WASHINGTON - The District honored legendary musician and performer Marvin Gaye Wednesday, renaming the 6200 block of Foote Street NE Marvin Gaye Way.

Marvin grew up on the street before relocating to Detroit and Los Angeles.

"His music is as relevant today as it was in 1971," said Motown Ambassador Bryan Summers. "I'm glad to see this come to fruition," he added later. "It's important to this neighborhood".

There have been many music stars to come out of D.C., but few as talented and beloved as Marvin Gaye.

Gaye's music touched the lives of millions across the world, Wednesday afternoon in his old Northeast neighborhood he was honored.

"A lot of people don't know that Marvin Gaye was actually raised right here in Ward 7," Council member Yvette Alexander said.

Wednesday marked the 25th anniversary of Gaye's untimely death. He was shot by his father after intervening in a dispute between his parents.

Longtime fan Ricardo Holmes helped clean up this park where Gaye used to hang out.

"A lot of his songs were written right here on the river bank," Holmes said.

Temptations member Joe Herndon remembers Gaye as a visionary who was far ahead of his time.

"He contributed so much to people, people's beliefs and hopes through his music," Herndon said.

The legislation renaming the street is part of a larger effort to revitalize the neighborhood. Organizers plan to hold a music festival at Marvin Gaye park in his honor.

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