Frances "Frankie" Gaye was an American recording artist and brother of American recording artist Marvin Gaye. Gaye's recollections of his tenure in the Vietnam War inspired Marvin's song "What's Happening, Brother," from the albumWhat's Going On.
Early years
Frances "Frankie" Gaye was born in Washington, D.C., the third of four children born to Alberta Williams and Marvin Gay, Sr. in 1941. Both Frankie and elder brother Marvin sang, first in church and then with local doo-wop groups.
War service
Frankie had several jobs in Washington, D.C. before answering the draft to serve his country during the Vietnam War at 25; he served as a radio disk jockey in the army. In 1970, Frankie returned to civilian life in D.C. Emotional conversations between Frankie and Marvin over Frankie's horrific recollections of the war led to Marvin to compose the song "What's Happening, Brother", later issued for Marvin's album, What's Going On, released in 1971.
Starting in the mid-1970s, Frankie began working with his brother, joining him on the road during Gaye's concert tours and sometimes, to test audience reactions, Marvin would place Frankie onstage first before he arrived. Like his brother and, later, their sister Zeola, Frankie added an "e" to his surname. In 1977, Frankie participated in background vocals for Marvin's hit, "Got to Give It Up, Pt. 1" and contributed co-composition rights for music for the 1979 film, Penitentiary. Frankie and his second wife, Irene, were next door to his parents' house on April 1, 1984, when Frankie's brother was shot and killed by their father after an argument. In 1989, Frankie signed with Motorcity Records and recorded two singles, "Extraordinary Girl" and "My Brother". The latter song featured in the 1990 album of the same name.
Final years and death
In 1999, Frankie worked on his memoirs, Marvin Gaye: My Brother. The book was scheduled to be released in 2002, but Frankie died of complications following a heart attack on December 30, 2001 at the age of 60; The book was posthumously released in 2003. Francis Gaye is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Personal life
In 1972, Frankie relocated to Los Angeles where he married his first wife, Judy Tench; the couple had two daughters, Christy and Denise. After their divorce, Frankie dated Irene Duncan after meeting her in London. They were married in 1978 and had three children: daughters April and Fiona ; and son Frankie, Jr..
