Janice Hunter Gaye, the second wife of Motown legend Marvin Gaye and the inspiration for many of his songs, died Saturday of unknown causes at her home in Rhode Island, her family announced. She is 66 years old.
Producer Ed Townsend introduced Hunter Gay to the singer in 1973 at Hitsville West in Los Angeles during a recording session for his album Let’s Get It On, which was released that year. Gaye was married at the time to Anna Gordy, sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy; Hunter Gaye was 17, and he was 34.
Gaye wrote the song “John” for his future wife and recorded it on his 1974 album Marvin Gaye Live! recorded for his 1976 album, I Want You, was described as a “romantic and romantic tribute” to her. His 1977 disco single, “Got to Give It Up”, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, featured her on backing vocals. They got married that year.
According to her family, Hunter Gay wore the iconic outfit — a red watch cap, beaded denim shirt, and silver red-laced platform boots — for her memorable 1974 concert performance at the Oakland Coliseum. The couple was married from 1977 until their divorce in 1981.
He died three years later after his father was shot to death in Los Angeles. Her memoir, After the Dance of My Life with Marvin Gaye, was published in 2015. Survivors include son Frankie, sister Shawn, brother Mark and grandson Nolan.
It took every moment to talk about every word and every note of his music, and she fell in love. She wanted everyone to know the man. Ever since she met my father, she saw the world he was hurting, and she did her best to preserve his legacy because he was taken from us too soon.”
Hunter Gaye is the daughter of singer-songwriter Slim Gaillard, “Flat Foot Fluggy.” (With a Floy Floy)”. She also managed the career of her daughter Nona Gaye, a singer, and actress, including Ali, Crash, and two Matrix films. Gaye wrote the song “John” for his fiancée and included it on his 1974 album, Marvin Gaye.
recorded for Live!, and his 1976 album, I Want You, was described as a “romantic and romantic tribute” to her. Single inspiration Janice Hunter Gaye died Saturday of an unknown cause at her home in Rhode Island, her family announced. The second wife of Motown legend Marvin Gaye was 66.
It was released that year. Gaye was married at the time to Anna Gordy, sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy; Hunter Gaye was 17, and he was 34. Producer Ed Townsend introduced Hunter Gaye to the singer for his album Let’s Get It On during a 1973 recording session at Hitsville West in Los Angeles.
Founder Berry Gordy was married to Anna Gordy’s sister. Hunter Gaye was 17, he was 34. Ever since she met my father, she had seen how he hurt the world. Every moment was spent talking about every word and every note of his music, and she wanted everyone to know the man she fell in love with.
Never to be born again. But know that she is in heaven with my father and represents us in spirit.
