Singer Frankie Gaye, whose experiences and observations in Vietnam during the U.S. military action there influenced older brother Marvin's Motown album "What's Going On," died Dec. 28 in Los Angeles of complications from a heart attack. He was 60.
Frankie was a radio operator in Vietnam during the 1960s and wrote his brother letters that Marvin translated into several songs for 1971's "What's Going On" album including "Save the Children," "Inner City Blues" and "Mercy Mercy Me."
Like his late brother Marvin, Frankie began singing in church as an adolescent, worked with various Motown artists including Mary Wells and provided background vocals on many of his brother's albums including "What's Going On" and "Marvin Gaye, Live at the London Palladium" in 1977.
He toured both the United States and England and composed the soundtrack to the 1972 film "Penitentiary." In 1989 he released the single "Extraordinary Girl" and the following year released "My Brother."
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Irene, two daughters and a son.
Contact Variety Staff at
news@variety.com