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Tony Roko's Canvas Take On Marvin Gaye
There has always been the heated debate in Detroit about which male singer best exemplified the Motown sound during the heyday of that glorious label's history. And although we're not going to join in or try to resolve the matter, we're certainly happy to praise Marvin Gaye here and at the same time offer kudos to Tony Roko for capturing the soul of a great singer in a noteworthy painting.
Gaye's three-octave vocal range made every song he chose to sing his and his alone. "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" and "Ain't That Peculiar" still resonate with a power that is woefully absent from the music scene these days. He was also the ideal partner for voices belonging to Mary Wells and Tammi Terrell the latter chanteuse giving an especially warm counterpoint to several of Gaye's best recordings. And The Prince of Soul still earns accolades years after his tragic death among them an enviable listing from Rolling Stone as the sixth greatest singer of all time.
Segue with us now to the talented Mr. Roko. The Detroit-area artist (who has successfully interpreted other facets of the Motor City in his works) recently completed a portrait of Gaye, titled "The Prince of Motown," that is now on view at the Motown Museum.
The 36 x 48 canvas, painted with Roko's own blend of innovative materials, depicts the Motown legend with (ah, sweet political incorrectness) a reefer clutched between his fingers. Gaye was, to put it mildly, fond of marijuana, and on one occasion refused to extinguish a joint even after a pregnant Diana Ross lodged a complaint. The standoff obliged both singers to "duet" at separate recording sessions and then be overdubbed together.
Not the most PC of depictions, the canvas has nevertheless won approval from the museum's staff. "Roko captures the feel of Studio A," chief curator Lina Stephens stated recently, "and we're excited to have this work for our exhibit." We recently chatted with Roko to find out whats going on
Why Marvin Gaye?
Marvin was a "Troubled Man." He was torn between his spiritual beliefs and his desire to overindulge in sex and drugs. Marvin always got his way, even when it wasn't good for Marvin. The painting's narrative is in reference to when Gaye, a longtime marijuana smoker, refused to put his joint out for the pregnant Diana Ross, who immediately complained to Berry Gordy about the issue. Gaye refused to sing if he couldn't smoke in the studio, and the duets album was recorded by overdubbing Ross and Gaye at separate studio session dates. With the ban on smoking taking effect May 1st, and the legalization of medical marijuana, the story seemed relevant.
What is it about Motown music that grabs you?
The Motown sound was magical. I remember realizing that the feel and common energy of many of the songs that had moved me as a child, had emerged out of a little snake pit known as Studio A ... at that moment, it all seemed to make sense to me.
Were you approached by the museum or was this your project from start to finish?
I planned to paint Marvin regardless. I went to the museum to research Studio A and to get a feel of what Marvin was like. They showed me the couch he slept on, the piano he composed on, and shared the legendary story of him and Dianna. I was obviously boiling over with inspiration when the guide asked if I was doing a story on Marvin ... after sharing my intentions, they informed me of the exhibit coming up and asked if I would send JPGs of my concept and the rest is history.
Lina Stephens, chief curator at the Motown museum, praised you for "capturing the spirit of Studio A." Whats the significance of Studio A?
I believe that Studio A proves that dreams are fueled by passion, as there is nothing fancy about the space. It was Berry's vision and the need to fill a void in music, it was about the people; Studio A was a home, and in their own right, they were family.
Do you have favorite Motown songs?
I recall hearing the song, "What's Goin' On" and I remember, as a kid, knowing that there was more to this song than I understood at the time. The song still strikes such a relevant chord with today's world ... it is timeless. I also love "You've Really Got a Hold on Me, "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" and "War" to name a few. | RDW
Prince of Motown Unveiling 4/26 The Motown Historical Museum 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit motownmuseum.com
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