Frankie Gaye
Encyclopedia
Frankie Gaye was a singer and the younger brother of the more famous singer Marvin Gaye
. Born the son of minister Marvin Pentz Gay, Sr.
and domestic
Alberta Cooper in Washington, D.C.
, Frances watched as Marvin became a superstar. Frankie's horrific accounts of his service during the Vietnam War
(which included being a radio DJ) inspired Marvin's classic 1971 concept album
What's Going On
.
Frankie began his music career composing the soundtrack to the 1979 film Penitentiary. He would spend time singing on and off for his brother onstage as part of Marvin's touring band. During one of Marvin's first tours back from a six-year hiatus in 1973, Marvin had Frankie come on the stage to fool fans of his that Frankie was actually Marvin. When Marvin showed up, fans were understandably confused about the brothers' eerie similarities to each other. Frankie's most notable moment on any of Marvin's records was singing in the background of Marvin's 1977 hit, "Got to Give It Up
", featured on Marvin's Live at the London Palladium
album. He released two singles, "Extraordinary Girl" in 1989 and "My Brother" in 1990 and released the album of the same name on the latter year for Motorcity Records.
In 2000, he began composing the autobiography depicting the times and travels of his life with his older brother titled Marvin Gaye: My Brother. There's no telling on whether or not he was done with the biography, when on December 30, 2001, Gaye died of complications following a heart attack at the age of 60. The book was finally released in 2003 to mixed reviews.
Marvin's youngest child, Frankie Christian Gaye (born in November 1975), was named after Frankie.
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
. Born the son of minister Marvin Pentz Gay, Sr.
Marvin Pentz Gay, Sr.
The Reverend Marvin Pentz Gay Sr. was an American minister of the House of God. He was the father of musician Marvin Gaye and gained notoriety after shooting and killing him on April 1, 1984 following an argument at their Los Angeles home.-Early life:Gaye was born on a farm on along Catnip Hill...
and domestic
Domestic worker
A domestic worker is a man, woman or child who works within the employer's household. Domestic workers perform a variety of household services for an individual or a family, from providing care for children and elderly dependents to cleaning and household maintenance, known as housekeeping...
Alberta Cooper in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Frances watched as Marvin became a superstar. Frankie's horrific accounts of his service during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
(which included being a radio DJ) inspired Marvin's classic 1971 concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
What's Going On
What's Going On
What's Going On is the eleventh studio album by soul musician Marvin Gaye, released May 21, 1971, on the Motown-subsidiary label Tamla Records...
.
Frankie began his music career composing the soundtrack to the 1979 film Penitentiary. He would spend time singing on and off for his brother onstage as part of Marvin's touring band. During one of Marvin's first tours back from a six-year hiatus in 1973, Marvin had Frankie come on the stage to fool fans of his that Frankie was actually Marvin. When Marvin showed up, fans were understandably confused about the brothers' eerie similarities to each other. Frankie's most notable moment on any of Marvin's records was singing in the background of Marvin's 1977 hit, "Got to Give It Up
Got to Give It Up
"Got to Give It Up" is a funk/disco song by American recording artist Marvin Gaye. Written by the singer and produced by Art Stewart, it was recorded in three studio dates in 1976 with a final mixing in early 1977...
", featured on Marvin's Live at the London Palladium
Live at the London Palladium
Live at the London Palladium is a live double album by soul musician Marvin Gaye, released March 15, 1977 on Tamla Records. Recording sessions took place live at several concerts at the London Palladium in London, England in October of 1976, with the exception of the hit single "Got to Give It Up",...
album. He released two singles, "Extraordinary Girl" in 1989 and "My Brother" in 1990 and released the album of the same name on the latter year for Motorcity Records.
In 2000, he began composing the autobiography depicting the times and travels of his life with his older brother titled Marvin Gaye: My Brother. There's no telling on whether or not he was done with the biography, when on December 30, 2001, Gaye died of complications following a heart attack at the age of 60. The book was finally released in 2003 to mixed reviews.
Marvin's youngest child, Frankie Christian Gaye (born in November 1975), was named after Frankie.
Albums
- 1979: Penitentiary
- 1990: My Brother
- 1996: The Very Best of Frankie Gaye