Singer and songwriter Marvin Gaye is born in Washington, D.C.
At a Glance
- Date
- 2 April 1939
- Location
- Washington, D.C.
- Key people
- Marvin Gaye
- Category
- Music
- Source
- Recordings; biographical records · Britannica
What It Meant Then
He transformed soul music and gave it social conscience with 'What's Going On.'
What It Means Now
Gaye is regarded as one of the most influential artists in popular music.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Marvin Gaye Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/marvin-gaye-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Marvin Gaye Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/marvin-gaye-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Marvin Gaye Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/marvin-gaye-is-born/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.