Marvin Gaye

Perhaps it is appropriate for a city that is known for its political gossip (which in itself is a currency of sorts) - that one of it's native son's, Marvin Gaye, is known for his song "I heard it through the grapevine"



Marvin Gaye (real name - Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr.) was born in Washington in April 1939. He grew up in the city, and returned there after service in the Air Force. He began singing around the city, but in the late 1950s relocated to Chicago. While on tour he met in Detroit Berry Gordy Jr., who signed him to the Motown label in 1961.

His life ended tragically - shot by his own father - with a gun that Marvin had given to him as a present. A heated argument broke out between his parents, and Marvin tried to intervene.