Susan Whitall
The Detroit News
Lem Barney, Duke Fakir and Christian McBride talk Marvin Gaye
Former Detroit Lion Lem Barney and founding Four Top Duke Fakir joined artist in residence Christian McBride at a discussion of the great Marvin Gaye at the Jazz Talk Tent at the Detroit Jazz Festival Monday afternoon.
Duke was a witty raconteur, telling insider stories about Marvin and his collaborations with the Four Tops' Obie Benson on "What's Going On."
A scratch golfer himself, Duke told how suave singer Billy Eckstine, a "golf hustler," would win money from Marvin out on the golf course, repeatedly.
Lem Barney, a personal friend of Marvin's, drew laughs when he described the singer's unsuccessful attempt to try out for the Detroit Lions in the late '60s.
After the talk, when a fan said Lem looked so trim he could play for the Lions today, the Hall of Fame cornerback retorted, "I could, but the difference is, if someone hit me like that today I'd have to shoot them."
Christian McBride opened the discussion up when he talked about Marvin Gaye's strong jazz influences, asking Lem and Duke to comment.
I was honored to moderate, and to hear the stories.
