Artist

Marvin Gaye

1961-1984·Washington, D.C.

Marvin Gaye signed to Motown in 1961 and spent most of the decade making smooth, tightly produced soul records, the kind built for radio and dance floors rather than confrontation. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" nearly didn't happen at all: Motown's Friday quality-control meeting rejected the first version outright, and it took a rework before the song was resubmitted and became the label's best-selling single of the 1960s.

The full story is in Motown.

At a glance

Active
1961–1984
From
Washington, D.C., USA
Records in the issues
1 (1971), 1 of them a Start here pick
Original label
Tamla

Listen

Spotify

In the issues

  • Motown
    Principal · 1959-1972 · Members

    Motown is a music scene from Detroit, Michigan, USA, 1959–1972. Its principal artists include Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder. This issue covers 10 essential albums and 16 dated events.

Records