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Marvin Gaye and His Life Trivia Quiz

His Music is ageless. He is undisputedly one of the most important music figures of the pop generation. All chart placings are US listings only. Part two will follow soon. Enjoy.

A multiple-choice quiz by doomed. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
doomed

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
130,575

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
25

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
14 / 25

Plays
1034

Last 3 plays: Guest 136 (23/25), Guest 104 (6/25), Guest 174 (17/25).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 25

1. What was the birth name of Marvin Gaye? Hint

Marvin Everton Gaye Jnr

Marvin Frederick Gaye Jnr

Marvin Pentz Gay Jnr

Marvin Solomon Gay Jnr

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Question 2 of 25

2. On what date was Gaye born in 1939? Hint

April 1st

April 4th

April 3rd

April 2nd

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Question 3 of 25

3. Where in the United States was Gaye born? Hint

Philadelphia

Washington D.C

Detroit

Chicago

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Question 4 of 25

4. What was Gaye's father known to do for a living? Hint

A Preacher

A salesman

A music teacher

A Janitor

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Question 5 of 25

5. What was the name of the doo wop group that Gaye sang with on the street corners of D.C that brought his love of music to life? Hint

The Clouds

The Rainbows

The Raindrops

The Showers

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Question 6 of 25

6. In 1957 Gaye formed his own group, what was this group called? Hint

The Musicians

The Monkeys

The Marquees

The Mounties

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Question 7 of 25

7. Who was the backing singer on their first recording "Wyatt Earp"? Hint

Frankie Valli

Bo Diddley

Smokey Robinson

Little Richard

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Question 8 of 25

8. What label were they assigned to on the above song? Hint

Okay Label

Okey Label

Ocoka Label

Okeh Label

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Question 9 of 25

9. In 1958 Harvey Fuqua hired Gaye's band to be the latest version of his backing group. What was this group called? Hint

Glowworms

Glowbrights

Moondusters

Moonglows

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Question 10 of 25

10. However, the group broke up and Fuqua moved to Detroit taking Marvin with him, and what other artist? Hint

Martha Reeve

Tammi Terrell

Diana Ross

Gwen Gordy

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Question 11 of 25

11. Who did she introduce Gaye to at Motown's 1960 Christmas Party? Hint

President Kennedy

Malcolm X

Berry Gordy

Dr. Martin Luther King

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Question 12 of 25

12. Gaye was signed to Motown in 1961, but what was his first role? Hint

A session drummer

A song writer

A backing singer

A front man

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Question 13 of 25

13. Who did Gaye marry shortly after he began at Motown? Hint

Gwen Gordy

Beatrice Gordy

Sophia Gordy

Anna Gordy

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Question 14 of 25

14. What was the name of Gaye's first hit in 1962, his fourth single? Hint

"How Sweet It Is to Be Loved By You"

"Your Precious Love"

"You Are My Everything"

"Stubborn Kind Of Fellow"

15. Gaye along with every producer in Motown knocked out hits at a strong rate, he also had dance hits "Hitch Hike" reached number 30 in 1963, but in the same year he released "Can I Get A Witness", where did it chart? Hint

Number 18

Number 22

Number 14

Number 26

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Question 16 of 25

16. Gaye preferred romantic and sensual ballads and his first top ten hit was in at number 10, but what song gave him this milestone? Hint

"Pride and Joy"

"I Love You"

"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You"

"The World is A Big Onion"

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Question 17 of 25

17. This was followed up with "I'll Be Doggone (number 8 in '65), "Aint That Peculiar (number 8 in '65) and his higest to date song which went to number 6 in '65, what was this song? Hint

"Say What You Want"

"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You"

"Tell Me Your Reasons"

I Feel The Same About You"

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Question 18 of 25

18. His song "Try It Baby" reached number 15 in '64, who sang backing vocals? Hint

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

The Four Tops

The Temptations

The Supremes

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Question 19 of 25

19. Gaye sang a number of 'duets' with female singers. With whom did he sing the song "Once A Upon A Time" ? Hint

Kim Weston

Tammi Terrell

Mary Wells

Diana Ross

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Question 20 of 25

20. Which of the following did he NOT sing with Tammi Terrell? Hint

"You're All I Need To Get By"

"Aint No Mountain High Enough"

"It Takes Two"

"Your Precious Love"

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Question 21 of 25

21. Gaye had his biggest hit of the sixties in 1968 with a song that reached number 1, which song made it to the top? Hint

"Right On"

"Whats Going On"

"I Heard It Through The Grapevine"

"Mercy Mercy"

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Question 22 of 25

22. What was the name of his 1971 album that had three top ten hits and what was its chart placing? Hint

"Whats Going On" Number 2

"Midnight Love" Number 4

"The End" Number 3

"Inner City" Number 1

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Question 23 of 25

23. Gaye's marriage ended badly in 1975 and he filed for divorce and bankruptcy. In 1977 he married his second wife, what was her name? Hint

Janice

Eliza

Nola

Carmen

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Question 24 of 25

24. In 1977 he had a further number 1 hit. What was it? Hint

"Midnight Lady"

"Sexual Healing"

"Got To Give It Up, Part 1"

"Wholy Holy"

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Question 25 of 25

25. The couple had two children, what were their names? Hint

Nola & Johnny

Nona & Frankie

Nora & Joseph

Norah & Jacob

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 22 2024 : Guest 136: 23/25
Nov 17 2024 : Guest 104: 6/25
Nov 16 2024 : Guest 174: 17/25

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was the birth name of Marvin Gaye?

Answer: Marvin Pentz Gay Jnr

Marvin Pentz Gay Jnr was his birth name, the 'E' was added to his surname later.

2. On what date was Gaye born in 1939?

Answer: April 2nd

He died one day before his 45th birthday (murdered April 1st 1984).

3. Where in the United States was Gaye born?

Answer: Washington D.C

Not far from the White House it is said.

4. What was Gaye's father known to do for a living?

Answer: A Preacher

His father was a preacher with the obscure House of God and the two often clashed. Gaye was three years old when he began singing in his father's church choir and was soon playing the organ and drums, too.

5. What was the name of the doo wop group that Gaye sang with on the street corners of D.C that brought his love of music to life?

Answer: The Rainbows

Gaye returned to his hometown of Washington, D.C. and started signing in streetcorner doo wop group The Rainbows

6. In 1957 Gaye formed his own group, what was this group called?

Answer: The Marquees

Not a long lived group to say the least, very little info is known about them. If anyone has info I would be grateful of the info.

7. Who was the backing singer on their first recording "Wyatt Earp"?

Answer: Bo Diddley

Bo Diddley on his way to fame and fortune.

8. What label were they assigned to on the above song?

Answer: Okeh Label

Short lived label gobbled up by Motown.

9. In 1958 Harvey Fuqua hired Gaye's band to be the latest version of his backing group. What was this group called?

Answer: Moonglows

Fuqua was a leading light of the underground music scene in the late 50s and the early 60s.

10. However, the group broke up and Fuqua moved to Detroit taking Marvin with him, and what other artist?

Answer: Gwen Gordy

Meeting Gwen was a massive turning point in Gaye's illustrious life.

11. Who did she introduce Gaye to at Motown's 1960 Christmas Party?

Answer: Berry Gordy

Berry was the the brains behind Motowns global success.

12. Gaye was signed to Motown in 1961, but what was his first role?

Answer: A session drummer

He played drums for among others Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

13. Who did Gaye marry shortly after he began at Motown?

Answer: Anna Gordy

In a marriage that would last 14 years.

14. What was the name of Gaye's first hit in 1962, his fourth single?

Answer: "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow"

Written days after he had tied the Knot with Anna Gordy.

Answer: Number 22

Can I Get A Witness is one of my all time Gaye favourites with its lively beat and its cool words.

16. Gaye preferred romantic and sensual ballads and his first top ten hit was in at number 10, but what song gave him this milestone?

Answer: "Pride and Joy"

Pride and Joy was the first of a long line of romantic songs Gaye sang. The last being Sexual Healing, of the two Pride and Joy was Gaye's personal favourite.

17. This was followed up with "I'll Be Doggone (number 8 in '65), "Aint That Peculiar (number 8 in '65) and his higest to date song which went to number 6 in '65, what was this song?

Answer: "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You"

Reached number 1 in Italy I believe!

18. His song "Try It Baby" reached number 15 in '64, who sang backing vocals?

Answer: The Temptations

Yet another huge Motown legendary group to start out as part time session singers.

19. Gaye sang a number of 'duets' with female singers. With whom did he sing the song "Once A Upon A Time" ?

Answer: Mary Wells

It reached number 19 in 1964.

20. Which of the following did he NOT sing with Tammi Terrell?

Answer: "It Takes Two"

He sang "It Takes Two" with Kim Weston.

21. Gaye had his biggest hit of the sixties in 1968 with a song that reached number 1, which song made it to the top?

Answer: "I Heard It Through The Grapevine"

The other three songs came at a much later date.(1971)

22. What was the name of his 1971 album that had three top ten hits and what was its chart placing?

Answer: "Whats Going On" Number 2

Midnight Love came later the other two were not albums.

23. Gaye's marriage ended badly in 1975 and he filed for divorce and bankruptcy. In 1977 he married his second wife, what was her name?

Answer: Janice

Short lived marriage which had many problems before his tragic early death.

24. In 1977 he had a further number 1 hit. What was it?

Answer: "Got To Give It Up, Part 1"

Best song ever in my opinion, just Marvin at his very very best.

25. The couple had two children, what were their names?

Answer: Nona & Frankie

Nona had a brief recording career.
Frankie became reclusive.

Source: Author doomed

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
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