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What's Going On - Music That Defined A Decade

To mark the 40th anniversary of one of the most influential albums ever released, Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, Smokey Robinson explores the social and political impact of this classic album.

To mark the 40th anniversary of one of the most influential albums ever released, Marvin Gaye's What's Going On - which was released in May 1971 - Smokey Robinson explores the social and political impact of this classic album and explains why Marvin's masterpiece still has resonance today.

What's Going On was the first album to feature songs about social injustice, suffering, hatred, drug abuse, war, loss and poverty and inspired a new generation of performers to use their music for social commentary.

Guests in the programme include Stevie Wonder, Mary Wilson, Lamont Dozier, Harry Belafonte, John Legend, Beverly Knight, David Gray and three of the surviving Funk Brothers who played with Marvin on the album - Bob Babbitt, Joe Messina and Jack Ashford.

This documentary was first broadcast on 21 May 2011.

25 minutes

Last on

Tue 11 Oct 2011 01:05GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 10 Oct 2011 08:05GMT
  • Mon 10 Oct 2011 12:05GMT
  • Mon 10 Oct 2011 15:05GMT
  • Mon 10 Oct 2011 19:05GMT
  • Tue 11 Oct 2011 01:05GMT