… In which Gaye briefly talked about his early days with Motown, ’62-’65, in a 1976 interview:
“I don’t view them with a lot of happiness. Being young and not knowing the business a great deal and trying to figure it out.”
And then he talked of the mind-altering, 1971 album:
“I was incensed so I wrote and produced. I wanted to write an album that could be translated into other languages and not particularly be an ethnic statement, that could translate into other conditions.It was a very divine project.”
Of course Berry Gordy despised the record and refused to release it. The single became Motown’s fastest seller to that point. Gordy later wanted a What’s Going On follow-up album.
Go to the BBC piece here.
This article appears in May 18-24, 2011.