Artist:Marvin Gaye
Song:What's Going On
Album:What's Going On
Marvin Gaye's What's Going On is one of the most significant albums in black music history. Gaye was already a significant star but Motown owner Berry Gordy wasn't interested in producing socially relevant music. The recent tragic death of Gaye's duet partner Tammi Terrell and the recent return of Marvin's brother Frankie from a three year tour in the Vietnam War convinced Marvin that he needed to speak out. In late 1970, Obie Benson of The Four Tops brought him a song he had written with producer Al Cleveland. Gaye went into the studio with The Funk Brothers and recorded What's Going On. Benson & Cleveland also wrote Save The Children & Wholly Holy. Berry Gordy refused to release What's Going On because he didn't think it would sell. Gaye went on strike and refused to record until Gordy released it. He finally did and What's Going On hit number two on the pop singles charts in 1971. The album is an all time classic and changed the face of black music. Motown has rereleased What's Going On on CD several times including a 2CD Deluxe Edition featuring a vintage live performance. It's a must for anyone's CD collection. Here's Marvin Gaye with The Funk Brothers performing What's Going On & What's Happening Brother from the 1973 film Save The Children.
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