This month is the 30th anniversary of the death of Marvin Gaye, an American musician who gained worldwide fame for his work with Motown Records. He was fatally shot by his father, Marvin Gay, Sr. on April 1, 1984 at their house.

Jeanne Gaye, Marvins sister stated that between the ages of 7 well into his teenage years, young Marvin’s home life “consisted of a series of brutal whippings” from his father. The beatings deeply affected Marvin to the point that whenever he needed to express his need for attention, he would do it through antagonism and projections of violence.

Marvin had been a long term heavy marijuana user and by the late 1970s he had developed a serious dependence and addiction to cocaine.

Marvin’s abuse from his father as a child and his associated addictions led to an argument that tragically ended his life.