Motown:

In 1960 Gwen Gordy introduced Marvin to her brother Berry Gordy at Motown’s Christmas party and he was soon signed to Berry’s new Tamla Motown label. Starting as a session drummer for Smokey Robinson, he established himself as a successful solo artist.

Over the next ten years Marvin worked with every Motown producer and had over 20 hits - mostly romantic and sensual ballads including Ain’t That Peculiar (1965) and How Sweet it is to be Loved by You (1965) and the 1968 smash hit, I Heard it Through the Grapevine. His delivery was effortless and meaningful, despite his later claims to have been unenthusiastic about his work at this time.