After the Dance

My Life with Marvin Gaye

By: Jan Gaye, David Ritz

Narrated by: Robin Eller

A riveting cautionary tale about the ecstasy and dangers of loving Marvin Gaye, a performer passionately pursued by all—and a searing memoir of drugs, sex, and old school R&B from the wife of legendary soul icon Marvin Gaye.

After her seventeenth birthday in 1973, Janis Hunter met Marvin Gaye—the soulful prince of Motown with the seductive liquid voice whose chart-topping, socially conscious album What’s Going On made him a superstar two years earlier. Despite a seventeen-year-age difference and Marvin’s marriage to the sister of Berry Gordy, Motown’s founder, the enchanted teenager and the emotionally volatile singer began a scorching relationship.

One moment Jan was a high school student; the next she was accompanying Marvin to parties, navigating the intriguing world of 1970s-‘80s celebrity; hanging with Don Cornelius on the set of Soul Train, and helping to discover new talent like Frankie Beverly. But the burdens of fame, the chaos of dysfunctional families, and the irresistible temptations of drugs complicated their love.

Primarily silent since Marvin’s tragic death in 1984, Jan at last opens up, sharing the moving, fervently charged story of one of music history’s most fabled marriages. Unsparing in its honesty and insight, illustrated with sixteen pages of black-and-white photos, After the Dance reveals what it’s like to be in love with a creative genius who transformed popular culture and whose artistry continues to be celebrated today.

When the Dance is Over...

What made the experience of listening to After the Dance the most enjoyable?

Learning thing about Marvin Gaye's life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of After the Dance?

Even though it was sad but reading about Marvin's paranoia - his fear of performing live (who would have thought the man that sang sexual healing dealt with insecurity)

What about Robin Eller’s performance did you like?

Her voice was very calming. It felt as though Jan Gaye was reading the audiobook herself - Robin really connected with the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

When the Dance is Over...

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend!

Great story

Loved the story but didn't care for the narrator. Needed more emotion in the actual reading of story. I prefer when the actual Author narrate their own story. Other than that, it was a beautiful, but tragic love story.

Good Read

Very honest book that gave a different perspective on Marvin Gaye and his love life. i can tell he loved her very much but drugs ruined many lives. I did get sick of hearing about how much they broke up and got back together, it was very cyclical and unhealthy. Jane was so young and insecure, she literally praised Marvin and became an enabler. overall good good and shout out to Jane for being so brave to share her truth.

Uninhibited tell the artistry creativity and deceit

Amazing story kept me on the edge of my seat from Marvin Gaye's wife Janice Gaye

Talk about transparency. This was powerful!

I truly enjoyed listening to this book. It was so much more than I thought.

tragic...

The narrator was so dry. it was horrible listening to such a captivating story with such a vacant narrator. nonetheless the testimony was kind blowing. unbelievable.

Shock, Compassion

This book caused me to see Marvin Gaye as a flawed uncertain and two sided man. He was definitely a gifted musical genius but he had many demons he fought daily. I no longer see him as just an artist. He was a man struggling with addiction who put on a brave face for audiences but was fighting for his life. I hear his music with a different ear now, and I feel that he was a tortured soul unable to find happiness in this physical realm, wanting and needing to escape to the spirit realm to find his place.

The Raw Insight

This book is well written and rich with context organization and insight. Janis Gaye gives you a look into one of the greatest artist in modern times, Mr. Marvin Gaye. You also get a look into her life and her mindset. Although the book can be sad at times it also reeks with redemption and undying love. This book is essentially a love story between two people who struggle is the shadows searching for the light. This book is definitely worth your ear.

an elegance meets raunchy

I enjoyed from start to finish. Narration very well spoken and detailed. A must read

Check it out

I recommend this one it was really good. Marvin Gaye was a great artist his music is timeless.