“What’s Going On” turns 40

I have an unusual pair of black parents. They don't listen to music. 

The radio was never on and there were only 4 albums in the house, which never got played -- The Supremes (the one with 'Stop in the Name of Love'),  two by Barbra Streisand (My Name is Barbra & My Name is Barbra 2), and Flip Wilson (Cowboys and Colored People). 

My first taste of black music came every two weeks at Lester’s barbershop where I wondered how everyone knew the words to all those songs playing on WDAS AM that I had never heard before. 

When I could finally save up enough coin to buy music, my first 2 albums were The Jackson 5 - Third Album, and the Temptations - Cloud Nine.

It was on after that.

To think that I was only 10 when I purchased ‘What’s Going On’ surprises me today. I always cherished that album and have re-purchased it several times since then and still play it like it was released yesterday. And we all wanted a black 'wet look' trench coat after seeing that cover, even after they renamed it patent leather.  

Of all programs to hear a tribute to it’s 40th anniversary, the BBC gave a fabulous one that I happened to catch on the car radio a few weeks ago.

A couple of today’s singers have adopted the Marvin Gaye sound rather effectively. Robin Thicke may try a little too hard to steal Marvin’s sound which may be why he’s faded out lately. And Raheem Devaugh brings a lot of the Marvin sound with some social conscious lyrics. 

"Marvin was just sitting off to the side watching all this stuff wondering if people really realized what was going on in this world."

The album contained songs not just about Frankie Gaye's experience of war but also about drug addiction, child abuse, spirituality and social injustice.

It was one of the first albums to truly speak out about social ills.

Click HERE for more