What's Going On? Marvin Gaye and the Last Days of the Motown Sound (Mojo Heroes) - Hardcover

Ben Edmonds

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1841950831 ISBN 13: 9781841950839

Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd, 2001

Synopsis

Arguably the greatest soul album ever made, What's Going On established Motown star Marvin Gaye as a unique and maverick musical talent. His determination and vision resulted in inspirational and pioneering works that, in the era of Vietnam and the civil rights protests, challenged America to take a long hard look at itself. Ben Edmonds examines in detail the making of this legendary work -- initially rejected by Motown's quality-control department -- interviewing many of the artists and record company employees closest to the singer, to arrive at a deeper understanding of what the album means. It is, without question, one of the greatest stories ever told.

About this title

About the Author

When Ben Edmonds met the MC5 in the Back Room of the New York art bar Max's Kansas City in December 1968, they advised the impressionable young New Englander to burn his underwear and move to Detroit. This he did (at least the Detroit part), becoming an editor on the fabled Creem magazine. His writing has appeared in Rolling Stone, Crawdaddy, NME and the Los Angeles Times; he's also done artist management (The Doors), production (Iggy's Kill City) and all manner of record company work. Ben is currently MOJO's man in America.

Review

"Essential reading not jus for soul fans, or music fans, but for anybody who wants to know what makes a mastermind tick." "There's as much pungent detail herer as you'd find in most fulllength Motown homages."

Edition details

• Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1841950831
• ISBN 13: 9781841950839
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160