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Fifty years ago, Marvin Gaye made a creative leap of faith, and gave us one of the most enduring works of the 20th century: his 1971 album, “What’s Going On?” But a little known fact is that he had a little help from his friends -- Mel Farr and Lem Barney of the Detroit Lions. Today, we hear about the circle of  friends who helped Gaye turn his disillusion about the world into one of the best pieces Motown ever released.

GUEST: 

Justin Tinsley, culture and sports writer for ESPN’s The Undefeated

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Fifty years ago, Marvin Gaye made a creative leap of faith, and gave us one of the most enduring works of the 20th century: his 1971 album, &ldquo;What&rsquo;s Going On?&rdquo; But a little known fact is that he had a little help from his friends -- Mel Farr and Lem Barney of the Detroit Lions. Today, we hear about the circle of&nbsp; friends who helped Gaye turn his disillusion about the world into one of the best pieces Motown ever released.
GUEST:&nbsp;
Justin Tinsley, culture and sports writer for&nbsp;ESPN&rsquo;s The Undefeated
Looking for more conversations from Stateside?<a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside"> Right this way.</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider<a href="https://bit.ly/358m02D"> supporting our work.</a>
Stateside&rsquo;s theme music is by<a href="https://14kt.bandcamp.com/"> 14KT</a>.
Additional music by<a href="https://www.sessions.blue/"> Blue Dot Sessions.</a>

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

Stateside

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://bit.ly/3RJN5Ul">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

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