portrayal of a sociopathic teenager damaged by the extremism of a secluded life in a cult-like religion was chilling. I had read several online stories that said she stopped working about 10 years ago for a variety of reasons, so I checked her IMDb page to see if she had returned to acting. There were no new credits listed so I hoped that whatever she was doing, she was happy & safe. I hate that the reality was she died entirely too young after a decade of family estrangement and alleged substance abuse.

Daveigh Elizabeth Chase: July 24, 1990 – June 16, 2026.

Daveigh Chase (L) and her “Big Love” co-star, Chloë Sevigny (R) circa 2007. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

James Burrows, an epic force in television, also died last week. He was 85 years old.

His distinguished career began as a director on some of the biggest shows in the 1970’s including “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Laverne & Shirley”. Between 1978 and 1982, he directed 75 episodes of “Taxi”. In 1982, he co-created “Cheers” and directed 236 out of 270 episodes of the series. (That show also gave us a fabulous theme song co-written and sung by Long Island’s own Gary Portnoy).

Burrows had a massive number of directing credits to his name. He was also an executive producer & director for the series, “Will & Grace”. He worked with the creators of that show-David Kohan and Max Mutchnick-on 2025’s “Mid-Century Modern”, which turned out to be Burrows’ last show. And all of the work highlighted here is only a fraction of Burrows’ 50+ year career. Many years ago I saw a BTS story about “Will & Grace” where headliner Eric McCormack said one of the most incredible things about Burrows was that he did not watch the rehersals he directed. Rather, he looked at the floor and went with how he felt about what he heard from the actors. According to McCormack, Burrows instincts never missed. What a fabulous assessment of his legacy.

James Edward Burrows: December 30, 1940 – June 19, 2026

L-R: Ted Danson, Shelley Long & James Burrows on the set of Cheers circa 1982. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ludwig van Beethoven: “Moonlight Sonata” (1802, written by Ludwig van Beethoven).

Marvin Gaye: “My Funny Valentine” (1961, written by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers).

Marvin Gaye: “Ain’t That Peculiar” (1966, written by Warren Moore, William “Smokey” Robinson Jr., Bobby Rogers, and Marvin Tarplin).

Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston: “It Takes Two” (1966, written by Sylvia Moy and William “Mickey” Stevenson).

Marvin Gaye: “I Want You” (1976, written by Arthur “T-Boy” Ross and Leon Ware).

Daveigh Chase: “The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.” (Performed in “Big Love” S2 E10. Original air date: August 13, 2007. Written by Donna Fargo).

Gary Portnoy: “Cheers Theme (“Where Everybody Knows Your Name”) (1982, written by Judy Hart-Angelo and Gary Portnoy).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: May 18, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

#musicmonday #musicblog #musicandlyrics

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

What Now My Love, the sixth album by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, was released 60 years ago on May 9, 1966. It reached the #1 spot in the country that year for eight consecutive weeks, from May 28-July 22 & returned to the top spot for one more week on September 3. It was Alpert’s third #1 album for the year, added to 1965’s Whipped Cream & Other Delights in the top spot for the first week of 1966 & again for two weeks in February. The follow up album to that one-Going Places, also released in 1965-was #1 for one week in March 1966 and again for five consecutive weeks from April 16-May 20. The only other act that had three #1 albums in 1966 were The Beatles with Rubber Soul, Yesterday And Today and Revolver.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sticky Fingers by the Rolling Stones was released 55 years ago in April 1971. By May 22, it hit the top of the Billboard 200 chart where it stayed for four consecutive weeks. One of their biggest albums not only for its musical content (“Brown Sugar” was the #1 song in the country for two consecutive weeks in the spring of 1971) but for the cover art as well. It featured a photo by artist Andy Warhol of a man’s crotch area clad in jeans with an actual working zipper. And the album’s inner sleeve introduced the world to what would become the band’s signature lips & tongue logo.

A year before the album’s 45th anniversary, a deluxe & a super deluxe edition was released, with the later disc featuring the band’s live 1971 performance at University of Leeds.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

On January 21, 1971 the song, “What’s Going On”, was released as a single. By April, it reached the #2 spot in the country. It was the title track of the album released 55 years ago on May 21, 1971. It would peak in the #6 position two months later. More than five decades later, it is still considered the pinnacle of Marvin Gaye’s career. I featured this album & its impact on Gaye’s life & his musical direction five years ago on Day 431 of my Lockdown Countdown:

“Fifty years ago today-May 21, 1971-Marvin Gaye released his masterpiece, What’s Going On. This album was an expression of the angst he was feeling between 1969 & 1970 due to the state of the world-the Vietnam War, the effect of pollution on the environment, racial injustice, poverty-and what was happening in his own world: the break-up of his first marriage, the death of his friend, Tammi Terrell, the trials his brother, Frankie, faced in service to our country & as a veteran returning home from the war to little support in how to rejoin society; Gaye’s inability to break free of the confines of his Motown contract to make the music he wanted to make, his strained relationship with label owner Berry Gordy and Gaye’s money troubles with the IRS due in part to his cocaine addiction.

He co-wrote all nine songs on the album & produced it as well, his first time in that role. Motown’s house band, The Funk Brothers, helped Gaye find the perfect sound for each song. Upon its release, it was hailed as a landmark album not only for the singer but for music as well. It was critically acclaimed as a concept record, a first for Motown, and was considered an important statement for black music, too. The album produced three Top Ten hits.

If Marvin Gaye only gave us his recording of “Grapevine” what a contribution that would have been all by itself. But the legacy of What’s Going On defines not only his talent but his heart, soul, intellect, empathy, strength & compassion for the world around him as well. His was one of the first voices I remember hearing and I have absolutely adored it ever since. The soulfulness, the passion, the intensity & the four octave range of his deep rich baritone to tenor voice, it is a truly beautiful & remarkable instrument. I miss him every single day. Happy anniversary to one of the greatest records ever made by one of the greatest artists who ever lived.“

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass: “Spanish Flea” (1965, written by Julius Wechter).

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass: “It Was A Very Good Year” (1966, written by Ervin Drake).

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass: “The Shadow of Your Smile” (1966, written by Johnny Mandel and Paul Francis Webster).

The Rolling Stones: “Brown Sugar” (1971, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards).

The Rolling Stones: “Wild Horses” (1971, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards).

The Rolling Stones: “Street Fighting Man” (Live performance in 1971 at the University of Leeds. Originally released in 1968. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards).

Marvin Gaye: “What’s Going On” (1971, written by Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland and Marvin Gaye).

Marvin Gaye: “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” (1971, written by Marvin Gaye).

Marvin Gaye: “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” (1971, written by written by Marvin Gaye and James Nyx Jr.).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: June 23, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Debbie Harry will celebrate birthday #80 in a week. Born Angela Trimble on July 1, 1945 in Miami, Florida, the future lead singer of Blondie was raised in New Jersey. She became part of NYC’s music scene when the group was formed there in 1974.

One of their #1 hits (they had a total of four between 1979 & 1981) peaked at the top spot for six consecutive weeks 45 years ago on April 19, 1980. Harry supplied the lyrics to Italian composer Giorgio Moroder’s music to create the main theme song to the movie that made Richard Gere a star, 1980’s “American Gigolo”. The track was nominated the following year for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

Harry later branched out into acting. Her roles in “Hairspray” and “My Life Without Me” are my favorites. Her 2019 autobiography, “Face It: A Memoir”, is a fascinating glimpse at her incredible life & career. Harry is not only one of music’s greatest vocalists but also a visionary who helped introduce rap to the masses with Blondie’s 1981 song, “Rapture”.

Top: Blondie circa 1977. Bottom: Debbie Harry circa 2024. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bono turned 65 years old last month. Born Paul David Hewson on May 10, 1960 in Dublin, Ireland, he became the lead singer and one of the founding members of U2 in 1976. His milestone birthday aligns with the 45th anniversary of the band’s debut album, Boy, released on October 20, 1980. In addition to U2, Bono has recorded with other artists including his own musical heroes like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles and many others.

Bono is also well known for his philanthropic & humanitarian efforts which date back to 1984 when he lent his voice to the charity single, “Do They Know It’s Christmas” by Band-Aid, a supergroup created by Bob Geldof.

Bono as photographed by Esquire in 2025. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Martha and the Vandellas’ third album, Dance Party, was released 60 years ago in April 1965. The album contains the group’s two biggest hits which helped make them one of Motown’s most successful artists. They remain my favorite girl group of the genre.

Top: The group’s 1965 album. Bottom (top to bottom: Martha Reeves, Betty Kelly, and Rosalind Ashford of Martha and the Vandellas circa 1964. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

America released their fifth studio album, Hearts, 50 years ago in March 1975. It was the second of six records produced by acclaimed Beatles producer, George Martin. Actor & comedian Phil Hartman designed the album cover during his time as a graphic designer. It contained the band’s second #1 hit which peaked in the top spot on June 14, 1975 for one week along with “Daisy Jane” which peaked at #20 in September 1975. “A Horse With No Name” was America’s first top selling song in March 1972.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Power Station released their debut album 40 years ago in March 1985. As a Robert Palmer fan, I was so happy to see him take another step in his musical career, this time in a supergroup with two members of Duran Duran-Andy Taylor and John Taylor-and former Chic drummer Tony Thompson. The Power Station disbanded after that record to return to their respective careers until 1996 when they released their second & final album, Living In Fear. It includes an incredible cover of Marvin Gaye’s 1973 hit, “Let’s Get It On”.

The Power Station circa 1985 (L–R): Robert Palmer, Andy Taylor, John Taylor and Tony Thompson. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Blondie: “Call Me” (1980, written by Debbie Harry and Giorgio Moroder).

The Coors featuring Bono: “When The Stars Go Blue” (2002, written by Ryan Adams).

Martha & The Vandellas: “Dancing In The Street” (1964, written by Marvin Gaye, Ivy Jo Hunter and William “Mickey” Stevenson).

America: “Sister Golden Hair” (1975, written by Gerry Beckley).

The Power Station: “Some Like It Hot” (1985, written by Robert Palmer, Andy Taylor & John Taylor).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: May 12, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stevie Wonder was born 75 years ago on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, MI. Out of all the artists who started their career with Motown Records, he is arguably the most successful & most enduring from that iconic label. He is an undeniable powerhouse in soul, funk & pop. This is from my post from May 16, 2022:

“What is left to say about “The Eighth Wonder Of The World”, Stevie Wonder, who turned 72 last week? The child prodigy born Stevland Hardaway Morris on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, MI began his career in The Motor City at age 11 as Little Stevie Wonder. His career grew even bigger as an adult in the 1970’s with three Album Of The Year Grammy awards for Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness‘ First Finale (1974) and Songs in the Key of Life (1976). His talent continued to dominate from there and today, with over six decades of musical brilliance under his belt, Wonder continues to show us all how genius is defined.“

Top: Stevie Wonder circa 1963 at age 13. Middle: The artist circa 1972. Bottom: Wonder at the 2025 Met Gala in NYC earlier this month. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Four Tops first album was released sixty years ago in January 1965. The opening track, “Baby I Need Your Loving”, came out in July 1964 which proved to be their first hit, reaching #11 a month later. That prompted the record label to release the group’s follow up eleven months later in November 1965, aptly titled Four Tops Second Album. It features “It’s The Same Old Song” which peaked at #5 in August 1965 and the group’s first #1 record which hit the top spot nearly 60 years ago on on June 19, 1965 for two consecutive weeks.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Marvin Gaye released his 10th studio album 55 years ago in January 1970. It consisted of 12 cover songs, with several made famous by other Motown stars like The Temptations (“I Wish It Would Rain” & “Cloud Nine”) and The Marvelettes (“No Time for Tears”) along with a few by other artists including The Beatles (“Yesterday”) and The Young Rascals (“Groovin”). But the title song-originally recorded by The Isley Brothers in 1967-is my absolute favorite track. Gaye’s version is a slower, more soulful take turning the song into a cautionary tale of love’s fickle side. He released it as a single in the summer of 1969 and it peaked at #7 in October of that year.

Marvin Gaye circa 1972. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another Motown song celebrating a milestone this year is by Freda Payne. Fifty-five years ago she teamed up with the powerhouse writing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. However, the song was credited to the collective pseudonym “Edythe Wayne” due to the trio’s ongoing dispute with Motown Records. The track peaked at #3 in July 1970, just three months after it premiered in the #93 spot in April 1970. It hit #1 for six weeks (September 19-October 24) that year on the UK charts. It remains an undeniable gem from its decade, and as I wrote on Day 85 of my Lockdown Countdown, “The string interlude arrangement @ 1:37 is one of my all time favorites ever.  It just kicked this song to the next level from great to absolutely glorious.  I have reveled in the beauty of this song from the first time I heard it, and fall more in love with each listen.“

Freda Payne circa 1970. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stevie Wonder: “I Was Made To Love Her” (1967, written by Stevie Wonder, Lula Mae Hardaway, Sylvia Moy and Henry Cosby).

Stevie Wonder: “Superstition” (1972, written by Stevie Wonder).

Stevie Wonder: “Living For The City” (1973, written by Stevie Wonder).

The Four Tops: “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” (1965, written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland).

Marvin Gaye: “That’s The Way Love Is” (1969, written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong).

Freda Payne: “Band Of Gold” (1970, written by Ron Dunbar and “Edythe Wayne”, which was the collective pseudonym for Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: July 1, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Twenty years ago singer Nona Gaye sang the national anthem at the NBA All-Star game. A solo performance would have been enjoyable enough on its own, but she turned it into a virtual duet with and in honor of her father, Marvin, who died 20 years earlier in 1984 when Nona was nine.

A year before his death Marvin, the crowned Prince of Motown, performed the same song at the same all star game. He delivered it with his own soulful and unique spin, leaving nearly everyone in the arena in awe.

Nike used Marvin’s recording and video clips from that 1983 appearance for its 2008 commercial for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team. It was a testament to Marvin’s timeless sound, his unforgettable interpretation of our national anthem and his status as a musical legend.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July, everyone.

Marvin
Marvin and Nona

Top: Marvin Gaye in 1983. Bottom: Marvin on video accompanying daughter Nona’s live performance in 2004. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Marvin Gaye:  “The Star Spangled Banner” (as performed on February 13, 1983 at the NBA All Star Game in California.  Written by Francis Scott Key (lyrics in 1914) and John Stafford Smith (music circa 1773).

Nona Gaye and Marvin Gaye: “The Star Spangled Banner” (as performed on February 15, 2004 at the NBA All Star Game in California.  Written by Francis Scott Key (lyrics in 1914) and John Stafford Smith (music circa 1773).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: May 13, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The world has officially been listening to The Rolling Stones for six decades. Their first album was released 60 years ago in April 1964. It included covers of songs written by Willie Dixon (“I Just Want to Make Love to You”), Buddy Holly (“Not Fade Away”) and Rufus Thomas (“Walking The Dog”), along with one track written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (“Tell Me (You’re Coming Back)”).

We are blessed to still have both of those men from the group’s original lineup. As for the others, drummer Charlie Watts passed away in 2021, multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones died in 1969 and bassist Bill Wyman retired in 1993.

When Jones placed an ad looking for musicians to form a band in 1962, he envisioned it to be one with a blues sound. But once the Jagger-Richards songwriting partnership took off, the group’s songs shifted more towards rock music. That and some other problems amongst the three men in addition to personal issues Jones was allegedly having led to him being fired from the band a month before his death in July 1969. He was, however, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with his former bandmates in 1989.

But 25 years earlier, The Stones self-titled debut album introduced us to another band from England that shared their love of American music with us. And in 1964, nothing expressed that more than a cover of a Motown song, originally released in the fall of 1963 by my great musical love, Marvin Gaye. And The Stones answered the question asked in that song on the same album with the group effort, “Now I’ve Got a Witness”, which was credited to the band’s collective pseudonym of Nanker Phelge. Ladies & gentlemen, The Rolling Stones.

Rolling-Stones-1964-The-Rolling-Stones

The Stones 1964 self-titled debut album (L-R): Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts and Mick Jagger. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Rolling Stones: “Can I Get A Witness” (1964, written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: April 1, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today we celebrate a man I adore and love who I have worshipped nearly all of my life. And I miss him every time I breathe. Marvin Gaye was born 85 years ago on April 2, 1939 in Washington, D.C. He began singing in church at just four years old. Later he joined a few high school vocal groups before he enlisted in the United States Air Force when he was 17.

The future “Prince of Soul” learned to play piano, drums and to write songs. He joined a few doo-wop groups before he ended up in Detroit at the start of the 1960’s just as Motown was being developed. After some time as a musician & backup singer, he had his first hit with “Stubborn Kind Of Fellow” in 1963. And for the next 10 years, he earned another nickname, “The Prince Of Motown”, thanks to a string of hits including three #1 songs, several duets and a thought-provoking seminal album, “What’s Going On”, in 1971.

A decade later, he had a #3 smash with “Sexual Healing” which earned him his first Grammy Awards. But despite his career resurgence, Gaye’s life ended exactly 40 years ago when he was killed on April 1, 1984. He was not only one of the greatest voices ever in music history but one of the most prolific to come out of the Motor City. He spoke his conscience through his songs as well which provided the label with some social awareness and perspective.

In honor of this beautiful extraordinary man’s life, I am sharing my top three favorite tracks of his. Two are solo songs and the other is my favorite duet of his with Tammi Terrell, Gaye’s dear friend whom he recorded a majority of duets with before she died from a brain tumor on March 16, 1970 at age 24. If you believe in heaven, you have your own version of what it looks and sounds like. For me, I envision these two incredible souls singing together in harmony and happiness for all of eternity. And I have a front row seat.

Thank you for your heart, soul & voice, Marvin. You are still missed and beloved every moment of every day. Sending love & peace to you always.

Marvin young
Marvin hat
Marvin Tammi

Top: Marvin Gaye in the early 1960’s. Middle: Marvin Gaye circa 1971. Bottom: Tammi Terrell and Gaye circa 1967. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Marvin Gaye: “If I Could Build My Whole World Around You” (1967, written by Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock and Harvey Fuqua).

Marvin Gaye: “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” (1968, written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield).

Marvin Gaye: “That’s The Way Love Is” (1969, written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: September 4, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In the spirit of the Labor Day holiday, I pay homage to one of the hardest working genres of music which started over six decades ago and remains one of my favorites of all time.

In 1958 Berry Gordy Jr. borrowed $800 from his family (equivalent to about $8,500 today) to start Tamla Records in Detroit, Michigan which became Motown Records. The website does not list an actual date for this event only the year. But many music sites list the founding date as June 7, 1958. Regardless of the actual day it was started, 2023 marks the 65th anniversary of one of the greatest & most soulful styles of music the world ever saw.

Gordy’s affinity for music began when he owned a record store and started composing songs. After co-writing “Reet Petite” for Jackie Wilson and discovering The Miracles in 1957, Gordy was inspired to start his own label (which is owned today by the Universal Music Group) after he received a royalty check for only $3.19 in 1958 after leasing the first two Miracles singles to End Records in New York. Gordy used the knowledge he learned from his time as a Ford automotive worker by using the company’s assembly line philosophy to prepare his artists for musical careers. There were lessons in singing, choreography, stage performance and all night rehearsals of every kind.

Berry 1961

Berry Gordy Jr. circa 1961 (top) and circa 2011 (bottom). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

From those hallowed halls of Hitsville, USA we were introduced to Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Marvelettes (who had the first #1 hit for the label, the first of today’s three songs), The Supremes, Martha & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Mary Wells, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Junior Walker & The All Stars and more. The label also gave us one of the greatest house bands of all time, The Funk Brothers.

This year two seminal Motown albums celebrate their golden anniversary. Wonder’s sixteenth studio album, Innervisions, was released on August 3, 1973. Gaye’s thirteenth record, Let’s Get It On, was released on August 28, 1973. The title track hit the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 on September 8, 1973 for the first of two inconsecutive weeks.

Thank you, Berry Gordy, for the priceless and phenomenal gift of Motown. And to nearly every artist on the label in its first unbelievably great decade, I remain in complete awe of the beauty of your songs.

Top: A Marvelettes compilation album. Middle: Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions album. Bottom: Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On album. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Marvelettes: “Please Mr. Postman” (1961, written by Robert Bateman, Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Freddie Gorman and Brian Holland).

Stevie Wonder: “Living For The City” (1973, written by Stevie Wonder).

Marvin Gaye: “Let’s Get It On” (1973, written by Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend).

Stay safe and well.

Music Monday: April 3, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Yesterday marked what would have been Marvin Gaye’s 84th birthday. Motown’s “Prince Of Soul” was born April 2, 1939 in Washington, D.C. His voice was one of the strongest, one of the most recognizeable, one of the most powerful & one of the most beautiful to come out of the Motor City. He was also a musician, a songwriter and a producer.

He started with the Motown label in 1960 and by 1962 he had his first hit, “Stubborn Kind Of Fellow”. He spent the next 20 years of his career at the label, and despite incredible highs with hit songs like “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”, duets with Tammi Terrell and seminal albums like “What’s Going On”, Gaye also experienced incredible lows including the end of his first marriage, the death of Terrell and struggles with depression and addiction. He left Motown for CBS Records in 1982.

That same year Gaye enjoyed a career resurgence with the release of Midnight Love. The lead single, “Sexual Healing”, hit #3 by January 1983. It won him the first Grammy Award of his career, Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male (the instrumental version earned him Grammy #2 the same year). But it was what he did next that gave him another career defining moment that is still revered and celebrated 40 years later.

On February 13th, 1983, the NBA’s best gathered at the Los Angeles arena for the 33rd All-Star Game between Eastern and Western Conferences. Gaye was chosen to sing the National Anthem and went on to make history with his suave, soulful and utterly sensational interpretation of the song. The Star Spangled Banner would never sound the same from that point on. It was like watching what Ray Charles did for “America The Beautiful” all over again.

Marvin NBA 1983

Marvin Gaye at the 1983 NBA All Star Game. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I miss this man every single day. I fell in love with his voice before I knew what soul music was but I knew Gaye’s voice was the definition of it, even when I was a young child. He was just that good, just that talented and just that powerful. And every time I hear one of his songs, I remember the first time I heard his voice all over again. But his legacy is best summed up on his website: “His greatness rests in his genius for transforming spiritual energy into songs that both inspire and delight.” Amen.

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Gaye circa 1982. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Marvin Gaye: “National Anthem” (1983, Live at the NBA All Star Game, lyrics by Francis Scott Key and music by John Stafford Smith).

Marving Gaye: “That’s The Way Love Is” (1969, written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield).

Stay safe & well.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2022: Day 11

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 11 2022

A sweet vintage Christmas card image found on Pinterest. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

One of my favorite singers of all time is the incredibly soulful Marvin Gaye. One of his major influences was Sam Cooke, an extraordinary talent we lost 58 years ago today. While I do not like to focus on the date we lose our musical heroes, I do like to remember their legacy and how they inspired others, especially the artists that mean so much to me.

For years after Gaye died in 1983, several unreleased recordings came to light, including one from a performance at the legendary Apollo Theatre in New York City in 1963. Nat King Cole’s version is the paramount rendition of today’s song and rightfully so. But Gaye’s is such a fabulous jazz infused track with his own wishes to his audience to have a Merry Christmas, it is like the best gift of the season for fans still missing this man as much as I do. And while I will never know this for sure, I like to think that Gaye channeled Cooke on this track because he always had a way of making any song he covered his own, too.

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos“.

Cooke

Gaye

Two of my favorite artists of all time: Sam Cooke (top) and Marvin Gaye (bottom). (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Marvin Gaye: “The Christmas Song” (Live performance at The Apollo Theatre in 1963. Written by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!