I was 13 when I first heard the song "What's Going On" as track 4 on the B-side of my Mum's "Super Bad" 24 track Soul compilation LP. At first the rich melody haunted me and I kept on playing it over and over again. Then I realized the significance of the lyrics and became a life long fan of this troubled man's songs. He was in a realm of his own, mostly due to the pain he received from his crack-pot father, where he channeled a higher compassion for love and empathy for the world, as abused children often do. Michael Jackson was another for example.

I worked with Marvin's God- daughter Latrice in '95 and her boyfriend MK, now a famous House Music producer.. When Latrice was a little baby, Marvin secretly went and babysat her for a few hours whilst he was supposed to be back-stage getting ready for a concert in Chicago. Instead he was across town singing songs to Latrice to get her to sleep, driving the concert management crazy wondering where he was. Her mother told me that story and it was no surprise really, he was his own man in brilliant and self-destructive ways. He eventually got to the concert. 

Talking of concerts, seeing Marvin live at the London Royal Albert Hall in 1980, before he lost his way in life, is one of my most a cherished memories. He canceled the date twice and then, when he finally confirmed the date, I nearly lost my two tickets when my wallet fell out of the back trouser pocket of my jeans in a village pub, the Black Lion in Southfleet, 5 miles from home. I was there having a Christmas lunchtime drink with my Dad. After we left I pulled up at the family house I realised that I didn't have my wallet but divinity was in my corner as I drove quickly back to the pub and there was my wallet still under the table with the two tickets safely inside. I still to this day don't know how the wallet was not spotted and it was at least 30 minutes before I realised and got back there to the pub. My guardian angels at work again.

The hit single "Sexual Healing" was a huge success for Marvin in 1982, big a rebirth of his career, but to my ears it doesn't hold a romantic candle to his 1976 album called "I Want You", a collection of songs he wrote and recorded for his girlfriend and eventual wife Janis Hunter. It was smokin', sultry, steaming and richly melodic. Pleading for her to let him love her. I still believe to this day it is his finest love music up there with "What's Going On" but a different message. The message of LOVE.....

Click the video below for a live rendition of "What's Going On" with Marvin at the piano. Pure artistry in its finest form. Performed and recorded at the 1973 "Save The Children" concert in Philadelphia, USA.