Fred Basten
Author
Fred Basten discusses the life of Marvin Gaye, focusing on his relationship with his brother Frankie and the events that led to his tragic death. He describes Marvin's struggles with drug use and paranoia, and his desire to return home to his mother in his final days.
Fred Basten
Marvin Gaye Biographer
About Fred Basten
Fred E. Basten is an author based in Santa Monica, California, specializing in Hollywood history and entertainment biographies. His works include Glorious Technicolor: The Movies' Magic Rainbow, Steve McQueen: The Final Chapter, and Max Factor's Hollywood: Glamour, Movies and Make-Up. In 1999, he co-authored Marvin Gaye, My Brother with Frankie Gaye, exploring the life and tragic death of the legendary soul singer through his brother's perspective.
In this interview
- Discusses Marvin Gaye's drug use and escalating paranoia in his final years.
- Describes how Frankie Gaye was happy supporting Marvin without jealousy or rivalry.
- Explains Marvin told Frankie he came home to die with his mother.
- Details Marvin's deteriorating condition affecting his stage performances near the end.
“He came home to die. He wanted to be the one place he felt most comfortable and that was home with his mother.”— Fred Basten, in this interview
