Lenny Kravitz is to play Tamla Motown soul singer Marvin Gaye, in a new biopic to be filmed in 2013. It will be the first lead role for Lenny Kravitz, who has performed several supporting roles in films.

Marvin Gaye, along with Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson formed the triangle of leading male artists on the Tamla Motown record label, and as such was omniscient in the 1960s and 1970s. Tragically his career and life was terminated prematurely when he was shot dead by his father in 1984.

Lenny Kravitz, a great soul singer in his own right, is a perfect shoe in for Marvin Gaye in the biopic film. The biopic will be directed by British film-maker Julien Temple, who has previously made documentaries about Ray Davies of the Kinks, Joe Strummer of The Clash and The Sex Pistols. Julien Temple has also directed music videos for Billy Idol, Blur and Culture Club in the 1980s.

Marvin Gaye was the best selling Motown artist of the 1960s, but for the author probably did his best work in the 1970s. For me, he was simply the best soul singer of all time bar none. Marvin Gaye had the voice of an angel, his burly physical frame belying his tender, sensitive and vulnerable soul.

Marvin Gaye’s recording zenith was undoubtedly the 1971 album “What’s Going On?”, where against Motown boss Berry Gordy’s judgement and instincts, he deviated from the Motown formula. After much heated debate, Berry Gordy relented and Marvin Gaye was able to write and produce his best album and one of the best albums of all time. Either side of this seminal album he proved his versatility with his classic Motown songs as a solo artist and duets with Tami Terrell in the 1960s and his disco orientated sound in the late 1970s and early 1980s, epitomised by “Sexual Healing” on 1982. To prove the man’s diversity and versatility, here’s a Top 10 Best Marvin Gaye Songs –

Top 10 Best Marvin Gaye Songs

1)  What’s Going On?

2)  Ain’t No Mountain High Enough ( with Tammi Terrell )

3)  I Heard It Through The Grapevine

4)  You Are Everything ( with Diana Ross )

5)  Trouble Man

6)  Abraham Martin and John

7)  Sexual Healing

8)  Stop Look Listen ( with Diana Ross )

9)  Got To Give It Up

10)  Let’s Get It On

Which are your favourite Marvin Gaye songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

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