They Died Too Young - Marvin Gaye

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Title: They Died too Young (Marvin Gaye)

ISBN: 0 75251 614 0

Publishers: Parragon

Author: Tom Stockdale

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This book is one in a series about cult heroes who died before their time. Although there are many detailed biographies of Marvin Gaye they are usually weighty tomes. This pocket book (approx. 3 ins by 2 ins) which consists of 74 pages is much more concise. It could not possibly include all the details of a more ambitious biography but still manages to cover all the main events of the Motown star's life. It is ideal for someone who has a passing interest in Marvin but who has neither the time or inclination to tackle anything more comprehensive. .

Marvin Gaye lived a colourful life and despite being a Soul Superstar he was continually broke. He was the son of an autocratic Pentecostal Preacher who had no qualms about giving his son a severe beating if the mood so took him. In his later life Marvin squandered several fortunes by sponsoring boxers and backing dodgy football teams, he also became a drug addict and was known to keep company with prostitutes. Despite his many vices it was the conflict with his father which eventually proved to be his undoing. Marvin Gaye was only 44 years old when they had an argument over an insurance policy. It ended when his father took a gun and shot him dead.

The strength of this publication is undoubtedly the human interest story but there are other features of it which would be of interest to the soul fan. The book provides a glimpse into the workings of the Motown machine at that time, it also explains the significance of Marvin's work both in the context of his own life and also in the development of soul music in general. It is a well written offering which maintains the readers interest throughout. I found it to be a tasty appetiser which left me wanting to read something a little more comprehensive. My only complaint is that a book this size looks silly on my bookshelf.