- Paperback: 416 pages
- Publisher: Da Capo Press Inc; Reprint edition (30 Sep 1991)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0306804433
- ISBN-13: 978-0306804434
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 13.2 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
427,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #55 in Books > Biography > Film, Television & Music > Music > Soul
- #99 in Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Styles > Soul & Gospel
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
}In this intimate biography of the Prince of Soul, David Ritz provides a candid look at a star and a friend. Ritz had been working on Gayes story for several years before the singers tragic death, and had conducted a series of extraordinary interviews in which Gaye discussed his deepest secrets. Drawing from these interviews, Gayes life is recounted in his own words and the words of those who knew him best: his family, friends, and colleagues. What emerges is a full-scale portrait of a charming but tortured artist, a brilliant singer with a divided soul. Here is Marvins story, from his early years as an abused child in the slums of Washington, D.C., through his rise to the top of the Motown industry, his fall from grace, and his comeback, to his death at the hands of his own father. But it is also the story of his music, and the music of Black America over the past four decadesfrom gospel to doo-wop to soul to funk. The result is an epic tale whose cast of characters includes Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder, among others.The definitive biography of an enormously gifted and sensitive man, Divided Soul takes us deep into the life and music of one of Americas most soulfuland most troubledsingers. }
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First Sentence
Marvin's father-Marvin Pentz Gay, Sr., the third of thirteen children-was born on a farm along Catnip Hill Pike in Jessamine County, Kentucky, on October 1, 1914. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Marvin's father-Marvin Pentz Gay, Sr., the third of thirteen children-was born on a farm along Catnip Hill Pike in Jessamine County, Kentucky, on October 1, 1914. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I carried this book with me for two weeks before plucking up the courage to get reading. The sombre, painful picture of Marvin on the cover, looking at the North Sea from Ostend and the inevitable sad ending making me hesitate - with and without good reason.
Ritz's book proved excellent fast paced reading and dug deep in the torment and paranoia Marvin felt from his first brush of success to his untimely death at the trigger finger of his lifetime nemesis, his father.
The book was gripping - as any good and great that Marvin achieved soon morphed into bad and poor in his own mind and into his acts of masochism that followed.
Although, being of course a huge Marvin fan, the book was rarely a pleasureable read it projected a truth and reality that was believable of a musician who's genius in undisputable.
Four stars - great!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Being a great fan of the late Marvin Gaye, I thoght that Divided Soul was a true work of great quality. Not only does it reveal the struggles and battles that Marvin had within himself but it shows the true nature of terrible side of success and life. This book opens the mind in that it shows Marvin behind the scenes and out of the public eye. Marvin Gaye was and always will be remembered as an innovator, leader, and genious with one downfall......a truly DIVIDED SOUL. This is one of the most interesting books that I have read in that it captures your full and total attention from the very beginnig. Marvin was full of life, love, and confusion and yet only needed love to be shown to him....a price to pay for success! This book will make you look at yourself and be humble!! The world lost a great soul the dya that Marvin Penz Gaye died!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Sometimes an artist is so ubiquitous in the fabric of music you can tend to overlook their contribution and genius.Well thats the case very much for me in regards to Marvin Gaye a real legend.I mean who on the planet doesn't appreciate What's Going On?Divided Soul by David Ritz is definetly one of the better biographys i have read this year for the facts the author knew his subject,apparently co writing monster hit Sexual Healing but as Marvin wasn't exactly hot on publishing credits this led to a falling out,also that the large majority of book is filled with interviews with Gaye who almost guides you through his life with extreme candour and honesty.In fact i can think of no other superstar who was so candid,almost embarrasingly so talking about sexuality,drug use and inner turmoils.Gaye was a tortured soul in constant battle between sin and religion coupled with a distorted vision of love,suffering manic depression and a chronic coke habit.Add to the list acute feelings of esmasculation,lost fortunes.It really is profoundly sad that a performer who gave so much joy to people,made such magic records was engulfed in self loathing harbouring a guilt that he didn't deserve,suffering a performance anxiety he didn't warrant.Really sad.Marvin Gaye was one of those rare performers who transcended genre and race.What this biography poignantly illustrates is the damage a childhood can reep upon someone for Marvin Gaye essentially was a victim whose problems are easily traced back to his EVIL,DISGUSTING father.A "man" who routinely beat his son,ruled his family like a crazed dictator whilst cross dressing frustrated by his own failure.Gaye i feel just felt he was undeserving and unloved.So a worthy book that you will read in a couple of days.Unfortunatly it is another loss to the world of a great,spiritual talent.A tragedy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great book about an even greater musical genius.
David Ritz did a wonderful job at portraying one of the greatest entertainer of all time. He was able to recount all of Gaye's troubles and how this reflected with Gaye's... Read more
Published on 14 Aug 1999
Insight to a Legend
What can I say? This is as true of an insight as any that you will get into this man's life. If you admire and respect this man half as much as I do, you will thoroughly enjoy... Read more
Published on 13 May 1999
Truely a Divided Man
One of the best biographies around concerning the highs and lows of the music business. Marvin story mirrors the struggle for expression found in the 60s which culminated in the... Read more
Published on 27 Aug 1998
OUTSTANDING
THE MOST DETAILED WRITING OF ONE OF THE GREATEST MUSICAL ARTISTS OF ALL TIME!!!
Published on 11 Jun 1998
A candid and sad insight into Marvin's rollercoaster life.
I've just finished _Divided Soul_ and it gave me an insight into Marvin's rollercoaster world that I had never dreamed he endured (and caused). Read more
Published on 6 May 1998
Excellent, a provocative telling of a Singer's tortured life
For those of us who only know Marvin Gaye from late night listenings of his soulful, sultry songs, David Ritz's "Divided Soul" let's us know excatly what went on when the... Read more
Published on 1 April 1998
Soul Stirring....
Divided Soul gave me an in depth look to M. Gaye and his life. I felt so sorry for him because he had this sinner, saint battle going on within himself. He was a true artist. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 1998
From the womb to the tomb, Soul music genius Marvin Gaye.
Soul music legend Marvin Gaye tells David Ritz about his life, music, and the women that shaped his fragile world. Mr. Read more
Published on 13 Sep 1997
A very personal and objective view of of Marvin Gaye's life.
"Divided Soul" thoughtfully illustrates the life of Marvin Gaye through the eyes of an objective and perceptive observer. Read more
Published on 17 April 1997
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