The father of the singer Marvin Gaye has died, some 14 years after he shot and killed his son during a family argument.

Marvin Gay senior, the correct spelling of the family name was without an 'e' at the end of their surname, died in hospital after developing pneumonia at a retirement home in long beach, California.

Marvin snr had shot his son at their Los Angeles home in April of 1984.

Throughout much of his life, Marvin snr had had a troubled relationship with his son, who was to become one of the leading black performers of all time.

A church pastor

Marvin snr had been a pastor in the Hebrew Pentecostal Church, in a suburb of Washington DC, and the church naturally became a focal point for the entire family.



