Trouble Man: The Life And Death of Marvin Gaye

by Steve Turner

great book

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, History

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Steve Turner is an English music journalist, biographer and poet, who grew up in Northamptonshire, England. His first published article was in the Beatles Monthly in 1969. His career as a journalist began as features editor of Beat Instrumental where he interviewed many of the prominent rock musicians of the 1970s. He subsequently freelanced for music papers including NME, Melody Maker and Rolling Stone.

During the 1980s he wrote extensively for British newspapers and magazines on a range of subjects as well as producing his study of the relationship between rock music and religion, Hungry For Heaven, and co-authoring U2: Rattle & Hum, the book of the film. In the 1990s he began devoting himself to full-length books, the first being a best selling biography of British music star Cliff Richard, Cliff Richard: The Biography, in 1993, which stayed in the Sunday Times bestseller list for six weeks. At the same time he has written a number of poetry books for both adults and children. The first of his books for children, The Day I Fell Down The Toilet, has now sold over 120,000 copies, and total sales for his children's poetry collection now exceeds 200,000.

His published poetry books for adults are Tonight We Will Fake Love, Nice and Nasty, Up To Date, The King of Twist and Poems. His published poetry collections for children are The Day I Fell Down The Toilet, Dad, You're Not Funny, The Moon Has Got His Pants On, I Was Only Asking and Don't Take Your Elephant To School.

He now combines his book writing and journalism with poetry readings, lecture tours of America and Europe and consultancies. He lives in London.
Hungry for Heaven: Rock and Roll and the Search for Redemption(1988)
Van Morrison: Too Late to Stop Now (1993) Van Morrison
Cliff Richard: The Biography (1993) Cliff Richard
A Hard Day's Write: The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song (1994; updated in 1999 and 2005)
Jack Kerouac: Angelheaded Hipster (1996)
Trouble Man: The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye (1998)
Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts (2001)
The Man Called Cash: The Life, Love and Faith of an American Legend (2004) Johnny Cash
Amazing Grace: John Newton, Slavery and the World's Most Enduring Song (2005)
The Gospel According to the Beatles (2006)
An Illustrated History of Gospel(2010)
The Band That Played On (2011)

Reviews

[Naomi Krokowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the saddest books I've ever read, but so well-written. I always loved and admired Marvin Gaye and his tremendous talent. When his father shot him I was aghast and confused as a young woman, and always wanted to know what happened. Turner's detailed research is presented in a lively chronological way that made for fast, fascinating reading. Gaye was a true tortured genius and full of immense conflict caused by his horridly abusive father. The ending of this story could never be anything but tragic, and Turner gives us glimpses of the Divine despite the wallowing in debauchery that marked Gaye's latter years. Heartbreakingly beautiful, just like much of Gaye's music.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvin....I love and miss him so. Steve Turner has painted a canvas with contrasts and contradictions, while telling a tale of insecurity, fear, loneliness, pain, and tortured genius. I experienced many emotions while re-reading this....mostly compassion for someone who tried so very hard. Marvin was, once again, brought to life for me through the writing of Steve Turner and I recommend this book to anyone seeking a nonjudgmental truth of the life and death of Marvin Gaye.

[Bj]

having money won't cure everything!

[RB Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

The song was a plea by a wounded lover who discovers from a third party that his partner has rekindled an old flame. It's a song of both loss and betrayal, loneliness and humiliation. The music - a low, swampy beat with a sinister tambourine shake by Jack Ashford and tom-toms by Richard 'Pistol' Allen - amplified the theme of rumour and insinuation. James Jamerson's bass line seemed to simulate the stabbing thoughts of a troubled conscience. The opening bars became some of the best known in pop.
page 91

[Marquis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very informational and i really enjoyed learning about the history and the real like of Mr. Gaye. This book really opens your understanding and all those un answered questions are answered when reading this wonderful book. I recaamend this book for all the people who admire the life and who is a fan of Marvin Gaye.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. His life was extreme in many ways, and his death is legendary.

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good biography of a complicated man. I actually learned a lot about Marvin Gaye, having really only known a few of his records. Well worth a read.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunting and sad... it's conspicuous how the tales of artists who give into the darkest sides of their personality and are tragically flawed is a story that's repeated over and over again.

[Giuseppe Ruotolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the first half of this book which charters Marvin Gaye's early life and his musical life at Motown. Infact I was already thing 5*.
Then half way through the book it kind of slowed down to the point where I was skipping pages. The murder, which should have been the big highlight was dusted away in half a chapter.
Disappointed in what could have been a truly brilliant book.

[Gail Johnson, Ph.D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a third party re-telling about Marvin Gaye. When I first purchased the book I was hoping to learn three things: Who taught Marvin to play the piano which is discuss in chapter one. How and when he first enlisted in the military. This is covered in chapter two. Did Anna and Marvin really have a child together. This was covered in chapter 6. I enjoyed the book.

[Agnes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Depressing.

I did not want to know a lot of that.

The epilogue was terrible- was he peaceful? blah blah blah was he kind? blah blah blah

Over use of quotes, too much of an endless interview

[Vincenzo Ridente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written insightful well researched bio on Marvin Gaye I would definitely recommend it

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good book

[Damnyo Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.