Marvin Gaye was killed April 1, 1984, after an argument with his father. Gaye Sr., a retired minister of the House of God Church, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to five years of probation.
On April 1, 1984, a day before his 45th birthday, Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his own father, Marvin P. Gay Sr. During a heated argument over an insurance letter involving the musician and his parents at the family home in the Crenshaw district. Gay Sr. shot the music legend three times in the chest. The weapon: a revolver given to Gay Sr. by his son. The location: in the home that Marvin Gaye gave to his father and mother.
Marvin P. Gay Sr. pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was given a six-year suspended prison sentence. He died of pneumonia at a retirement home in California in 1998.
By all accounts, the iconic musician and his father had a very troubled relationship. Gay Sr. was a former minister in the House Of God church who reportedly ran a violent and abusive household. It was also said he had a penchant for dressing in women’s clothing. Reportedly Marvin Gaye added the ‘e’ in his last name, among other reasons, to distance himself from his family and any questions of sexuality.
Marvin Gaye’s sister Zeola has forgiven her father for shooting her famous brother, saying while she did not condone it in any way, “that is something he would have to answer to with God.”
A Grammy award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Marvin Gaye is known as one of “Motown’s renaissance men” who “could do it all.” Even after his death, legal battles follow his estate. In March 2015, Gaye’s family was awarded a $7.3 million settlement after accusations that Robin Thicke and Pharrell’s hit “Blurred Lines” blatantly infringed upon “Got To Give It Up.”
Though his life was cut short on the eve of his 45th birthday, Marvin Gaye leaves behind a rich legacy in music and popular culture. Share your memories and comments below.
Police said the argument between the father and son began when Gaye was unable to find an insurance company letter that had nothing to do with the singer.
Probation investigators said Gaye had apparently beaten his father shortly before the shooting. Shortly after the arrest, it was discovered that Gaye Sr. had a brain tumor.
The two men reportedly had a troubled relationship, with the son never believing that the father appreciated his success. "I'm sorry.... I loved him," Gaye Sr. said at his sentencing.
"If I could bring him back, I would. I was afraid of him. I thought I was going to get hurt. I didn't know what was going to happen. I'm really sorry for everything that happened. I loved him. I wish he could step through this door right now. I'm paying the price now."
The father died in 1998 at age 83.
Marvin Gaye Jr. had 13 records in the top 10 from 1963 to 1977. Among his best-known hits were "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Sexual Healing," "Let's Get It On" and "What's Going On."
On April 1, 1984, a day before his 45th birthday, Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his own father, Marvin P. Gay Sr. During a heated argument over an insurance letter involving the musician and his parents at the family home in the Crenshaw district. Gay Sr. shot the music legend three times in the chest. The weapon: a revolver given to Gay Sr. by his son. The location: in the home that Marvin Gaye gave to his father and mother.
Marvin P. Gay Sr. pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was given a six-year suspended prison sentence. He died of pneumonia at a retirement home in California in 1998.
By all accounts, the iconic musician and his father had a very troubled relationship. Gay Sr. was a former minister in the House Of God church who reportedly ran a violent and abusive household. It was also said he had a penchant for dressing in women’s clothing. Reportedly Marvin Gaye added the ‘e’ in his last name, among other reasons, to distance himself from his family and any questions of sexuality.
Marvin Gaye’s sister Zeola has forgiven her father for shooting her famous brother, saying while she did not condone it in any way, “that is something he would have to answer to with God.”
A Grammy award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Marvin Gaye is known as one of “Motown’s renaissance men” who “could do it all.” Even after his death, legal battles follow his estate. In March 2015, Gaye’s family was awarded a $7.3 million settlement after accusations that Robin Thicke and Pharrell’s hit “Blurred Lines” blatantly infringed upon “Got To Give It Up.”
Though his life was cut short on the eve of his 45th birthday, Marvin Gaye leaves behind a rich legacy in music and popular culture. Share your memories and comments below.
Police said the argument between the father and son began when Gaye was unable to find an insurance company letter that had nothing to do with the singer.
Probation investigators said Gaye had apparently beaten his father shortly before the shooting. Shortly after the arrest, it was discovered that Gaye Sr. had a brain tumor.
The two men reportedly had a troubled relationship, with the son never believing that the father appreciated his success. "I'm sorry.... I loved him," Gaye Sr. said at his sentencing.
"If I could bring him back, I would. I was afraid of him. I thought I was going to get hurt. I didn't know what was going to happen. I'm really sorry for everything that happened. I loved him. I wish he could step through this door right now. I'm paying the price now."
The father died in 1998 at age 83.
Marvin Gaye Jr. had 13 records in the top 10 from 1963 to 1977. Among his best-known hits were "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Sexual Healing," "Let's Get It On" and "What's Going On."
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