Harvey Fuqua, the famed lead singer of the Moonglows and mentor to R&B legend Marvin Gaye died Tuesday at the age of 80.
Representatives for the Motown Alumni Association confirmed news of Fuqua’s passing saying that he died at a Detroit hospital of a heart attack.
Fuqua was regarded by a Gaye as a father figure who took him under his wing and added him to the Moonglows before he was murdered by his real father in 1984.
Fuqua started Tri-Phi and Harvey Records in 1961 and is credited for his role in the careers of the Spinners, Junior Walker & the All Stars, and Shorty Long.
Motown Records founder Berry Gordy later hired him to help develop up and coming talent.