BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound
Stock photo: cover may vary

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound Paperback - 2025

by Ben Edmonds

Add to wish list

Reader reviews for Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound

From the publisher

"College campuses were in uproar, young men were being sent to Vietnam, race riots were erupting in inner cities, and Marvin Gaye brought out a song that reflected it all - What's Going On. Ben Edmonds describes the making of a record in defiance of all the odds." - The Guardian

Arguably the greatest soul album ever made, What's Going On established Motown star Marvin Gaye as a unique and maverick musical talent. His determination and vision resulted in inspirational and pioneering works that, in the era of Vietnam and the civil rights protests, asked America to take a long hard look at itself. Ben Edmonds examines in detail the making of this legendary work -- initially rejected by Motown's quality-control department -- interviewing many of the artists and record company employees closest to the singer, to arrive at a deeper understanding of what the album means. It is, without question, one of the greatest stories ever told. With a career that exemplified the maturation of romantic Black pop into a sophisticated form spanning social and sexual polities, Marvin Gaye was one of the most consistent and enigmatic of the Motown hit makers. Gaye's determination and vision resulted not only in inspirational, pioneering grooves but in an album that challenged America.

Details

  • Title Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound
  • Author Ben Edmonds
  • Binding Paperback
  • Pages 296
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Third Man Books
  • Publication date 2025-05-20
  • ISBN 9798989908929
  • Weight 0.67 lbs (0.30 kg)
  • Dimensions 8 x 5 x 0.64 in (20.32 x 12.70 x 1.63 cm)
  • Category Music/Songbooks

About the author

Ben Edmonds, as an editor at Creem magazine (1971-1975), played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of music culture. His insightful articles also graced the pages of Rolling Stone, and he served as a US correspondent for MOJO magazine. Edmonds authored the acclaimed Marvin Gaye: What's Going On and the Last Days of the Motown Sound and his achievements include two ASCAP Foundation Deems Taylor writing awards and two Grammy nominations. Tragically, pancreatic cancer claimed Edmonds's life in 2016. MC5: An Oral Biography of Rock's Most Revolutionary Band with co-authors Brad Tolinski and Jaan Uhelszki was published posthumously in 2024 by Hatchette Books.

More Copies for Sale

Marvin Gaye
Stock photo: cover may vary

Marvin Gaye

by Edmonds, Ben,

  • Used
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9798989908929 / 9798989908922
Quantity available
5
Seller
Item price
A$19.45
A$5.77 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
like new.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$19.45
A$5.77 Delivery to USA
Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound
Stock photo: cover may vary

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9798989908929 / 9798989908922
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$19.47
A$5.75 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Third Man Books. Used - Very Good. Minimal wear to cover. Pages clean and binding tight. shelf wear. bumped edges. Paperback.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$19.47
A$5.75 Delivery to USA
Marvin Gaye
Stock photo: cover may vary

Marvin Gaye

by Edmonds, Ben,

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9798989908929 / 9798989908922
Quantity available
5
Seller
Item price
A$21.40
A$5.77 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
new.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$21.40
A$5.77 Delivery to USA
Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound
Stock photo: cover may vary

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound

by Edmonds, Ben

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9798989908929 / 9798989908922
Quantity available
89
Seller
Item price
A$21.41
A$5.77 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Third Man Books. New. BRAND NEW, GIFT QUALITY! NOT OVERSTOCKS OR MARKED UP REMAINDERS! DIRECT FROM THE PUBLISHER!
Add to wish list
Item price
A$21.41
A$5.77 Delivery to USA
Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9798989908929 / 9798989908922
Quantity available
10
Seller
Item price
A$30.38
A$19.25 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Paperback / softback. New.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$30.38
A$19.25 Delivery to USA
Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound
Stock photo: cover may vary

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9798989908929 / 9798989908922
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$33.22
A$19.25 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Paperback / softback. New.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$33.22
A$19.25 Delivery to USA
Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound
Stock photo: cover may vary

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound

by Edmonds, Ben

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9798989908929 / 9798989908922
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$26.08
A$7.95 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Third Man Books, 5/20/2025 12:00:01 A. paperback. New. 0.9055 7.9134 4.9606. NEW! Book, never read or opened.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$26.08
A$7.95 Delivery to USA
Marvin Gaye : What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound

Marvin Gaye : What's Going On? and the Last Days of the Motown Sound

by Ben Edmonds

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9798989908929 / 9798989908922
Quantity available
5
Seller
Item price
A$34.94
A$15.46 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Paperback / softback. New. New Book; Fast Shipping from UK; Not signed; Not First Edition; "College campuses were in uproar, young men were being sent to Vietnam, race riots were erupting in inner cities, and Marvin Gaye brought out a song that reflected it all - What's Going On. Ben Edmonds describes the making of a reco
Add to wish list
Item price
A$34.94
A$15.46 Delivery to USA
Marvin Gaye
Stock photo: cover may vary

Marvin Gaye

by Edmonds, Ben

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9798989908929 / 9798989908922
Quantity available
9
Seller
Item price
A$49.08
A$28.90 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
New. Special order item direct from the distributor
Add to wish list
Item price
A$49.08
A$28.90 Delivery to USA