After the Dance: My Animation with Marvin Gaye by Jan Gaye
A riveting cautionary tale about the ecstasy and dangers of loving Marvin Gaye, a actor passionately pursued by all—and a searing memoir of drugs, sex, and old-school R&B from the wife of legendary soul representative Marvin Gaye.
After her seventeenth birthday in 1973, Janis Hunter met Marvin Gaye—the soulful prince of Motown with the seductive liquid voice whose chart-topping, socially conscious album What’s Going On made him a superstar two years earlier.
Despite a seventeen-year-age difference and Marvin’s marriage to the sister of Berry Gordy, Motown’s founder, the enchanted teenager and the emotionally volatile singer began a scorching relationship.
One moment Jan was a high school student; the next she was accompanying Marvin to parties, navigating the intriguing world of the 1970s-‘80s celebrity; hanging with Don Cornelius on the set of Soul Train and helping to uncover new talent like Frankie Beverly.
But the burdens of fame, the chaos of dysfunctional families, and the irresistible temptations of drugs complicated their love.
My Thoug I just finished reading the book, "After The Dance: My Being With Marvin Gaye" by his second wife, Jan Gaye, with David Ritz. Have any of you read the book? If so, I would adore to hear your thoughts on it.
It is certainly an entertaining manual, I can tell that. I was hooked from the first page and read it very quickly. Is the book fact or fiction? Well... in that David Ritz knew Marvin Gaye and was such an expert on the man, that gives some credibility to Jan Gaye's story. Also, Jan Gaye certainly does nothing in the book to elevate her own reputation and appearance. She was an addict and nearly as screwed up as Marvin to maintain going back, in spite of his abuse.
And Marvin's issues with Christianity and religion! Wow! He was such a talented guy, but he was very tormented and emotionally sick... He led a tragic life. After reading the book, I felt an highest sense of sadness for him.
Any other reactions to the book or to David Ritz's other Marvin bio, "Divided Soul"?