The popular record “What’s Going On?” by Marvin Gaye, which was released in January 1971, included two current players from the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.
Who backed up Marvin Gaye?
Barney and his buddies happened to be in Gaye’s suburban Detroit neighborhood one afternoon in the summer of 1968 after playing a morning round of golf. Barney located Gaye’s home, according to Justin Tinsley of The Undefeated, and knocked on the door.
Although the musician knew him, the Lions’ Pro Bowl defensive back was unfamiliar with Marvin Gaye. Years later, Barney recalled that Marvin was an avid sports lover. “We connected right away.”
That day saw the beginning of a friendship that would shape the course of music. A few years later, Detroit songwriter Al Cleveland approached Gaye with a song about the epidemic of black people being killed by police in America. At first, Gaye was hesitant.
Political music was not released by Motown Records, and their musicians were urged to use safe subject matter. However, after hearing the song, a few of Gaye’s friends, notably Farr and Barney, persuaded the Detroit singer to record it.
