Marvin Gaye: What's Going On and the Last Days of the Motown Sound

by Ben Edmonds

With a career that exemplified the maturation of romantic black pop into a sophisticated form spanning social and sexual polities, Marvin Gaye was one of the most consistent and enigmatic of the Motown hit makers. Through interviews with many of the artists and record-company employees closest to the singer, Edmonds examines in detail the making of the legendary What's Going On. In an era of Vietnam and civil rights protests, Gaye's determination and vision resulted not only in inspirational, pioneering grooves but in an album that challenged America to take a long, hard look at itself.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

296 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2001

Reviews

[Trissi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book and it was helpful in getting a good insight into Motown. Unfortunately, the book was often repetitive in content and it was half revealing, half exhausting for a factual book as it ran into a lot of rumors and side information. Still, it was a fun and insightful read, and the author also had an analyzing and critically examining attitude, so I would recommend the book.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first case I've had where the RECORD is better than the book.
I personally just wanted it to be more about the context of the album in relation to the era. Still, a solid document of the making of one of my top 10 albums of all time.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would've liked it more if it concentrated on the making of What's Going On more and what was going on with Berry Gordy less.

But if you're obsessed with Marvin it's worth the short time it takes to read.

[Laura Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book opened my eyes to the depth of the album What's Going On. I had never truly listened much to Motown or Marvin Gaye but after reading this book I gained an appreciation.

[Dan Shonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Edmonds gives the readers an interesting and detailed look into the business of Berry Gordy's Motown. It's also something of a biography of Marvin Gaye. However, the book's main focus is a deep dive into the making of Marvin Gaye's groundbreaking album, What's Goin' On. Marvin Gaye was a complex and talented man, deeply talented, deeply caring, and deeply flawed. Ben Edmonds brings all of that to light in this book. What's Goin' On is an outstanding album from start to finish, and this book deepens the listeners' understanding of the effort that went into the creation of the album, and the depth of sounds in the songs. I highly recommend this book to music lovers in particular.

[Megan Loveless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not expect this to be such a page turner. I knew about Marvin Gaye and Motown, but the details in this book give so much backstory and context to chaos around both. As someone who works for a label, the assembly line process of Motown and all their characters was so interesting.