Berry Gordy didn't want Marvin to do an album like that. he didn't think it was going to SELL. and he didn't want Marvin to sing/write, about what was really going on in the inner cities he/Berry Gordy himself came out of Detroit. get too political.
It had a big impact on me in a sense of paying attention to what was going on around the world at the time, paying close attention to the war that was happening then because I was never a news kind of guy, but I will be honest, I thought the album might have hurt his career a little bit because it was something new at the time, I'd had been a fan of Marvin prior to 71 (so dating back to when How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You was out which I still have the record to this day) because Marvin wasn't known for doing political songs around then and it was fun happy love songs people gathered around to dance at parties you know. So when I first heard Whats Going On in 71 I was at my friends house because he had the record. I loved it and one song that caught my attention the most was "Right On" which in my opinion is his best song.
@@darrellmfume4020 That's exactly right. BG worried about poor sales and possible backlash; in fact, I believe the album was "shelved" for a time. Thank God MG prevailed. We're all better off for it!
Marvin was never the same after Tammy Terrell died. It took God to pick him and lead him through "What's Going On" and not even Berry Gordy could stop it. Smokey supported Marvin all the way as an artist and a friend.
@@OnlyLoveCan38 Brain Swelling 🧠, back then they called it a tumor. I know Marvin didn't like how David Ruffin was smashing it. I've heard it was a rare Brain Tumor but you could pay the papers and Dr to change things easily back then. Drugs was a no no if you worked for the Temptations if u got strung out or did too much, or got caught u was out David broke the rules for years and paid for many cover ups. So I could see that happening. Marvin wanted to love Tammy , Ruffin was treating her like a Hoe so that had to hurt him. Al Green Murdered a women never went to jail they call that a RUMOR too, but its true , that I know for sure.
I was 17 years old in 1971 when What's Going On was out, it had a big impact on me back then, I'm telling you, us Baby boomers were lucky to have been at the right age to have experienced this record. Man I'm getting old but I feel blessed regardless. Marvin was the guy of my time just like Sam Cooke was for my mother (I was only 10 when Sam died in 64 so I was a little too young then and she was born in the early 30's), I miss Marvin everyday :'(
if you listen to Whats Going On today you understand something. It is a timeless work of art. It will never fade or be dated. Its fresh forever. Marvin's soul bloomed in sound and lyrics. It is a balm for the soul, about the sadness of the world but the redemption of love, and music as redemption for the world
Anybody notice how Smokey Robinson answers the questions straight and to the point. Smokey is a awesome song writer. And he is so.........COOL and seasoned with grace.🤗🤗🤗
its timeless,it spoke to his generation, this one and it'll continue to speak to generations to come, the holy grail of albums,its what true artistry is.
What’s going on brings tears to my eyes because it’s so timeless and real I was born n the 80s that came out n 71 and my mother god bless her soul was playing that album like it came out n the 80s or 90s it was so timeless I never new til I was older when it came out rip mommy n Marvin
What's Going On by Marvin Gaye is arguably the greatest album of all time! His masterpiece! Marvin could really paint pictures with his words and lyrics! You can play that album today and it's STILL relevant. R.I.P. to Marvin Gaye. R.I.P. Tammi Terrell.
Marvin was in a deep depression during and before this album. Tammi Terrell’s death had really taken a toll on him. He continually declined from there 😢❤
That’s definitely a fact I’m 28 years old and I can agree with Smokey I listen to the album every day going to work and it’s so relevant to everything that’s going on right now. In 2023
Mr. Robinson, I know you, and Marvin had some good times together. Some old footage of you guys playing basketball together with Don Cornelius is just beautiful. Just knowing this I was born in the early 70s.
I will never forget 1970 and the excitement the Jackson Five created starting that year, after people found out who they were and where they came from.
Smokey was a Vice President at Motown . They go back to the early 1960’s Berry and Smokey . I read Berry Gordy’ s Autobiography and it describes them as being like blood brothers.
@@thickg438 not everyone needs accolades to prove how great this artist was. Time has proven how great Marvin was. I mean just look at some of the most overrated artists in history that were very undeserving like Madonna.
My brother was a part of Smokey's inner circle around 1991, and the weekend Terminator 2 came out, my brother asked me did I want to go meet him or go to the San Jose premiere of the movie. I chose the movie. At the time, I didn't regret it. I was only 9. It's still my favorite movie of all time. But I never had a chance to meet Smokey again😥
At this present time they need to open vaults and give Mr. Gaye family every music award for the What's Going On album. I never heard anything that came close to this amazing piece. This was a Master Piece 🎶
What's Going On was voted the BEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME, what he spoke of in 1971 is still relevant today, the damn thing is a MASTERPIECE, and if you think I'm lying just listen to Inner City Blues 👌
Hi edagdwg love this special story of what only god can bless two friends to feel gods gifts for making songs that people still love to hear and sing S.R. is soooooo real God is still giving him gifts Linda j. Peace
Motown was and will always be the shit! Man, I just adore Smokey's music. Can't forget the movies Motown put out, mahogany, lady sings the blues, the wiz and bingo long.
Marvin wasn't a crooner before What's Going On. He had several r & b hits: I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Stubborn Kind Of Fellow, Ain't That Peculiar, Ain't No Mountain High Enough (with Tammi Terrell), and several others. The "crooner" period was before that era. He wanted to sing jazzy Frank Sinatra style songs, and Gordy let him do one album. The album didn't sell, so he followed Gordy'd guidance. Gordy didn't want him to release What's Going On, because he felt it would be controversial. Marvin insisted, and Gordy admitted he was wrong for trying to stop the album.
What's Going On is an album that you hear ALL the way through. No filler tracks on that album. The same with his next album (not soundtrack) Let's Get It On.
This nigga Vlad went from..that was absolutely the most amazing album ever done, right back to...was he having drug issues , smfh🤣🤣only on Vlad, he proceeds to give the man his flowers only to throw them on the ground and step on them. Smh.
Exactly 💯 Damn Vlad put some respect 🙏🏿 on Marvin's name please 🙏🏿 do not shade is Legacy because you wanted to hurry up and get to the the troubled and cloudy discrepancies of his life slow down it's not that serious
Vlad can't lean Smokey into his line of questions..Smokey definitely has been through the thickest of all clouds..he sees past anything Vlad can conjure up
Luv how they both described What's Going On! 💯🔥🤞🏽 But there's something about when Vlad makes a comment & Smokey hits him wit the "Ok" jus as calm like mutha...where u bout to try to take this now 👀??? 😂
What's going on was a great album when it comes to what's going on in the world!. But if you ask me, my personal opinion, "Here My Dear" was Marvin Gaye's best album. It tapped into what he was going through in his personal life in so much depth. 🎶 what I can't understand is if you love me, how could you turn me in to the police🎶
Smokey: “God was writing that album, cause it’s prophecy.” Vlad: “Yeah, I mean that was a hell of an album!” Damn you be having some goofy responses sometimes 😑😑😑 Exercise mindfulness!
Yes, music had more substance back then bit it was still a business and about $$$. Berry Gordy was not that keen on releasing the What's Going On album because of.... $$$. Luckily he agreed to release it anyway and the rest is history. I still play it often.
I wouldn’t put it in the same category as What’s Going On though given the subject matter, album tone, and structure. Maybe closer to Let’s Get It On. Nonetheless, it’s still a fantastic album that I think is a bit overlooked.
Smokey looks like he can see through the messiness of this man ( I don't even want to text his name) even though he agreed to come there. The intense piercing gaze that he has, and not speaking in between until he has to, i.e his daughter born in 70, not 71. I could feel the interviewers slight discomfort getting the facts wrong... when speaking his subjective as facts. Then he tried to be messy about Marvin's drug use. Smoke knew his M.O, but I guess he wants to stay current and revelent, be exposed to the newer generation. His demeanor and facial expression was more engaging when the the breakfast club interviewed him on their show.
That album is a masterpiece that will endure until humans cease to exist.
Berry Gordy didn't want Marvin to do an album like that. he didn't think it was going to SELL. and he didn't want Marvin to sing/write, about what was really going on in the inner cities he/Berry Gordy himself came out of Detroit. get too political.
News flash: humans will always exist.
It had a big impact on me in a sense of paying attention to what was going on around the world at the time, paying close attention to the war that was happening then because I was never a news kind of guy, but I will be honest, I thought the album might have hurt his career a little bit because it was something new at the time, I'd had been a fan of Marvin prior to 71 (so dating back to when How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You was out which I still have the record to this day) because Marvin wasn't known for doing political songs around then and it was fun happy love songs people gathered around to dance at parties you know.
So when I first heard Whats Going On in 71 I was at my friends house because he had the record. I loved it and one song that caught my attention the most was "Right On" which in my opinion is his best song.
@@antoniomitchell1883 Perhaps
@@darrellmfume4020 That's exactly right. BG worried about poor sales and possible backlash; in fact, I believe the album was "shelved" for a time. Thank God MG prevailed. We're all better off for it!
I love how when Vlad says something he thinks Smokey gonna react hype to and Smokey’s cool nonchalant response is like “Ok” 😂😂😂😂
😂🤣🤣😂🤣
Real 0g shit😭🤣🤣🤣
Exactly. Lol
He knows this guy is a tadger
Marvin was never the same after Tammy Terrell died. It took God to pick him and lead him through "What's Going On" and not even Berry Gordy could stop it. Smokey supported Marvin all the way as an artist and a friend.
Yes Tammy took a big toll on him
Its a Rumor she overdose messing with David Ruffin of the Temptations.
@@kingjonesda1st4 she had a brain tumor which she suffered such debilitating pain and trauma.
@@OnlyLoveCan38 Brain Swelling 🧠, back then they called it a tumor. I know Marvin didn't like how David Ruffin was smashing it. I've heard it was a rare Brain Tumor but you could pay the papers and Dr to change things easily back then. Drugs was a no no if you worked for the Temptations if u got strung out or did too much, or got caught u was out David broke the rules for years and paid for many cover ups. So I could see that happening. Marvin wanted to love Tammy , Ruffin was treating her like a Hoe so that had to hurt him. Al Green Murdered a women never went to jail they call that a RUMOR too, but its true , that I know for sure.
Marvin was Never The Same When
Tammy Died....♥️♥️♥️💞💞💞♥️♥️💞💞.... He Loved Tammy
So Much.... They Sang True Dear
Love Songs....
To this day. Still the greatest album ever made. Rest in peace. Marvin Gaye.🙏🙏🙏
Smokey looks like he had a little something to smoke before this interview
Well said....and James Jamerson's bass playing on that album is some of the best I've ever heard of any musician.
Timeless Album. Rest In Peace Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye was a BEAST!! HE's one of my favorite singers of all time.
One of?
I’m 38 & Marvin Gaye my favorite male R&b singer all time, no other voice matches his 🐐
I agree. I think David Ruffin was up there too.
You crazy asf David voice way better than bros and had more vocals
Yes that song is truly DIVINE and feels like it’s from the lord!!!
I was 17 years old in 1971 when What's Going On was out, it had a big impact on me back then, I'm telling you, us Baby boomers were lucky to have been at the right age to have experienced this record. Man I'm getting old but I feel blessed regardless. Marvin was the guy of my time just like Sam Cooke was for my mother (I was only 10 when Sam died in 64 so I was a little too young then and she was born in the early 30's), I miss Marvin everyday :'(
I'm a Millennial and I dig that album. It's a classic that will live forever.
@@KtotheG It sure will, Rolling Stones made the right choice, placing it at number 1.
I guess I was too, I had 1 more year of high school
Damn u old
@@JohnWick-hl3ir you should be so blessed 🥹!
I don’t know about dude, but I’m the same age and I bet 100.00 I’m in better shape than you!
The levels of spirituality that Marvin exuded thru his music will never be matched
if you listen to Whats Going On today you understand something. It is a timeless work of art. It will never fade or be dated. Its fresh forever. Marvin's soul bloomed in sound and lyrics. It is a balm for the soul, about the sadness of the world but the redemption of love, and music as redemption for the world
That album is still relevant today. The police are still trigger-happy and the fish are still filled with mercury.
It's almost impossible to make an album that says so much, while sounding so good!!
I love how he answers the questions. Keeps it simple and to the point.
Yes,God works through people through divine inspiration!
Always been a fan of Smokey, Motown, the Tempts, Diana, The Miracles, Marvin, etc. Dope interview Vlad . Real music lovers needed this!
Stevie, Gladys and The Pips, Mary Wells, The Four Tops, Jr Walker, Martha Reeves, The Marvelettes, ❤❤❤❤❤
Hell yeah I love this
One of my favorite songs. Very much a timeless classic.
Anybody notice how Smokey Robinson answers the questions straight and to the point.
Smokey is a awesome song writer.
And he is so.........COOL and seasoned with grace.🤗🤗🤗
its timeless,it spoke to his generation, this one and it'll continue to speak to generations to come, the holy grail of albums,its what true artistry is.
That album was a masterpiece. My dad used to play it on vinyl. Damn wish Marvin was alive.
I'm 26 years old, but I appreciate Smokey Robinson and how he created and molded Motown records. Truly ahead of his time back then.
What’s going on brings tears to my eyes because it’s so timeless and real I was born n the 80s that came out n 71 and my mother god bless her soul was playing that album like it came out n the 80s or 90s it was so timeless I never new til I was older when it came out rip mommy n Marvin
What's Going On by Marvin Gaye is arguably the greatest album of all time! His masterpiece! Marvin could really paint pictures with his words and lyrics! You can play that album today and it's STILL relevant. R.I.P. to Marvin Gaye. R.I.P. Tammi Terrell.
It’s one of those albums like John Coltrane’s, “A Love Supreme”, you must listen to it in its entirety.
Marvin was in a deep depression during and before this album. Tammi Terrell’s death had really taken a toll on him. He continually declined from there 😢❤
This entire interview is packed with history. Vlad… bring us more legends like Smokey!!
The Marvelous "Marvin Gaye" 🎤
Make Me wanna Holla !!
Certainly one of the greatest albums of all time!
That’s definitely a fact I’m 28 years old and I can agree with Smokey I listen to the album every day going to work and it’s so relevant to everything that’s going on right now. In 2023
Mr. Robinson, I know you, and Marvin had some good times together. Some old footage of you guys playing basketball together with Don Cornelius is just beautiful.
Just knowing this I was born in the early 70s.
What's going on he said God wrote that ...
God must have written it because it definitely stood the test of time! That's a classic!
I will never forget 1970 and the excitement the Jackson Five created starting that year, after people found out who they were and where they came from.
This man is immortal
Smokey so laid back. Great interview Vlad.
smokey the cool calm og always correcting vlad like his dad, smoky the don
What's going on is a classic. Smokey named his son after Barry Gordy? Damn, that's dedication and devotion!
Smokey was a Vice President at Motown . They go back to the early 1960’s Berry and Smokey . I read Berry Gordy’ s Autobiography and it describes them as being like blood brothers.
Marvin!!!! What a voice music 🎶
One of the best albums to listen to on vinyl, Motown is the greatest.
Marvin is so underrated. Voice like no other.
How on earth is he underrated?
Don't think he gets the accolades he deserves. I would love to see a big budget movie of his life. Not no lifetime shit
@@thickg438 not everyone needs accolades to prove how great this artist was. Time has proven how great Marvin was.
I mean just look at some of the most overrated artists in history that were very undeserving like Madonna.
And thats my point I totally agree with that statement 👍🏾. Marvin should get all his flowers
How is Madonna overated? She’s the female goat
What’s Going On will stand the test of time & still relevant to this day!
thank you smokey. thank you marvin.
My brother was a part of Smokey's inner circle around 1991, and the weekend Terminator 2 came out, my brother asked me did I want to go meet him or go to the San Jose premiere of the movie. I chose the movie. At the time, I didn't regret it. I was only 9. It's still my favorite movie of all time. But I never had a chance to meet Smokey again😥
You're serious? That's the dumbest thing I heard today lol
@@SLUBUG you think a nine-year-old would rather hang out with a musician he knows really nothing about than to go see an action movie?
LEGENDARY ALBUM!!!!! RIP TO THE LEGENDARY MARVIN GAYE!!!!!!!!
I used to think the line 'love can conquer hate' in 'What's going on' was corny but now in my 50s...I understand.
Marvin is the best no doubt
The best artist ever in my opinion but my age also has a lot to do with it since I was born in 54
I tear up every time I listen to it.
Marvin wrote one of my favorite Miracles song... I love you secretly. On the Renaissance album after smokey left the group to go solo
I love that song! So much emotion with beautiful harmonies. Wish it was better known
Its one of my favorites too
At this present time they need to open vaults and give Mr. Gaye family every music award for the What's Going On album. I never heard anything that came close to this amazing piece. This was a Master Piece 🎶
What's Going On was voted the BEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME, what he spoke of in 1971 is still relevant today, the damn thing is a MASTERPIECE, and if you think I'm lying just listen to Inner City Blues 👌
"Right On" to me is Marvin's greatest song on that album, I used to play it over and over again in 71 when I was 17
Rest N Pleasure
MARVIN PENTZ GAY Jr.
Great Interview real history
Hi edagdwg love this special story of what only god can bless two friends to feel gods gifts for making songs that people still love to hear and sing S.R. is soooooo real God is still giving him gifts Linda j. Peace
Watch the full interview now as a VladTV CZcams Member: czcams.com/channels/g7lal8IC-xPyKfgH4rdUcA.htmljoin
Ahh, so this is why each clip is about half a nano second.
Hands down the greatest album of all time. Just perfection
Motown was and will always be the shit! Man, I just adore Smokey's music. Can't forget the movies Motown put out, mahogany, lady sings the blues, the wiz and bingo long.
the look at 0:49 . smokey cold .
GREATEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME HANDS DOWN!!
Marvin wasn't a crooner before What's Going On. He had several r & b hits: I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Stubborn Kind Of Fellow, Ain't That Peculiar, Ain't No Mountain High Enough (with Tammi Terrell), and several others. The "crooner" period was before that era. He wanted to sing jazzy Frank Sinatra style songs, and Gordy let him do one album. The album didn't sell, so he followed Gordy'd guidance. Gordy didn't want him to release What's Going On, because he felt it would be controversial. Marvin insisted, and Gordy admitted he was wrong for trying to stop the album.
Classic Album💯👍
STILL IS !!!
What's Going On is on heavy rotation in my house, in my car, on my smart phone... absolute masterpiece.
What's Going On is an album that you hear ALL the way through. No filler tracks on that album. The same with his next album (not soundtrack) Let's Get It On.
I can’t wait to watch the whole interview in March!!
Greatest album ever made
This nigga Vlad went from..that was absolutely the most amazing album ever done, right back to...was he having drug issues , smfh🤣🤣only on Vlad, he proceeds to give the man his flowers only to throw them on the ground and step on them. Smh.
Exactly 💯
Damn Vlad put some respect 🙏🏿 on Marvin's name please 🙏🏿 do not shade is Legacy because you wanted to hurry up and get to the the troubled and cloudy discrepancies of his life slow down it's not that serious
Notice how Smokey is short with his answers. As if he knows what Vlad is all about!
Arguably the greatest album in the history of music.
Learning so much from these interviews
That is the greatest album ever
Can't wait to see the whole thing! YES!
The best album ever made
...God was writing it, because it was prophecy!" 🙏 👏
Holy Cow! Smokey..❤
Great 🎶 Motown
At 1:50 vlad was like f*ck that fact smokie 😂 was Marvin smokin crack?
My Grandma loves him 😊
One day I'm gonna listen to the whole album.🤔👍
I like when Smokey says “Ok” 😂
I think that What's Going On was named the #1 album of the 500 best albums in Rock and Roll by Rolling Stone magazine
Smokey Robinson, God was writing because his prophecy Vlad, yeah that was a Hell of an album!
It wasn’t prophecy, he was talking about what’s been going on forever on this earth. But it’s a great song
“God made it “
Vlad: “hell of an album”
Smokey is cool af
Vlad can't lean Smokey into his line of questions..Smokey definitely has been through the thickest of all clouds..he sees past anything Vlad can conjure up
Smokey: God wrote that album
Vlad: That was a hell of an album
🤦🏽♀️
Now you know who's Vlad's god.
@@subdivisionalmass that part
Luv how they both described What's Going On! 💯🔥🤞🏽 But there's something about when Vlad makes a comment & Smokey hits him wit the "Ok" jus as calm like mutha...where u bout to try to take this now 👀??? 😂
What's going on was a great album when it comes to what's going on in the world!. But if you ask me, my personal opinion, "Here My Dear" was Marvin Gaye's best album. It tapped into what he was going through in his personal life in so much depth. 🎶 what I can't understand is if you love me, how could you turn me in to the police🎶
Marvin was a genius.
And way to go,
Vlad for messing up his daughter’s birth year.
🤣
Smokey: “God was writing that album, cause it’s prophecy.”
Vlad: “Yeah, I mean that was a hell of an album!”
Damn you be having some goofy responses sometimes 😑😑😑
Exercise mindfulness!
Scary scary Erie realest song of the realest songs
😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎 legendary 😎😎😎😎😎😎
I Want You Back…ABC…The Love You Save…I’ll Be There
Damn that was a big year for the Jackson 5
And to think. Berry Gordy DIDN'T like the album, and didn't want to release it...
Facts
Music had so much substance back then.
Was about music 🎶
not money 💰
Yes, music had more substance back then bit it was still a business and about $$$. Berry Gordy was not that keen on releasing the What's Going On album because of.... $$$. Luckily he agreed to release it anyway and the rest is history. I still play it often.
Definitely seemed like prophecy when you listened to the lyrics at face
Wow
God did write it
Honestly Smokey Robinson's album "A Quiet Storm" is just as good. TOO ME, just my opinion!!!
I wouldn’t put it in the same category as What’s Going On though given the subject matter, album tone, and structure. Maybe closer to Let’s Get It On. Nonetheless, it’s still a fantastic album that I think is a bit overlooked.
Smokey the WHOLE interview: ok 👀
Smokey looks like he can see through the messiness of this man ( I don't even want to text his name) even though he agreed to come there. The intense piercing gaze that he has, and not speaking in between until he has to, i.e his daughter born in 70, not 71. I could feel the interviewers slight discomfort getting the facts wrong... when speaking his subjective as facts. Then he tried to be messy about Marvin's drug use.
Smoke knew his M.O, but I guess he wants to stay current and revelent, be exposed to the newer generation.
His demeanor and facial expression was more engaging when the the breakfast club interviewed him on their show.
My mom name me after him!