Andrew De Silva and Vika Bull.
Camera IconAndrew De Silva and Vika Bull. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Motown Marvin tribute

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

AUSTRALIAN vocal powerhouse Vika Bull's love for the music of Motown legend Marvin Gaye was all she needed to say yes to perform in Marvin Gaye Let's Get It On.

The narrative concert celebrates the life and music of the multi-talented American musician, singer and songwriter who struggled with substance abuse and depression before he was shot dead in 1984 by his father, Reverend Marvin Gay Sr.

Andrew De Silva (from '90s group CBD) stars in the lead role of the two-hour tribute, with Bull assisting in narration and taking on the female duet roles of Tammi Terrell, Diana Ross and Kim Weston.

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Songs range from I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Let's Get It On to Sexual Healing to What's Going On.

"He was extremely gifted, so that was why I thought it was important his story was told and out there for people to see," Bull said.

"Marvin really wasn't as well-known in this country. He had a very long career and a lot of hits in America but it wasn't really until he released Sexual Healing in Australia that people here knew about him.

"They didn't realise he had all these other songs which I found as a bit of an eye opener. I think Australia was more into rock and roll and the pub scene."

Bull said the show explained why songs were written and looked at how Gaye wrote about things that were happening around him.

"He felt things very deeply so he wrote about that; classic songs that still stand up today," she said.

"His upbringing really haunted him; he had a terrible father and that affected him.

"I do The Etta James Story as well and she talks about Marvin in her book because they toured together a lot when they were young.

"She talks about him, saying how he was always a bit troubled but couldn't quite put a finger on it, which I thought was really interesting."

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Marvin Gaye Let's Get It On

Where: Regal Theatre, Subiaco

When: September 1 to 6

Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au