Flying in my gondola

Written by Gordana Andjelic-Davila    Tuesday, 20 May 2014 09:06 Left – Bert LaBonte and Jude Perl April 1st, 1984, on the eve of his 45th birthday, Motown Records’ superstar Marvin Gay, renown for chart topping hits such as “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” “I heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Sexual Healing,” was shot and killed by his own father. Ironically, when the news of the unfortunate incident broke out, many thought it was an April Fool’s joke, so they didn’t pay much attention to it. When Gaye’s passing was confirmed, the world was overwhelmed by a combination of shock and a devastated sense of loss. Upon learning of the incident, Rev. Al Sharpton said that Gaye’s death came “like a sick, sad joke.” Years later Marvin Senior was asked in an interview if he ever loved his son. He replied, “Let’s just say I didn’t dislike him.” 30 years after Gaye’s death, the show, Let’s Get it On at Melbourne’s Athaeneum Theatre, s...