Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (live at the Kennedy Center May 1st 1972)

At the time I was a professional musician in Washington, D.C., Bass guitar was my instrument. I was hired for the band of the opening act, a vocalist named Renee Morris. So I was there for Marvin's sound check as well as the concert itself. I did not meet him but I did meet his bass player, the legendary James Jamerson. Jamerson used my instrument for Marvin's sound check because his bass had not yet arrived from the airport. I have several other good stories about that event.

Dedicating this to his mum and dad. Awkward and sad for what was to follow in his life

Here we have a gifted man singing, about the situation in 1972 . . . 50 years ago! And, what? What has changed? Marvin Gaye, you had the insight and thoughtfulness to play it out!!

"I'm gonna dedicate this to my mother and father... .. I love them very much.." If only I could warn him :'(

Marvin grew up 3 miles from where this concert took place. What a talent.

How how ironic his dad was sitting in the audience and was the one to take his life. I remember when he passed away in the early '80s. I was driving in Santa Monica when it came on the news. Very sad

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. I went to Cobo Hall, and somehow made it to the front row! Marvin Gaye held my hand and sang a part of "Distant Lover" to me. There will never be another Marvin Gaye! My apologies to my Dear Mother, because as a teen I must have played my Distant Lover LP one million times. Peace

Marvin at the top of his game. This live version is masterful.

A BROTHER THANK YOU

Marvin was absolutely unique. A one off. A limited edition. His gift was from God.

Legend…. Healer….No other like him.

Okay, here's another story.   As best I can recall, the guy who introduced Marvin that night was Dewey Hughes, a local television celebrity (and a great guy). I think that's who it was. In any case, you might NOT notice (or perhaps you might) that, on the record the excitement in the crowd when Marvin is introduced seems less crazy-over-the-top than you might have expected. After all he was, at that moment, probably the biggest popular music star in the world. But there's a reason why it wasn't more wild on the record.  At the outset, the crowd was told that Motown would be recording the concert. Great! (There was a huge console board backstage and cables everywhere, by the way.) When Marvin was introduced and came on the place went nuts. But, after three or four songs, the crowd was told that the Motown recording engineers had screwed up somehow, and had not captured the performance thus far! So the concert had to be started all over again, including a SECOND introduction of Marvin Gaye. That's the one that's on the record, including the first few songs performed for the second time that evening. And that's why the initial crowd response might seem a tiny bit restrained. If you listen again, I think you'll detect it.   I must tell you that Marvin Gaye took it in stride with exemplary professionalism. He didn't betray any annoyance or frustration. He didn't even bat an eye but launched into the same songs again with, to my recollection, just as much soul and feeling as the first time. So that's another story from that night at the Kennedy Center.

I was there.

The Energy in the Building can you imagine 1972 in Harlem in the Hood on the 1st of the month. HOT Damn 🔥

THIS MAN WAS SO FINE AND SO TALENTED!!! R.I.P. MARVIN GAYE!!!!

Absolutely the greatest soul singer ever...Sam Cooke may have had the best pure voice but no one could do it all the way that Marvin could...the high, the low, the growl, the gospel shout, the pleading. For a brief time he actually sang about things that really mattered...the opening piano chords from this song still give me the chills every time I hear them. Compare the Marvin from this footage - reserved, almost pious - to the man a decade later. He could still sing but it is hard to watch.

Hello Brother, Marvin did I tell you that I miss you. You are a Music Genius and Love Everything about You. Thanks for all your Love ......,.................

that part he added at the end made me cry. Perfection.

the things he sung about then still apply today

What a powerful God inspired message