It's the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest and most significant pieces of American art ever produced! Join us as we journey back to 1971 to discover the chaos, tragedy, and social pulse that fueled Marvin Gaye to write and record What's Going On.
In the first half of the pod, we seek to uncover the complex figure of Marvin Gaye in his early years at Motown. We detail all the heartbreak that led up to writing What's Going On, including his abusive father, his ever-strained relationship with Berry Gordy & Motown, the tragic loss of Tammi Terrell, as well as the ongoing Vietnam War, racial inequality, police brutality, drug abuse, and economic strife that set backdrop for the early 1970s.
In the second half, we dive into the iconic album itself. Learn about myths and legends from the infamously chaotic recording sessions, as well as Marvin Gaye coming into his own as a songwriter and experimentalist, pushing Soul and American music into as of yet uncharted territory.
You can find the profoundly grooving playlist for today's episode (and all our episodes) on our Spotify account: Music Club Pod
Follow us on instagram and twitter for super cool music puns and stuff: @musicclubpod
If you like what you hear, help us out and tell a friend. Smooches XOXO.
