Rear View Mirror Sessions: Marvin Gaye

Arts + Public Life, in partnership with the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, Soundrotation, Brain Trust Management, and the UChicago Department of Race, Diaspora and Indigeneity, presents a new installment of Rear View Mirror Sessions. Since 2017, the Quintessential Listening and Lecture Series led by music historian and DJ Duane Powell has taken audiences on a journey through the lives of musical legends and heroes, from The Isley Brothers, Gladys Knight and Nina Simone, to Chaka Khan, Sly and the Family Stone, and Rick James. Each session features a special guest musical performer drawn from Chicago's own rich talent and audience participation is always encouraged.

The series continues with a celebration of Marvin Gaye, the Prince of Motown. As a singer, songwriter and producer of rare sensitivity and originality, Gaye had the ability to turn the turmoil of his life into transcendent music. Known for for combining the secular and spiritual throughout his career, Gaye never failed to surprise with autobiographical musings that shifted from r&b and pop to funk, disco and social commentary.  From his mystical rendering of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” through the timeless “What’s Going On” and chart-topping “Sexual Healing,” Gaye’s rule-breaking approach paved the way for artists from Barry White and Stevie Wonder to the Rolling Stones.

Our musical guest will announced soon.!

Artist and event support provided by The Toni Morrison Foundation as part of “Now is the Time: Artists go to Work” 2026-2027 programming.