Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. in Washington, D.C.) (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was a pop, soul, Rock&Roll and R&B singer, arranger, musician, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He gained international fame during the 1960s and 1970s as an artist on the Motown label. His best records are still extremely highly regarded, and he is often cited as one of the finest singers of his era.