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The Documentary; What's Going On - Music That Defined A Decade

The Documentary: What's Going On - Music That Defined A Decade

What's Going On - Music That Defined A Decade

21/05/2011

BBC World Service - The Documentary, What's Going On - Music That Defined A Decade

To mark 40 years since its release, Smokey Robinson reflects on Marvin Gaye's album.

Smokey Robinson explores the social and political impact of Marvin Gaye's classic album - What's Going On - and explains why Marvin's masterpiece still has resonance today.

To mark the 40th anniversary of one of the most influential albums ever released, Marvin Gaye's What's Going On - which was released in May 1971 - Smokey Robinson explores the social and political impact of this classic album and explains why Marvin's masterpiece still has resonance today.   

What's Going On was the first album to feature songs about social injustice, suffering, hatred, drug abuse, war, loss and poverty and inspired a new generation of performers to use their music for social commentary. 

Guests in the programme include Stevie Wonder, Mary Wilson, Lamont Dozier, Harry Belafonte, John Legend, Beverly Knight, David Gray and three of the surviving Funk Brothers who played with Marvin on the album - Bob Babbitt, Joe Messina and Jack Ashford.

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