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Professional Career
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Met Harvey Fuqua
After being found by Harvey Fuqua when playing with the Marquees (D.C. Doo-Woop Group) he incorporates them into into his own group the Moonglows. -
Move to Detroit
Marvin and Fuqua move to Detroit where Fuqua signed Marvin for Anna Label (Mowtown Subsidiary). He starts woth drumming and piano sessions for other artists. -
Signs for Tamla
Marvin met Berry Gordy at a Christmas party and signed for Tamla Records -
First Releases
Gaye released his first single 'Let your conscience be your guide' and then his first album 'The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye' -
Early Success
Marvin releases 'Stubborn kinda fellow', 'Hitch Hike' and 'Pride and Joy'. These singles make him an established Mowtown musician and he becomes their biggest solo artist. -
Marriage
Marvin marries Anna Gordy -
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Duets
Gaye's colaborations with female singers Mary Wells, Kim West and Tammi Terell allow him to skyrocket in popularity -
Release of 'Together'
This duet album with Mary Wells is Marvin's first international success, reaching 1# on the RnB charts -
'Take Two' is Released
Colaborative album with Kim Weston. -
Tammi Terell duets
'Ain't no Mountain High Enough' and 'Your Precious Love' are released by the pair. They are an international hit -
Tammi Terell Colapses on Stage
Tammi fainted while singing in a concert in Virginia. She is diagnosed with a brain tumor. She is forced to record 'You're All I Need' from a wheelchair -
Release of 'I Heard it Through the Grapevine'
The song 'I heard it through the Grapevine' is a hit and it reaches 1# on the Pop charts, where it remains for seven weeks. 4 million copies are sold -
'I Heard it Through the Grapevine' reaches 1# In the UK
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Death of Tammi Terrell
Tammi loses her battle to cancer and Gaye goes into a deep depression, refusing to perform. He says he will never do a duet again -
Release of 'What's Going On' (Single)
The song is released behind Berry Gordy's (Mowtwon Owner) back. It becomes Mowtown's fastest selling record. The success of this protest piece gives Marvin his motivation back to be an artist -
Release of 'What's Going On' (Album)
It sells 500.000 copies on the first day of release and hits 6# on the US charts -
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Peak
Marvin releases his most influential and inspired work during this time, after having acquired more artistic freedom from Mowtown -
Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye release 'DIANA & MARVIN'
Gaye breaks his oath to not duet after Tammi's death and critics found a lack of chemistry between Diana and Marvin. They had to record in different places because Diana was pregnant and Marvin refused to not smoke marijuana in the booth -
Release of 'Let's Get It On'
The follow up album to 'What's Going On' is succesful and goes back to sensual lyrics after its successor's activist message -
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Spiral Down
In this period Gaye becomes very addicted to drugs, gets divorced, gets married loses popularity and ends up leeaving and rejoining Mowtwon. His expensive drug addiction and lifestyle force Gaye to constantly go on tour in Europe. -
Marvin Gaye and Janis Hunter get married
After his divorce with Anna Gordy (Which was a long time coming, even before 'What's Going On' released) Marvin marries Janis Hunter, with whom he already had a child -
'Sexual Healing' wins Grammys
Marvin's last big success before his death. He receives the "Best Male Vocalist" and "Best Instrumental Performance in R&B" Grammys for his song 'Sexual Healing' from his album 'Midnight Love' -
Death of Marvin Gaye
Marvin is shot dead by his father after they have an argument