Detroit, MI 48208-1237
313 875 2264
Plymouth artist Tony Roko's painting of Marvin Gaye will be on display at the Motown Museum exhibit in honor of the life and career of the legendary recording artist through the month of April.
"Roko captures the feel of Studio A", said Lina Stephens, Chief Curator at Motown, "We're excited to have the piece for our exhibit", Lina added of Roko's 36"x48" depiction of Marvin smoking in the famed studio. "No smoke - No sing was Marvin's policy on recording" said Roko, "Marvin always got his way, even when it wasn't good for Marvin".
The painting's narrative is in reference to when Gaye, a longtime marijuana smoker, refused to put his joints out for the pregnant Diana Ross, who immediately complained to Berry Gordy about the issue.
Gaye refused to sing if he couldn't smoke in the studio, and the duets album was recorded by overdubbing Ross and Gaye at separate studio session dates.
Roko is best known for his stylized portraiture and his innovative use of auto body paints for his artwork.
He has painted more than 40 murals for the Ford Motor Co.
He and his wife, Emily, and two sons are Plymouth residents.
For more information, access his website at
