Marvin Gaye’s life was a minefield, and in many ways a disaster, and that’s putting it mildly, and easily, and kindly. He also might have had the finest male voice of all time, which: the guy started out as a drummer. Drummers can’t sing! (Sit down, Phil Collins. You are the exception.) Gaye was maybe/maybe not/probably abused by his dad growing up; made a bunch of classic records with Tammi Terrell, who collapsed into his arms during a 1967 concert and was dead of a brain tumor three years later at 24; did tremendous quantities of cocaine, grew paranoid, fought crippling stage fright, came back, was lauded, did more drugs, grew more paranoid, and then, after all that, was shot dead by his father the day before his 45th birthday. In between, you know: “Ain’t No Mountain”, “You’re All I Need to Get By”, “Let’s Get It On”, “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing”, What’s Going On. All of that. And more. The Black Ensemble Theater has Jackie Taylor’s Marvin Gaye Story on its boards until late July. Your window to check it out is huge, Chicago. We’re counting on you. (FULL ARTICLE: Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times)