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CHIIA.COM Note: Mr. B.A.C. Ofthearts is a columnist for our Katara-Rhythm newsletter. He is an opinionated individual who loves music, reading, sports, debating current and historical events, and movies. He will update this page on a monthly basis Stop in; you will find a few surprises.
From My Point Of View
by B.A.C. Ofthearts ---------------------------------------------
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Marvin Gaye
February 15, 2004
What's Happening Brother?
There has been so much written and said about Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr., some of it true and some false. One fact is clear. He was born under the astrological sign of Aries (April 2, 1939 in Washington DC) as the first of two sons to Reverend Gay (Marvin added the letter “e” to his name) and his wife Alberta. Marvin, his brother and two sisters were expected to adhere to the strict teachings of their church. The family was deeply involved in the church community along with all that accompanies that responsibility. Singing for Christ at a young age and accepting God as his savior did not calm the rebellious nature of the boy. The Reverend Gay was known as a strict disciplinarian of whom Marvin often was a beneficiary.
Dropping out of high school he joined the Air Force for a short stay. After his discharge he wanted to get into singing professionally. He had a short working arrangement with Bo Diddley and later joined the doo-wop group of the fifties, The Moonglows. He immediately adopted Harvey Fuqua, the groups’ founder, as his mentor. After the Moonglows disbanded, Harvey introduced Marvin to Barry Gordy.
Motown Records was in its infancy although the nucleuses of future stars were already signed and beginning to record. After writing and performing the 1962 hit “Stubborn Kind Of Fellow, he recorded “Can I Get A Witness” (Holland/Dozier/Holland), “I’ll Be Doggone” (Smokey Robinson/Moore/Tarplin), and “Ain’t That Peculiar” (Smokey Robinson/Tarplin/Rogers/Moore). They became instant hits.
Following that success he teamed with Tammi Terrell and their record sales went through the roof. Performing such Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson written classic hits as “You’re All I Need To Get By”, “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing”, “If This World Was Mine”, and “Your Precious Love” Tammi and Marvin made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Friends became lovers; lovers became engaged married and un-married couples bore children listening to this duo. Talking about contributing to the population, there are people around today that was conceived while their parents were listening to Marvin and Tammi.
As faith would have it the pair could no longer record after Tammi became ill and fell into Marvin's Arms while performing at Hampton-Sydney College. It was the summer of 1967. Three years later Marvin would say, “I felt that I had somehow died with her” as his good friend Tammi died of a brain tumor. . Ashford and Simpson are still married (to each other), writing and performing to this day.
Marvin continued to record successful songs through the end of the sixties. However they were all written by someone other than himself. That fact would change.
He wanted to sing songs with a smooth jazzy sound. He really wanted to be a night club singer. He idolized artist such as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, and Perry Como. Yet, fate as it was took him in another direction.
By 1971 Black people, as we wanted to be called at that time were trying to improve the equality of education and opportunities for our children and ourselves. High school kids were looking to go to colleges. Those who did not graduate from high school or simply wanted to get a college degree were returning to school. A little known subsidy (at least in the ghetto) called student grants and loans were being discovered. “Busing” was becoming a hated word among white people.
In fact, if you were an alien visiting the US, and you asked what were black people concerns, most people would point you to the lyrics of a album recorded by Marvin Gaye entitled “What’s Going On”.
It was a project that started in 1969 (over Barry Gordy objections) and culminated in 1971. Each selection, beginning with the LP’s title cut on side 1 to the 3rd and final cut on side 2 spoke to the state of each African American community in this country.
Marvin, answering the call of his Aries birth sign took the lead in selecting the material for the LP. He, along with other collaborators (Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson,) took the pulse of the black community and soulfully expressed their joy, pain, and expectations to each cut on the LP. For you see, the communities’ experiences were the same as the Artist.
The title cut “What’s Going On” has a jazzy driving beat as it remarks,
“Mother, mother. There’s too many of you crying.”
“Brother, brother, brother. There’s far too many of you dying”.
The words were a comment on the Vietnam War along with supporting those who were marching against the war.
“What’s Happening Brother”, asked the questions his brother Frankie wanted to know upon his return from Vietnam.
“Flying High (In the friendly sky)”, was the voice of a junkie, addict, or a contemporary crack head.
“Save the Children”, asked who if anyone had the children’s interest in mind.
“God is Love”, implored the listener to Love your mother, father, sister, brother, in fact love all of Gods creations.
The last cut on side one is “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)”. Eloquently stating “things ain’t what they used to be”, Marvin sang of poison in the air, water, and ground. Today…not too much has changed.
Side two began with “Right On” a song about the different economic, social, race, and religions of man and yet we all have a commonality. We all need love in our life.
“Wholy Holy” followed with a reminder that Jesus left us a book to guide.
The LP ended with “Inner City Blues”, a poignant critique of trying to live a normal life in the ghetto. The following lyrics,
“Crime is increasing”
“Trigger happy policing”
“Panic is spreading”
“God knows where we’re heading “,
is another example how the entire lyrical presentation in the LP spoke of things as they were and things as they are today.
The genius of Gaye was to open his eyes and ears to the world as it really was and not how we were asked to see it by those in authority. And then to sat down with his fellow writers and musicians to put those observation in a format that not only entertained but pierced the listeners social conscientious. It moved some to change directions, others to adopt a direction. He would not be the only artist recording songs with social comments during the 70s, but this release… was his crowning glory.
And yet there were other examples of his mastery of musical arrangement and lyrical composition that followed. LP’s such as the commercially successful and sexy “Lets Get It On” followed by “I Want You” and the driving dance tune of “Got to Give It Up” released in 1977. I am still sweating from dancing to that cut.
He released two more LP’s for Motown, “Here, My Dear” and “In Our Lifetime” but by that time he was brooding over a failed second marriage among other things and choose to drop out of the limelight. He resurfaced and recorded a final hit LP. “Sexual Healing” was another commercial success and informed his legion of fans that he was still alive and kicking.
We all know what happen in LA that snuffed out that life. However, by that time Marvin had made an indelible mark on the American music and social scene. He would probably say that God decided that he should not continue.
Peace... see you in cyberspace,
B.A.C. Ofthearts
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June 26, 2004
The Bay Area's own released a promotional CD with two cuts. The first cut, Root of all Evil has P.O. and Filthy Rich laying down the means of making and spending hard dough. It's all about the cash. This cut also features Stoney d and Rome with scratches by DJ Kikkoman and Soulcrates. Check it...we know you will like it.
The second cut is entitled Life. You heard of Life, you can live it through the rhymes laid down on this cut. You feel me. Get the CD and tell your friends, the album is to follow. They are not your ordinary rappers.
Call Filthy Rich at 510-635-4699 for details on how to get your copy. You can also call this publication at 925-439-9071 for details on how to obtain your copy. It's Black Bizness, featuring P.O. and Filthy Rich, aka Rich Tycoon.