Marvin Gaye's biographer on 50 years of 'What's Going On'

[@joehartman87]

I'm in tears. I was a young man when this album came out. Lots of people were aware of the environment back then. Mostly hippies. Such a talent. So brave. So beautiful.

[@Marxist2]

This is why I love The Grayzone! Thank you for covering the timeless sounds of this important musician: The Great Marvin Gaye.

[@rhonda6791]

I listen to Marvin everyday. He’s beyond the best. And this song was where he wanted his message to go. I love Marvin always, no one was like him. xx

[@johnsmith1474]

Ahem, sure sure.

[@SandraSmith-vb5pf]

So Very Glad that this Magnificent Album by Marvin Gaye is being honoured by Aaron Mate and somewhat ironically I hold Aaron in equally high esteem as a Fine Journalist with a genuine regard for Honesty in Journalism. ⚖️✊🙏👍✨✨✨🌬Magical ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank You So Very Much.

[@redlipstickmafia]

🙏Amen to that. I’ve been listening to and performing his music for many DECADES, but NEVER get tired of it.

[@rhonda6791]

@@redlipstickmafia Decades is good, he’ll keep you happy, too bad my voice isn’t fit for other humans. A while ago I developed a program for people with dementia, we began each session dancing and singing to Marvin, everyone smiled! Like you I’ll sing with Marvin and love him forever. Take care Jan 🙂

[@redlipstickmafia]

@@rhonda6791 What a great program, I’m sure it helped a lot of people! It’s amazing to see how people suffering with dementia may have difficulty communicating, but when it comes to music, pleasant memories can be triggered and the stress seems to melts away. My aunt had dementia and really couldn’t even communicate any more. Her friend brought her to one of my gigs, and she smiled, clapped in rhythm, and sang along the entire night!

[@RyanFreid]

I never expected this to be an episode of Pushback, but I'm all for it.

[@buck13horn]

Beautiful show Aaron. Good on you for loving “What’s Going On” and for highlighting the contribution music can make to the cause of anti-imperialism.

[@SandraSmith-vb5pf]

I am a Scottish Woman who’s loved this Album 💿 all my life and have handed on this 💕 to my sons and hopefully my grandsons will get to also love the Album and Love What’s Going On and it’s Genius. Thank You So Much Aaron 🌬🌈🙏🙏

[@SandraSmith-vb5pf]

Thank You Aaron ✊🏼✊🏾✊🏿Brilliant ✨✨✨✨✨🙏👍🏻🤷🏿🤷🏻🤷🏾Magic🌬

[@suecosueco]

indeed. for a hardcore song who discribes the horror in the world i recommend "do evolution" from pearl jam

[@Bisquick]

​@@suecosueco Indeed! Love Marvin Gaye, Pearl Jam also amazing, and of course if anyone happens to be looking for even further escalation in that more hardcore essence direction, basically anything by System of a Down comes to mind immediately, maybe a more obscure but recent album/band I find particularly relevant/substantive in its depth and raw directness is Palimpsest by Protest the Hero, basically a retelling of 20th century American history stripped of its culturally ingrained mythological veneer. The song Little Snakes prob one my favs at the moment, about the reneging of a US treaty with the Sioux "Indians" (Cherokee friend of mine told me once he appreciates the term "indian" precisely because it inherently reveals how stupid/ignorant the colonists were lol, but yes, the indigenous tribe, just wanted to mention that) in the black hills upon discovering previously unknown gold deposits in the region and the following genocidal excavation & construction of Mt.Rushmore to quite literally erect a facade over that history. Sadly a persistent theme & time honored american tradition obviously and a historical continuity toward the grotesque yet almost banal/normalized actions of US empire today, maybe especially notable in highlighting the contradiction of Teddy Roosevelt's more well-known anti-trust "progressivism" with this other less flattering side of his legacy, _"colonialism by all definitions is the father to a genocide"_ Actually if anyone cares/is bored or whatever, here: youtube (dot) com/watch?v=OXyb5tDR8RA (disclaimer: is unnecessarily complicated prog-metal lol)

[@masamus6570]

@@SandraSmith-vb5pf lnmo of O of o

[@WWStorm]

Marvin Gaye was ahead of his time. I love his music. So sad what happened to him. A lot of motown singers had such tragic sad endings.

[@ramonrosario4904]

I always felt that Marvin Should of receivrd a Grammy for his efforts in Song writing ..His What's Going On I's a masterpiece in my eyes..I totally luv this Album..

[@warmleatherette5652]

Didn't know that you had it in you, thank you Aaron! Some music and even maybe movie segments that have political themes is just a great idea. You're one of the best Aaron!

[@davidhutchinson5233]

Marvin, he was a friend of mine And he could sing his song His heart in every line Marvin, sang of the joy and pain He opened up our minds And I still can hear him say Oh talk to me, so you can see, what's goin' on Say you will, sing your songs, for evermore, evermore The Commodores - Nightshift 1985.

[@bsib5021]

Just when I thought I couldn't like Aaron any more than I do, he does this. Damn you Aaron, I wish you were my brother.

[@non-standardproletarian3356]

"Inner City Blues": a song I've never tired of. Tragic and beautiful at the same time. Marvin Gaye was...well...yeah, you know.

[@caballosinnombre3981]

yes... & the great gil scott heron homage too

[@bsib5021]

I just love "What's Happening Brother". It just hits me every time. The whole album is beyond music but that song pulls me in

[@Kinkle_Z]

I was 22 when that album came out and it was beyond HEAVENLY! Just what we needed!

[@didyasaysomethin2me]

I was -1, and still I can't get enough of it or learning what inspired it. It's timeless, for all the good and bad things that says about us and our society.

[@johnblackman9720]

"Don't punish me, with brutality Talk to me, so you can see What's going on"

[@theskyatnightrawunderthedome]

The more things change, the more they stay the same~ What's going on is music for our time 🌹

[@rhonda6791]

For all time

[@SandraSmith-vb5pf]

Magnificent ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@baronarmenian5019]

Marvin had such a range of songs, it demonstrates his talents.

[@tonysmith5878]

CLASSIC.

[@wendysheets8730]

Some big media outlets criticized an album with an anti-war message??? Shocker...

[@indigozen4794]

sang in front of Marvin's dad, on his piano in the Compton home, Marvin was on tour. But if you want to see where Marvin's new sound derived from, listen to the writer of alot of the tunes, Leon Ware, check out Taste of Love, I'm on a tune with Leon called "Telepathy". Having worked with Leon left me very surprised, but pleasantly! He passed on 2 years ago of cancer. A loss like Marvin. Leon is rarely mentioned.

[@JJ-wj6un]

WOW, it was '60 & '70's remembering Marvin put me there. A very tourmoil times. Great, tribute to Marvin & to be able to hear the full story of an artist is a real healing for me. Thank you Grayzone... RIP Marvin Gaye

[@JJ-wj6un]

Loved Marvin Gay's Music. He was right on about "What's going on" in the time of VietNam War!!! Great tribute video.... memory of young impressionable a new thought about life to waking up about life. God Bless & RIP Marvin Gay.

[@dlwseattle]

If I didn't already love Aaron enough, we now get this side of him. Would love to know of his other musical faves.

[@raphaelbernard7954]

Great interview of David Ritz, someone who is a songwriter and a friend of Marvin's who also wrote songs with him. Very informative.

[@joeymalone8974]

I did not think it was possible to respect a journalist's work any more than I already do. I was wrong. Beautiful Aaron, thank you...

[@stacy9345]

Love Marvin Gaye!!! I still have that album.

[@Ainttrippin]

The sad thing is how true the words of that album today. Marvin cried out to try to warn the war about income inequality; environmental devastation, imperialism and racism...and all those problems and alive and well today.

[@edc3743]

BLESS YOU GUYS, BLESS YOU GUYS, BLESS YOU GUYS, BLESS YOU GUYS, BLESS YOU GUYS, BLESS YOU GUYS💙💙💙💙💙💙 IF MARVIN WERE ALIVE TODAY, all he would do is cry. Forever. No More Music. Only Extinction Left. He Who Speaks, Does Not Know, He Who Knows, Does Not Speak.

[@nataliewilliams9741]

I'm going to listen to some Marvin next! Thanks for the great interview, Aaron! 👍❣️

[@kindcrone]

Thank you Aaron. I truly love you. "What's Going On" has always validated my sorrow for our earth's unnecessary suffering. And now you, have validated Marvin Gaye's timeless and spiritually harmonious expression, as it will be always of utmost relevance, as long as conscious souls are aware of our dysregulated world.

[@cambriawellness3102]

So fine....God bless his soul, and your's too, Aaron. Your's too, David.

[@stephenbrooker6582]

You are diverse...love 💘it...once again thank you

[@apostleharrietlocklear8138]

Mr. Marvin Gaye was a musical prophet of all time he saw way ahead of his time. what’s happening today Mercy Mercy me this songs will never die. They will go on till the end of times. Mr. Marvin Gaye was a genius. May he rest our IP

[@MatthewLevine79]

Amazing interview! Now I want to read the book.

[@joecizin9357]

Beautiful 💔 so what's going on, Wake up People.

[@yurik1068]

Thank you Aaron for interviewing this gentleman a wealth of knowledge about Marvin Gay and the whole history. Wow!!! Thank you guys.

[@evelynwalters8692]

Aaron (Buzzsaw) I did not think I could love and respect you more then I already do, then you blow our minds with this great interview! Much respect, your a genius.

[@d.russellmoros7841]

Indeed, the LP 'What's Going On' has endured over these 50 years and still sounds fresh and timely! Thanks for the show Aaron.

[@judy5545]

WOW! Thank you Aaron for this tid bit from the past. Marvin and his songs were so very present in my youth. I'm so glad to see that the youth of today, ( a select few, like you Aaron) are in tune with history. Rest in peace Marvin, most of us didn't know about your struggles. You are loved. Thanks again Aaron 🙏❤

[@PortlandsTransport]

When that song came out I played it over and over and over and over. What a tragic life

[@sidjames5827]

This was a work of the heart thanks. I named my son after him and listened to the album with my dad. It has been a model for the life I strive for, obviously I'm not alone.

[@gannibalof21st]

Sorry Aaron I have to stop in between to listen to Marvin. Thank you brother.

[@robturner4192]

One of my favorite Pushbacks

[@JuxJacy]

His vocals on "If I Should Die Tonight" tho. His talent was out of this world.

[@johnsmith1474]

"His vocals tho?" That's not English, what is it?

[@JuxJacy]

@@johnsmith1474 It's slang.

[@sultryrobin]

One of my very favorite songs ever

[@SandraSmith-vb5pf]

@John Smith 👏👏👏👏👏🤡

[@wyliegarcia5965]

@@johnsmith1474 actually it’s a reference to an ad for Kawhi Leonard shoes

[@barquerojuancarlos7253]

Aaron has soul! (as they said then) Thanks, Aaron and David

[@sobdjs]

I’m a big Marvin Gaye fan like Aaron and 70s era Marvin Gaye was the best. “Let’s Get It On”, “What’s Going On”, and “I Want You” are timeless

[@albertog7245]

'I Want You' could very well be my favorite love song. So plreadingly beautiful on top of a beautiful groove.

[@giovannigentile7211]

Thank you Aron from Italy 🇮🇹

[@Helder124]

Just a amazing interview. What a great man Mr Gaye was.

[@Rossion64]

I heard it recently and thought how in some things the situation is worse.

[@larrybee7713]

Greatest artist of all time and there have been some great artists out there. No filler or BS from Marvin just "keeping it real" always.

[@lyndastrait]

I was 15 when this came out. My sister was the one who always picked the music & I love this album, it was played over & over again until she saved enough for another. ." What's Going On" was my favorite because of the message. I loved protest songs as a child because we were so far from the ideal, and I had so much hope, It's frustrating to see so few gains, in a lifetime. And my retirement was stolen by Wall Street Crooks.

[@catnekokotyonok5180]

Sorry about that, @LyndaStrait 😞 ✌🏼

[@lyndastrait]

@@catnekokotyonok5180 That comment was supposed to be on the video I watched just before this one. LOL.

[@catnekokotyonok5180]

@@lyndastrait Ah, OK. ☮️, My friend.

[@sorcesscores5366]

Music that helps keep you stay sane is a good way to put it. Because it’s pretty clear there’s a lot of crazy things going on that are treated as ‘normal’ or continue despite being labeled ‘a problem’.

[@fairenoughthenwhat]

Beautiful and smooth, but also confronting- man. Great art. What's going on people?

[@Petrov3434]

Marvelous interview !!!

[@Walter-vi3vh]

Power & strength to Aaron Mate.

[@joecasual2952]

Aaron: you never cease to amaze. And thank you David Ritz!

[@edmundlubega9647]

Marvin Gaye, John Lennon and Franklin Boukaka were all born in 1940 and all released iconic albums and hits in 1970 with social justice themes. All of them were shot dead, with Boukaka being the first to go. The only reason Boukaka is not well known in the West is that he sang in Congolese

[@SusanHopkinson]

🙏🏻

[@edmundlubega9647]

Le Boucheron - Franklin Boukaka: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqenn2Rndqqil9U

[@lucymatos2274]

My favorite song.🌹🙏🌹

[@mars54mars54]

one of my fave songs/albums of all time. Marvin was so smooth. Thank you so much for this.

[@NachoVideo]

Great topic Aaron and very interesting and enjoyable interview with such an eloquent guest. Great to see you divert from politics.

[@katymeigs5290]

Great interview!

[@cherier152]

Great interview! Save the Children is so right for these times. But he did leave this world far too soon but what a legacy!

[@pierremoreau986]

Great interview, and interviewee! There's a wonderful version of WGO on Donny Hathaway Live, another very sad character. More of this Aaron please 🙏

[@riverman837]

Amazing content in this interview. Absolutely loving this! ❤️ Thank you, Aaron.

[@gulliegulliver4546]

This was great. I am aware of Marvin Gaye and his big hits but now need to dive in to the entire catalogue. Thank you.

[@stuarthayner]

They still play this on the radio.. but most don’t hear the Words! Important word we need to learn!

[@therealrich318]

This is by far my favourite Interview ever!

[@markearl7172]

bigotry needs to end its a stain on humanity

[@experiessence]

Great segment, Aaron! So glad you took the opportunity to focus on the synergy between art & politics, which many transcendent artists like Marvin Gaye have done and continue to do. Peace

[@judecrossen984]

Wonderful tribute. Thank you for this . ☮️

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great Video! Thank you so much

[@JRich-yz3he]

I had that album. Big Sigh. Timeless. Thank you Aaron for this great interview :)

[@redlipstickmafia]

Thank you for this Aaron, I’ve been a fan of Marvin Gaye my whole life and I love playing this song. Also loved Mercy Mercy the Ecology about the damage being done to the environment. I’m always looking for music that speaks to important issues. But I basically love everything Marvin Gaye ever did- the Tammi Turrell duets, Heard it Through the Grapevine which was so soulful, How Sweet it Is, Let’s Get It On is the sexiest song ever (and its late coming sequel, Sexual Healing. And he did some incredible classic old school gospel .

[@marciaguzman2831]

Really? This is a gift much appreciated! Thank you, dear Aaron! You've just showed us the most beautiful of the interviews! Your guest, sharp and illustrious, kept the rhythm flowing, and you both made all that Marvin's love dance around our hearts. I loved it! 💖💗💙💚💛💜💝💕❤💞 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@lechat8533]

Great topic. Great interview!

[@ID30394]

I've followed Marvin's life. He fell many times and still managed to come back with a beautiful melody Sexual healing. He died essentially from his inner demons, so to say.

[@stevefromaccounting8062]

His father murdered him.

[@megamafiarecords]

@@stevefromaccounting8062 he set it up as a suicide attempt. If u read his brother's biography u would see he set it up because he was too afraid to shoot himself.

[@garfieldharrison510]

I have the Book David Ritz wrote with Marvin Gaye Divided Soul. I read often. It's interesting how he broke it down. I used to listen to the "What's Going On" album every Sunday morning like a religion. Marvin is one of my favorite Artists. The fact that as a protagonist he would play his Brother in the album is interesting. The album had an ethereal tone to it. He touched subjects that made so much sense. David Ritz is trying to break down the sauce of this masterpiece. But, no matter how you cut it. The result is explanatory. The Genius is Marvin emoting and expressing himself honestly wholeheartedly. It's self evident. To think Time Magazine called it goopy. Really? A Black American who presents such a masterpiece representing a great form of American Music with tinges of Jazz and whatever Soul means. It's all their in its glory. That's why we still commenting about it. Like that Mr. Ritz mentioned SADE. A lot of their sound I'm sure Marvin's album was a great blue print for that virtuoso kind of expression. He left the world ironically in Violence. It was revolutionary. Through all the insecure devices we attract in our life time. Marvin truly met those too. But, to hear that he was insecure about his amazing vocal prowess. It tells me something about his Grace and Humility. I'm glad that he never gave us a second What's Going On". His other albums were also brilliant. Midnight Love was one of my favorite.

[@bolder2009]

Yeah Sade band members were Marvin Gaye fans. Stuart Matthewman has spoken about how much of a Marvin Gaye fan he is and that the guitar playing by Wah Wah Watson on Let's Get It On, influenced his playing on Diamond Life. Sade Adu was also influenced/inspired by Marvin Gaye.

[@msl5253]

That was great Aaron. Thank you so much!! Love Marvin Gaye; David Ritz, and the Grayzone!!

[@wyliegarcia5965]

Aaron, thank you.

[@cherrybakewell1338]

Just the breath of fresh air I needed. Thank you 🕊❤️

[@didyasaysomethin2me]

I usually don't make it all the way through your uploads. But all of the social and political upheaval in the world couldn't have dragged me away from this one. 💯

[@MachYew]

It was great listening to Aaron talk about this album (and Marvin's other albums, half of which I'd never gotten around to listening to until now) with his brother on Daniel Mate's channel, and so good to hear this extended tribute 🙌🏼

[@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL]

got to give it up

[@luxtuttle4970]

A wonderful and meaningful show! Thanks Aaron.

[@Jraymiami]

Thank you.

[@ivangoran4461]

Interesting how people searching for truth listen to the same good old music also. Greetings from occupied Yugoslavia!

[@yelenaangeleski3354]

❤

[@therevolutionwill23]

Very cool show.

[@garfieldharrison510]

As a Singer and Songwriter, I did my best to emulate and sublimate the way he recorded and wrote his songs. It's always nice to capture the essence of what made an artist like that tick. Whatever I discovered from Marvin was that he was a sagacious virtuoso. It came through in his music. Love it. That's what made him special. The book Divided Soul was amazing. I actually have a book on some other Artists. Divided Soul is a compelling read. I studied it up and down. I haven't read it in awhile. My love for his music is why I read it so fastidiously. David Ritz written the Ray Charles Autobiography. That impressed Marvin as well as his Time Magazine review. I wish he never left Europe. Bad move. He never should've left Europe . Maybe he should've only decided to just work in America and go back to a safe haven in Europe. He would still be here. Here My Dear was also my personal favorite Album from Marvin. I loved ANGER and SPARROW. Brilliant. It's under rated because it didn't appeal commercially. That's their loss. Who discovered the album years later fell in love with it.

[@zovalentine7305]

Rest in powerful peace Marvin Gaye, Prince of Motown/Prince of Soul (titles by Motown) 2 April 1939 ~ 1 April 1984⚘

[@pacerodi]

Thanks, Aaron!

[@georgebushwack]

Great piece. Thanks Aaron!

[@nicholaskostopulos8631]

Great job guys, coming up with this. Do more social and pop commentary; don’t leave it all to Chris Hedges (the king tut of social commentary) ! Enjoyed the show !

[@gerry4281]

Great coverage. Thanks. ❤️

[@dillardsholes4244]

God I love you....

[@SusanHopkinson]

Growing up in Ontario in the 60’s and 70’s we definitely had a sense of environmental issues. When I was 6 (1972) we were taught about pollution and made to go out and collect any garbage we found on around our school. The government had just made littering a more serious offense and it worked to raise sensitivity to bigger issues. David Suzuki - Canada’s David Attenborough - was a rare but tireless voice on TV for protecting the environment and still is today. I met Frankie Gaye and his wife Irene in Toronto in the mid 1980s when I babysat little April for them in their hotel while he was doing gigs. His musical career was overshadowed by Marvin, especially as he had only recently passed, and there was a lot of strife and tears which cut short my babysitting gig and brush with fame. PTSD wasn’t a big consideration then, and he was grappling with a lot. Lovely brothers who gave us the best of themselves 🙏🏻

[@Pad_See_Ew]

Epic artist and LP. Love love. 'Let's Get It On' as close to brilliant too -A side note, albeit perhaps less polish, let's not forget one of Marvin's contemporaries, Gil Scott-Heron.

[@69Mucci]

Great interview

[@apollobrown6568]

Thanks Aaron

[@SPTO]

Great interview. I always love listening to Mr. Ritz talking about Marvin. Even though I know the factual stuff he almost always adds in some texture that I never thought of before or brings up an aspect of Marvin that isn't brought up much. This interview is no exception. I never thought of WHAT'S GOING ON as akin to Smooth Jazz but the comparison is definitely apt.

This was a great discussion. Thanks for sharing.

[@adrianthornton8288]

Aaron that really was a great interview...if you get the chance, maybe do some more interviews in this popular culture space...anyway excellent work as usual, thanks..

[@renemarie911]

So glad it was you doing this. Exploiting musicians while completely missing the message is so endemic of capitalism and neo-liberals, lol, true. Music and Marvin shaped my world for the better. I credit music for a majority of my awareness. I always find it interesting how people of peace seem to die so violently. John Lennon also had his demons and violent tendencies only toward the end to write Imagine. Not to mention Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King and of course, Jesus. All human and divine to varying degrees leaving us the fruits of their struggles. Thank you. Like colors my favorite Marvin songs change. Trouble man is always way up there. Distant lover live, is insane.