Stevie Wonder
Who was Stevie Wonder?
American and Ghanaian singer-songwriter, composer and record producer (born 1950)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Stevie Wonder (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Stevie Wonder, originally named Stevland Hardaway Judkins, was born on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan. He is an American and Ghanaian singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer who became one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Born six weeks early, he developed retinopathy of prematurity, which caused him to become blind shortly after birth. Despite this, Wonder showed incredible musical talent from a young age, teaching himself to play the piano, harmonica, and drums before he turned ten.
His career started when Ronnie White of The Miracles discovered him at age eleven. Berry Gordy Jr. signed him to Motown Records in 1961, where he was first known as "Little Stevie Wonder." He had his big break in 1963 with the live recording "Fingertips," which topped both the pop and R&B charts. This made him the youngest artist to have a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 at that time. In the 1960s, he honed his skills while attending the Michigan School for the Blind.
The 1970s were his most successful and creative years. After gaining control over his music at age 21, he released a series of innovative albums like "Music of My Mind" (1972), "Talking Book" (1972), "Innervisions" (1973), and "Songs in the Key of Life" (1976). These albums highlighted his skill with various instruments, creative use of synthesizers, and powerful songwriting about social issues, love, and spirituality. His marriage to singer-songwriter Syreeta Wright in 1970 also influenced his work, though they divorced in 1972.
Wonder's impact reaches beyond music into social activism and humanitarian efforts. He was instrumental in making Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a federal holiday, supporting the campaign with his song "Happy Birthday" in 1980. He has won 25 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most awarded artists in Grammy history. In 2010, the French government honored him as Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres for his cultural contributions. Over a career spanning more than sixty years, Wonder has sold over 100 million records worldwide and continues to perform and record, keeping his status as a living legend in popular music.
Before Fame
Stevie Wonder grew up in a working-class family and moved with his mother and siblings to Detroit, Michigan, during his early childhood. Despite being blind, he naturally developed his musical talents, quickly learning to play multiple instruments by ear. His mother, Lula Mae Hardaway, saw his exceptional talent and encouraged his musical growth.
The late 1950s and early 1960s were a transformative time in American popular music, with the rise of soul, R&B, and the Motown sound that defined a generation. Detroit's Motown Records, founded by Berry Gordy Jr., was searching for young talent to compete with established record labels. This setting was perfect for Wonder's discovery and quick rise to fame in the music industry.
Key Achievements
- Won 25 Grammy Awards, including three Album of the Year awards
- First Motown artist to gain full creative control over his recordings
- Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989
- Instrumental in establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as federal holiday
- Sold over 100 million records worldwide
Did You Know?
- 01.He played 27 different instruments on his album 'Songs in the Key of Life'
- 02.Wonder was one of the first musicians to use a Fairlight CMI digital sampler in the early 1980s
- 03.He has been married three times and has nine children with five different women
- 04.Wonder turned down an opportunity to join The Rolling Stones as their keyboard player in the 1970s
- 05.He performed at both Barack Obama's presidential inaugurations in 2009 and 2013
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres | 2010 | — |