Marvin Gaye's most fascinating album did NOT have the word "On" in the title. Nor does it have anything you could really call a hit. But it's impossible to tear your ears off it.
The album is Here, My Dear, recorded and released in late 1978. And it gives the lie to every other record (okay, there were only two: Double Fantasy and o{+>) that has claimed to be the "first rock soap opera." So! For those of you who watch the stories (and I know there are a few of you out there, so don't go lyin' to me), or for those of you who read trashy novels, or for those of you who like sad movies, or for those smart ones who just fucking like Marvin Gaye and '70s soul music, here's an incredible little tidbit of pop music history.
Marvin (who gets extra-specially-special props for having grown up just a few blocks away in my Washington, D.C. neighborhood) was married to Anna Gordy--the sister Berry Gordy, Jr., the man who founded Motown Records--for 13 years. And to get it to end he had to father a son (Marvin III) by Anna's niece, who was 15; have a long history of substance abuse; an affection for prostitutes; and then be separated for two years, during which he shacked up with an 18-year-old (he was 35 by then) who got pregnant with his daughter. Oh, he also spent all their money on big ol' luxuries, yachts and limousines and beach houses, not to mention the coke and whores, all the while claiming that he was broke and couldn't pay spouse or child support. Or income taxes, for that matter.
So! After two more years of divorce proceedings, in which Marvin paid zero in court-ordered payments and never showed up for court dates, he was finally cornered into a divorce settlement. By then, however, he really didn't have any money, and what he received in album advances and royalties went to the IRS for those income taxes he hadn't bothered with. So there would need to be some creative form of financial package for Ms. Gordy Gaye and little Marvin.
Article comments
1 - Paul Usher
I is a very honest album form the great marvin. it is a hugely underated album. more people should own it. the track "Everybody Needs Love" is in my opinion,one of marvin's best songs.
2 - Randy
Fans of Marvin Gaye may also be interested in the 'Music History' site, which includes articles on Marvin Gaye, Grant Green, Andy Summers, Stephen Stills, and many others. Follow the URL and then click the "Index" link at the top of the page to access all articles:
Randy
MUSIC HISTORY: Jazz / Rock / Blues / etc.