MOTOWN SNAPSHOT FLASHBACK: MARVIN GAYE, ’71! Marvin Gaye. Captured here in a black and white still. April, 1971 . (To fully appreciate this image click on 2x for largest view). Marvin Gaye’s, iconic, ‘What’s Going On’ album was released on Motown’s Tamla label, May, 1971. The single, by the same name, was released earlier in January. Marvin Gaye, 1971. In preparing for the album’s cover layout, this photograph of Marvin was shot in Detroit by photographer Jim Hendin.