(October 21, 2021) With the social wounds still fresh from the tragic killings of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy, the classic civil rights song “Abraham, Martin & John” became a number one hit in the U.S. for Dion in 1968. But the late, great Marvin Gaye also recorded a stirring version of the song the following year, which became the second of several hit versions of the composition.
Now, more than a half century later, Gaye’s beautiful version has received a lush updating from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to mixing in Gaye’s impassioned vocals, the new version includes alternating vocal leads by UK soul singer extraordinaire, Beverley Knight.
This fresh look at the song is truly stirring, and does both the classic composition and Gaye’s original version justice. Check it out below, and tell us what you think.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
feat. Marvin Gaye and Beverley Knight
“Abraham, Martin & John”