If you listen to his sessions with Norman Whitfield you can tell that Whitfield had him singing at too high in his vocal range. It still came out great but Marvin butted heads with him A LOT. "Grapevine" is a good example of a song that he killed it on but probably could've been done at a lower register as he'd often be left with a sore throat. I believe he would always key it down in his future live performances of the song.
I Applaud VLAD TV for giving our Greats like SMOKEY their time and letting us old heads see the people we know and love what we grew up on and what was driving musically in 50's ,60's,70's and beyond.
I was born & raised in Detroit, Michigan. When I was 13 years of age, after hearing Marvin Gaye's music I had to meet him! (I had every album he ever made!) I did not know what a “Concert” was, but I snuck out the house, willing to bear the consequences of "getting in trouble" with my very strict Mother. A guy that had a crush on me drove me to Cobo Hall. After we arrived I excused myself and somehow I made it to the front row! Marvin Gaye reached out to me, held my hand and sang a part of "Distant Lover" to me...I will forever cherish those moments! There will never be another Marvin Gaye!...One of the most handsome & sexiest men that’s ever lived! My apologies to my Dear Mother because as a teen if I didn't play my Distant Lover ALBUM one million times I've never played it!☮
Good for you! On the other hand, I got the "experience" a "part of Marvin" in a very different way; a few years after Marvin was killed, I wound up dating (Jan) his second wife .
Marvin’s range as a singer was insane when you think about it. The way he could sound rough and gritty like a Gospel singer and croon like a smooth jazz singer -sometimes doing this all in one song - is one example of his gifts as a singer. Only other male singers that could rival Marvin in the vocalist department are Al Green and Ron Isley.
@@magnum-kj5ip I was mostly referring his singing. As a vocalist, he was a phenom, but I would argue Al Green and Ron Isley were just as great. If we’re discussing his overall artistry (i.e., songwriter, producer, playing multiple instruments, .etc) then you’re right, Marvin is in a league of his own.
@@jamals.8786 Al Green is an all time great. I love AG but I don't think he could sing better or close either. If you watch the live shows Marvin Gaye is far beyond AL Green. And much respect to Al Green. I play him all the time too
The Tempations, The Supremes and Marvin Gaye all initally struggled in the beginning of their musical careers but they are the among the most remembered and celebrated acts that were every signed to Motown.
@@NOV123 Not quite, the story goes Stevie wrote the music and wanted to release it as a instrumental. When Stevie let Smokey hear it at the Motown Christmas party, Smokey wanted it and Stevie gave it to him. Smokey wrote the lyrics and the rest is history...
Going to a Go Go still makes me happy everytime I hear it. My dad introduced Smokey to me as a kid. He’s such a legend ❤️❤️❤️ give him his flowers NOW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm not much of a pure singer, I gave up being a singer when I realized that I could never sing like Michael Jackson so I learned how to play guitar but Marvin Gaye is one of my greatest inspiration on vocals!
I think "I second that emotion" was the the miracle's second biggest hit. This man is beyond legendary. Your favorite songwriters, favorite songwriter.
Was just listening to Levi Stubbs sing a Jimmy Webb song, "Do What You Gotta Do", and his vocal was jaw-dropping. He could've had a HUGE solo career but he stuck with his friends in the group.
This interview is outstanding. It's so important to learn about the music that changed the world. The Motown and TSOP were two of the top recording industries that set the stage for other record labels to become successful. Vlad must interview Gamble and Huff.
I came up on Marvin Gaye, been a fan of his since the early 60s, I was there and was of the age to have experienced his best and most acclaimed work with Tammi, Kim Weston, What's Going On, Let's Get It On and more. GenX and millennials will never get it because they missed out the late 60s and early 70s. R Kelly is their era
Tammi Terrell was soooo beautiful. I used to think that they were a couple, because they sang so many songs together and had great chemistry. It's ashamed what happened to both of them.
Marvin Gaye’s first “hit” was really “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” (or you could say it was “Pride And Joy” as that was his first time cracking the Top 10 on the Pop charts). “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” was written by Marvin, Mickey Stevenson & George Gordy and was released in 1962. “I’ll Be Doggone” & “Ain’t That Peculiar” were definitely written by Smokey (along with other members of The Miracles) but they were _not_ Marvin’s first hits and were released in 1965 (released about 3 months after “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You” which was a monster hit so idk what lull in Marvin’s career Smokey was talking about 🤷🏾♀️). Lyrically speaking, “Ain’t That Peculiar” might be one of Smokey’s finest compositions. Simple yet poignant: “You tell me lies that should be obvious to me But I'm so much in love with you, baby, 'til I don't want to see That the things you do and say are designed to make me blue It’s a doggone shame my love for you makes all your lies seem true But if the truth makes love last longer Why do lies make my love stronger?” Brilliant! 👍🏾👍🏾
Marvin Gaye was my first favorite solo Motown artist, starting with his song, "Take This Heart of Mine." As far as I am concerned, Motown had lots of great songs, and some that were never broadcasted on the air, as underrated.
You can tell Smokey is not egotistical and doesn’t give a shit about all these accolades. And yet, Vlad just keeps spouting em off, just to be replied with: “Okay.”
Cruisin, Tracks of My Tears, and Ohh Baby, Baby my top three Smokey/Miracles cuts. Regarding Marvin Gaye, Inner City Blues and Trouble Man!! The movie Trouble Man is also my shit (Marvin scored the whole film - showed off his jazz roots).
I have been singing Smokey since "What's so good about goodby" came out. Have sang Ooo Baby Baby in bands 10,000 times. Every rime I sing Smokey, I am reminded that there is only one Smokey R., and I ain't him. LOL. I will always feel like a cheap imitation. Smokey is the greatest.
Wonderful to see the GREAT Smokey Robinson at 82 years old in good health and telling us about all the Motown GREATS like Marvin Gaye! " Marvin. He was a friend of mine. And he could sing a song. His heart in every line! " The Commodores said it best!! R.I.P. Marvin Gaye. R.I.P. Tammi Terrell.
It's a pleasure to listen to Smokey Robinson give us the inside story. He speaks well yet is still humble. He also seems unaffected by fame and its POISON. Keep on keeping on.
imagine being an elite artist and also you can say at the same time i write for the temps, supremes, Marvin Gaye, and other Motown groups. Only a few ppl have been able to do either or but to do both continuously is crazy.
Hey, Mr. Robinson always good tp hear you give the true Motown experience to the public.... My Aunt Liz who recently passed knew all of you..... She spoke highly of her experiences back in the day......Obviously, I havent seen the full interview yet but the snippets I have caught here on Vlad has brought a smile to my face........ You are truly a living legend soul cat....... One love, DDS
I like ❤❤❤❤Marvin Gaye’s, “One More Heartache” which Smokey had written along with The Miracles with the exception of Claudette. When I say Marvin took it to church. He showed out on that one!!
Marvin Gaye was legit!! He is one of my favorites if not my favorite singer of all time. But I can't say he's the greatest singer ever. I mean especially even in his era. I mean you can name anyone from his era and they can make a case as being the greatest singer but Marvin Gaye can hold his own against anyone past present or right now if he was still alive.
Thanks for showing young grasshopper... GenXers need to stick with their era. You guys didn't experience What's Going On or Let's Get It On (no your parents playing their music isn't the same).
I disagree with you, based on your reasoning. Marvin Gaye is better than every singer currently in the industry today. Now, when you compare him to his contemporaries, you may have an argument.
@@LIBryda You want me to name the singers in his era and you're over here trying to tell me that I need to stay on my way man. You need to get the F*** on somewhere.
I think he said Marvin was "one of the best singers I've ever heard", not "the best singer ever." Because Smokey is so careful to be accurate, I think this should be noted.
Hi edagdwg god bless this man I love Marvin Gaye is my boy friend and Teddy P. Love them picked up Eddie K. Life was fun enjoy all them singing about love Linda j. Peace
I stayed up the street from his and Diana Ross's childhood house's on Belmont in the north end close to Woodward avenue but I never knew he stayed there until this interview, Berry Gordy's house was a block away across Woodward on Boston Ave.
I agree about Marvin being one of the greatest singers- but let’s not forget about Sam Cooke. Sam was right there at Marvin’s level- if not slightly better.
The tracks of my tear stay in my mind because of that movie The walking dead with Eddie griffin that scene when he lost his job and his woman and the first time u seen Eddie in a dramatic role& that smokey song was playing in the background
If you’re ever going through a break up listen to Marvin Gaye hear my dear album. It’ll be the greatest album you’ve ever listen to the track for track.
@@frederickifill3107 even if that were true which you know it isn’t, Elvis could adapt his voice to more genres of music than anyone else who ever lived. gospel, country, rhythm and blues, even opera and tender love ballads. Elvis was the complete package of an entertainer, nobody was more dynamic, nobody was more adaptable.
@@TheBucketSkill Kendricks was my fav when I was younger but David's voice was on another level. Listen to a song called "You'll lose a Precious love" David voice was diff
Marvin. Was. One. Of. The. Best. Singers. Ever. And. Don't. Forget. He. Was. The. First. Singer. To. Overdub. His. Vocals. Case. In. Point. The. What's. Going. On. Album.
