Wayback Wednesday: Marvin Gaye
On Wayback Wednesday we’re marking a sad anniversary. It was on April First, 1984 that Marvin Gaye was shot and killed by his father, Marvin Gay Senior. (The younger Marvin had changed his last name, adding the letter “e”.) They were in the family’s home in the West Adams district of Los Angeles, when Marvin intervened in a fight between his parents. His father minutes later shot Marvin twice, in the heart and in his left shoulder. He was one day shy of his 45th birthday. Marvin Gay Sr. was initially charged with first degree murder, but charges were dropped to voluntary manslaughter, following the diagnosis of a brain tumor. He received a suspended 6 year sentence and probation, and died in a nursing home in 1998.
Today, enjoy this live video, apparently on Johnny Carson’s Tonight show, with Tammi Terrell, who also tragically died far too young. They made beautiful music together.
