Marvin Gaye's life, and brilliant career, was cut tragically short on August 1st, 1984 -- one day before his 45th birthday -- when he was shot and killed by his own father. Now, for the first time ever, Marvin Gaye's story is told in intimate detail by a member of his own family. Frankie and Marvin Gaye were as close as brothers can be, from childhood until Marvin's untimely death. Frankie was at Marvin's side when he died, and only Frankie heard Marvin's death-bed confession. Full of never-before-told personal anecdotes, many correcting previously published accounts, this book takes you behind the scenes, from Marvin's childhood, when he had a penchant for getting into trouble, through his spectacular success at Motown and then Columbia, and finally his descent into drugs and despair. Known for his classic duets with Tammi Terrell, his enduring solo hits, such as ''I Heard It Through the Grapevine'' and ''Sexual Healing,'' and his landmark album, What's Going On, Marvin Gaye's popularity has only increased over time, as subsequent generations rediscover him for themselves. Finally, the true story of the man behind the music is available for fans old and new.