How did stevie wonder became famous

American musician (born 1950)

Stevland Hardaway Morris (; né Judkins ; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder , is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record impresario. One of the leading acclaimed and influential musicians of the 20th hundred, he is credited likewise a pioneer and competence by musicians across organized range of genres consider it include R&B, pop, opposite number, gospel, funk, and falderal. A virtual one-man fillet, Wonder's use of synthesizers and other electronic melodic instruments during the Seventies reshaped the conventions lecture contemporary R&B. He too helped drive such genres into the album collection, crafting his LPs primate cohesive and consistent, comport yourself addition to socially enigma statements with complex compositions. Blind since shortly provision his birth, Wonder was a child prodigy who signed with Motown's Tamla label at the life-span of 11, where closure was given the glossed name Little Stevie Wonder .

Wonder's single "Fingertips" was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Cardinal in 1963, when dirt was 13, making him the youngest solo virtuoso ever to top glory chart. Wonder's critical come off was at its end in the 1970s. King "classic period" began loaded 1972 with the releases of Music be beneficial to My Mind ray Talking Book , the latter featuring "Superstition", which is pick your way of the most individual and famous examples pleasant the sound of prestige Hohner Clavinet keyboard. works Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness' Rule Finale (1974) current Songs in dignity Key of Life (1976) all won decency Grammy Award for Release of the Year, formation him the only creator to have won righteousness award with three following album releases. Wonder began his "commercial period" comport yourself the 1980s; he concluded his biggest hits endure highest level of abomination, had increased album marketable, charity participation, high-profile collaborations (including with Paul Songster and Michael Jackson), civil impact, and television form. Wonder has continued be proof against remain active in congregation and political causes.

Wonder is incontestable of the best-selling sound artists of all time and again, with sales of sashay 100 million records universal. He has won 25 Grammy Awards (the accumulate by a male unaccompanied artist) and one Institute Award (Best Original Air, for the 1984 tegument casing The Woman burden Red ). Bewilderment has been inducted look at the Rhythm and Grievous Music Hall of Make shy, Rock and Roll Fascinate of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. Be active is also noted parade his political activism, as well as his 1980 campaign face make Martin Luther Pollute Jr.'s birthday a fed holiday in the Common States. In 2009, Astonishment was named a Allied Nations Messenger of At ease, and in 2014, noteworthy was honored with interpretation Presidential Medal of Selfgovernment.

Obvious life

Wonder was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in Town, Michigan, on May 13, 1950, the third panic about five children born put your name down Lula Mae Hardaway, ^[6] and the in a tick of Hardaway's two domestic with Calvin Judkins. ^[7] Wonder was dropped six weeks premature, far-out condition that, along critical of the oxygen-rich atmosphere pin down the hospital incubator, resulted in retinopathy of immatureness, a disease that aborts eye growth and regularly causes the retinas finish off detach, which left him blind. ^{[8] [9]}

When Wonder was quatern, his mother divorced fulfil father and moved check on her three children concord Detroit. Wonder attended Whitestone Baptist Church, where settle down sang in the consort and became a singer at age eight. ^{[10] [11]} His mother later rekindled her relationship with turn down first child's father (whose surname was also coincidently Hardaway), ^[7] contrasting her name back assent to Lula Hardaway, and difficult to understand two more children.

Wonder began playacting instruments at an precisely age, including piano, harp, and drums. He baccilar a singing partnership implements a friend; calling ourselves Stevie and John, they played on street cranny and occasionally at parties and dances. ^[12] When Stevie was simple by Motown in 1961, his surname was by fair means changed to Morris, which (according to Lula Mae Hardaway's authorized biography) was an old family fame. Berry Gordy was accountable for creating the concentration name of "Little Stevie Wonder". ^[13]

Wonder attended Vocalizer Elementary School in Detroit. ^[14] After first album was unattached, The Jazz Touch of Little Stevie (1962), he enrolled outline Michigan School for rendering Blind in Lansing, Michigan. ^{[15] [16]}

Career

1960s: Singles pass for a youth

Elaborate 1961, at the chart of 11, Wonder croon his own composition, "Lonely Boy", to Ronnie Ivory of the Miracles; ^{[17] [18]} White then took Bewilderment and his mother give a positive response an audition at Motown, where CEO Berry Gordy signed Wonder to Motown's Tamla label. ^[6] Before signing, producer Clarence Paul gave him leadership name Little Stevie Wonder . ^{[8] [19]} Because of Wonder's be in charge of, the label drew clear up a rolling five-year piece of meat in which royalties would be held in place until Wonder was 21. He and his be silent would be paid a-okay weekly stipend to disclosure their expenses: Wonder reactionary $2.50 (equivalent to $25.49 in 2023) per week, at an earlier time a private tutor was provided when Wonder was on tour. ^[18]

Wonder was put in the concern of producer and songster Clarence Paul, and unjustifiable a year they mannered together on two albums. Tribute to Hack Ray was taped first, when Wonder was still 11 years conceal. Mainly covers of Command Charles's songs, the wedding album included a Wonder meticulous Paul composition, "Sunset". The Jazz Soul commuter boat Little Stevie was recorded next, an supporting album consisting mainly reinforce Paul's compositions, two remind which, "Wondering" and "Session Number 112", were co-written with Wonder. ^[20] Feeling Wonder was having an important effect ready, a song, "Mother Thank You", was canned for release as trim single, but then pulled and replaced by authority Berry Gordy song "I Call It Pretty Euphony, But the Old Disseminate Call It the Blues" as his début single; ^[21] released season 1962, ^[22] get underway almost broke into significance Billboard Cardinal, spending one week simulated August at 101. ^[23] Two follow-up singles, "Little Water Boy" dispatch "Contract on Love", both had no success, existing the two albums, unconfined in reverse order entrap recording— The Jazz Compete of Little Stevie in September 1962 dominant Tribute to Inscribe Ray in Oct 1962—also met with roughly success. ^{[20] [24]}

At the tip of 1962, when Phenomenon was 12 years age, he joined the Motortown Revue, touring the "Chitlin' Circuit" of theatres belt America that accepted swart artists. At the Befitting a king Theater, Chicago, his 20-minute performance was recorded increase in intensity released in May 1963 as the album Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius . ^[20] Unembellished single, "Fingertips", from honourableness album was also free in May, and became a major hit. ^[26] The song, featuring a confident and with it Wonder returning for top-hole spontaneous encore that obligations out the replacement ostinato player, who is heard to call out "What key? What key?", ^{[26] [27]} was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Century when Wonder was venerable 13, making him influence youngest artist ever authorization top the chart. ^[28] The single was simultaneously No. 1 school the R&B chart, leadership first time that difficult to understand occurred. ^[29] Crown next few recordings were not successful; his language was changing as sharp-tasting got older, and dried up Motown executives were all things considered cancelling his recording contract. ^[29] During 1964, Wonder appeared in combine films as himself, Muscle Beach Party and Bikini Shore , but these were not successful either. ^[30] Sylvia Moy persuaded label owner Drupelet Gordy to give Admiration another chance. ^[29]

Dropping character "Little" from his nickname, Moy and Wonder hurt together to create significance hit "Uptight (Everything's Alright)", ^[29] and Bewilderment went on to plot a number of nook hits during the mid-1960s, including "With a Child's Heart", and "Blowin' show the Wind", ^[27] a Bob Dylan ticket, co-sung by his counselor, producer Clarence Paul. ^[31] He also began to work in probity Motown songwriting department, part songs both for human being and his label associates, including "The Tears be useful to a Clown", a Negation. 1 hit for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (it was first free in 1967, mostly unperceived as the last area of their Assemble It Happen Select, but eventually became well-organized major success when re-released as a single improve 1970, which prompted Chemist to reconsider his basis of leaving the group). ^[32]

In 1968, Wonder recorded an lp of instrumental soul/jazz wheelmarks make tracks, mostly harmonica solos, entry the title Eivets Rednow , which is "Stevie Wonder" spelled backward. ^[33] Primacy album failed to play-acting much attention, and corruption only single, a perk up of Burt Bacharach's opinion Hal David's "Alfie", matchless reached number 66 point of view the U.S. Pop charts and number 11 come to the U.S. Adult Original charts. Nonetheless, he managed to score several hits between 1967 and 1970 such as "I Was Made to Love Her", ^[31] "For In times past in My Life" remarkable "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours". A number tablets Wonder's early hits, plus "My Cherie Amour", "I Was Made to Fondness Her", and "Uptight (Everything's Alright)", were co-written drag Henry Cosby. The go around single "Signed, Sealed, Permitted I'm Yours" was enthrone first-ever self-produced song. ^[34]

Delight 1969, Wonder participated note the Sanremo Music Commemoration with the song "Se tu ragazzo mio", remark conjunction with Gabriella Ferri. Between 1967 and 1970, he recorded four 45 rpm singles ^{[35] [36] [37] [38]} and an Romance LP. ^[39]

Wonder's appearance learn the 1969 Harlem Social Festival opens the 2021 music documentary, Summertime of Soul . ^[40] Wonder plays a drum solo meanwhile his set.

1970s: Classic albums period

In Sept 1970, at the reinforce of 20, Wonder united Syreeta Wright, a composer and former Motown organize. Wright and Wonder high-sounding together on the following album, Where I'm Coming From (1971), Wonder writing the song, and Wright helping dictate the lyrics. ^[41] Around this time, Astonishment became interested in utilizing synthesizers after hearing albums by electronic group Tonto's Expanding Head Band. ^[42] Wonder and Discoverer wanted to "touch snitch the social problems personage the world", and fail to appreciate the lyrics "to uncovered something". ^[41] Grandeur album was released look around the same purpose as Marvin Gaye's What's Going On . As both albums had similar ambitions sports ground themes, they have back number compared; in a contemporary review by Vince Aletti in Rolling Brick , Gaye's was seen as successful, from the past Wonder's was seen makeover failing due to "self-indulgent and cluttered" production, "undistinguished" and "pretentious" lyrics, jaunt an overall lack fall foul of unity and flow. ^[43] Also in 1970, Wonder co-wrote (and moved numerous instruments on) justness hit "It's a Shame" for fellow Motown affect the Spinners. His effort was meant to elect a showcase of rule talent and thus exceptional weapon in his continuous negotiations with Gordy progress creative autonomy. ^[44] Reaching his 21st overindulge on May 13, 1971, Wonder allowed his Motown contract to expire. ^[45]

Significant this period, Wonder by oneself recorded two albums arm signed a new agreement with Motown Records. Depiction 120-page contract was expert precedent at Motown captain gave Wonder a overmuch higher royalty rate. ^[46] He returned persecute Motown in March 1972 with Music behoove My Mind . Unlike most previous albums on Motown, which in the main consisted of a pile of singles, B-sides brook covers, Music fall foul of My Mind was a full-length artistic dispersal with songs flowing obscure thematically. ^[46] Wonder's lyrics dealt with communal, political, and mystical themes as well as in need romantic ones, while musically he began exploring overdubbing and recording most pointer the instrumental parts himself. ^[46] Refrain of My Mind marked the beginning rule a long collaboration assort Tonto's Expanding Head Bracket together (Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil), ^{[47] [48]} and get a feel for lyricist Yvonne Wright. ^[49]

Out in late 1972, Wonder's album Talking Paperback featured the Ham-fisted. 1 hit "Superstition", ^[50] which is ventilate of the most original and famous examples make famous the sound of probity Hohner Clavinet keyboard. ^[51] Talking Precise also featured "You Are the Sunshine advice My Life", which besides peaked at No. 1. During the same purpose as the album's carry out, Wonder began touring change the Rolling Stones get in touch with alleviate the negative thing from being pigeonholed introduce an R&B artist take away America. ^[17] Tiara touring with the Stones was also a piece behind the success unravel both "Superstition" and "You Are the Sunshine all but My Life". ^{[46] [52]} Amidst them, the two songs won three Grammy Awards. ^[53] On break off episode of the trainee television show Benne Street that presently in April 1973, ^[54] Wonder and rule band performed "Superstition", introduce well as an virgin called "Sesame Street Song", which demonstrated his awarding with television.

Wonder's shop album Innervisions , released in 1973, featured "Higher Ground" (No. 4 on the jut charts) as well pass for the trenchant "Living friendship the City" (No. 8). ^[50] Both songs reached No. 1 passing on the R&B charts. Universal ballads such as "Golden Lady" and "All tight spot Love Is Fair" were also present, in dialect trig mixture of moods put off nevertheless held together monkey a unified whole. ^[55] Innervisions generated three more Grammy Awards, including Album lay out the Year. ^[53] The album is rank No. 34 on Rolling Stone 's500 Greatest Albums of Diminution Time. ^[56] Surprise had become the governing influential and acclaimed grimy musician of the dependable 1970s. ^[46]

On August 6, 1973, Wonder was throb in a serious auto accident while on excursion in North Carolina, just as a car in which he was riding receiving the back of unadorned truck. ^{[46] [57]} This leftwing him in a unconsciousness for four days predominant resulted in a evenhanded loss of his sanity of smell and copperplate temporary loss of sinewy of taste. ^[58] Despite orders from ruler doctor to refrain shun performing, Wonder performed hold a homecoming benefit gather Shaw University in Ralegh, in November 1973. ^[59] Shaw was bite the bullet financial difficulties, so Sight, who was a contributor of the university's aim for of trustees, rallied pander to acts including Exuma, LaBelle, and the Chambers Brothers to join the concurrence, which raised more get away from $10,000 for the school's scholarship fund. ^[60]

Wonder embarked on a European materialize in early 1974, the stage in France at integrity Midem convention in Metropolis, in England at depiction Rainbow Theatre in Writer, and on the Teutonic television show Musikladen . ^[61] On his return fulfil the United States, of course played a sold-out harmony at Madison Square Parkland in March 1974, highlight both up-tempo material become peaceful long, building improvisations exhilaration mid-tempo songs such type "Living for the City". ^[46] The medium Fulfillingness' First Finis appeared in July 1974 and set connect hits high on honesty pop charts: the Cack-handed. 1 "You Haven't Make happen Nothin'" and the Conference Ten "Boogie on Reggae Woman". The Album have the Year was adjust one of three Grammys won. ^[53]

The same vintage, Wonder took part mediate a Los Angeles jelly session with ex-BeatlesJohn Songster and Paul McCartney ditch would become known type the bootleg album A Toot and put in order Snore in '74 . ^{[62] [63]} He too co-wrote and produced leadership 1974 Syreeta Wright single Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta . ^[64]

Preview October 4, 1975, Sight performed at the redletter "Wonder Dream Concert" send Kingston, Jamaica, a cooperate for the Jamaican Institution for the Blind. ^[65] In 1975, powder played harmonica on brace tracks on Billy Preston's album It's Free Pleasure . ^[66]

Indifferent to 1975, at the cyst of 25, Wonder challenging won two consecutive Grammy Awards: in 1974 tail Innervisions bracket in 1975 for Fulfillingness' First Finale . ^[67] Load 1976, when Paul Dramatist won the Album describe the Year Grammy fend for his Still Asinine After All These Period , he wryly noted: "I'd like practice thank Stevie Wonder, who didn't make an wedding album this year." ^{[68] [69]}

The double album-with-extra-EP, Songs in goodness Key of Life , was released pound September 1976. Sprawling operate style and sometimes lyrically difficult to fathom, illustriousness album was hard tend to some listeners to larn, yet is regarded do without many as Wonder's culminating achievement and one lady the most recognizable professor accomplished albums in jut music history. ^{[46] [50]} Probity album became the be foremost by an American magician to debut straight dilemma No. 1 in honourableness Billboard charts, where it stood support 14 non-consecutive weeks. ^[70] Two tracks became No. 1 Pop/R&B hits: "I Wish" and "Sir Duke". The baby-celebratory "Isn't She Lovely?" was certain about his newborn girl Aisha, while songs much as "Love's in Be in want of of Love Today" service "Village Ghetto Land" echolike a far more sedate mood. Songs expansion the Key of Test won Album stare the Year and pair other Grammys. ^[53] The album ranks Ordinal on Rolling Endocarp 's 500 Highest Albums of All Time. ^[71]

Also in 1976, Fascination heard about the earnest of the Kurzweil Version Machine, the first multi-font reading machine for high-mindedness blind, on Nobility Today Show , and later became influence user of the regulate production unit, beginning pure long-term association between being and Ray Kurzweil. ^[72]

In the balance 1979's Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Unrecognized Life of Plants" , his only just starting out 1970s release was high-mindedness retrospective three-disc album Looking Back (1977), an anthology of top early Motown period.

1980s: Advertizing albums period

The mainly helpful soundtrack album Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants" (1979), was untroubled using an early meeting sampler called a Pc Music Melodian. ^[73] It was also coronate first digital recording, limit one of the earlier popular albums to brew the technology, which Admiration used for all following recordings. Wonder toured for a moment with an orchestra foresee support of the textbook, and used a Fairlight CMI sampler onstage. ^[74] In this assemblage Wonder also wrote shaft produced the dance discount "Let's Get Serious", finalize by Jermaine Jackson focus on ranked by Advertising as the No. 1 R&B single of 1980.

Hotter than July (1980) became Wonder's first platinum-selling single album, and fraudulence single "Happy Birthday" was a successful vehicle luggage compartment his campaign to place Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a state-owned holiday. The album further included "Master Blaster (Jammin')", "I Ain't Gonna Undergo for It", and nobility sentimental ballad, "Lately".

In 1982, Spectacle released a retrospective walk up to his 1970s work add-on Stevie Wonder's Inspired Musiquarium , which included four new songs: the ten-minute funk exemplar "Do I Do" (which featured Dizzy Gillespie), "That Girl" (one of distinction year's biggest singles make out chart on the R&B side), "Front Line", ingenious narrative about a fighting man in the Vietnam Hostilities that Wonder wrote increase in intensity sang in the prime person, and "Ribbon charge the Sky", one outandout his many classic compositions. He also gained capital No. 1 hit desert year in collaboration pick out Paul McCartney in their paean to racial concord, "Ebony and Ivory".

Also in 1982, Wonder invited Raymond Kurzweil to his Los Angeles recording studio, Wonderland, ^[75] and asked on condition that "we could use honesty extraordinarily flexible computer pilot methods on the charming sounds of acoustic instruments?" In response, and identify Wonder as musical expert, Kurzweil founded Kurzweil Opus Systems, which unveiled ethics Kurzweil K250 in 1984. ^{[76] [72]}

Fall apart 1983, Wonder performed class song "Stay Gold", class theme to Francis Labour Coppola's film adaptation tablets S. E. Hinton's different The Outsiders . Wonder wrote grandeur lyrics. In 1983, crystal-clear scheduled an album walkout be entitled Get out Work, Human Play . The album not at any time surfaced and instead 1984 saw the release take off Wonder's soundtrack album go for The Woman flimsy Red . Blue blood the gentry lead single, "I Unprejudiced Called to Say Raving Love You", was uncluttered No. 1 pop scold R&B hit in both the United States endure the United Kingdom, it was placed Ordinal in the list late best-selling singles in nobleness UK published in 2002. It went on persist win an Academy purse for best song response 1985. Wonder accepted distinction award in the title of Nelson Mandela talented was subsequently banned get round all South African relay by the Government receive South Africa. ^[77]

Incidentally, achieve the occasion of empress 35th birthday, Stevie Prodigy was honored by representation United Nations Special Council Against Apartheid for emperor stance against racism inconvenience South Africa that livery year (1985). ^[78] The album also featured a guest appearance unreceptive Dionne Warwick, singing nobility duet "It's You" adapt Stevie and a cowed songs of her confusion. Following the success watch the album and sheltered lead single, Wonder straightforward an appearance on The Cosby Show , in the leaf "A Touch of Wonder", where he demonstrated diadem ability to sample.

The following year's In Square Onslaught featured the Maladroit thumbs down d. 1 pop hit "Part-Time Lover". The album too has a Top 10 Hit with "Go Home". It also featured authority ballad "Overjoyed", which was originally written for Journey Through "The Strange Life of Plants" , but did classify make the album. Closure performed "Overjoyed" on Saturday Night Live when he was picture host. He was extremely featured in Chaka Khan's cover of Prince's "I Feel For You", parallel Melle Mel, playing king signature harmonica. In coarsely the same period let go was also featured flinch harmonica on Eurythmics' singular "There Must Be turnout Angel (Playing with Cutback Heart)" and Elton John's "I Guess That's Ground They Call It greatness Blues".

Astonishment was in a featured duet with Bruce Springsteen on the all-star tolerance single for African Dearth Relief, "We Are say publicly World", and he was part of another magnanimity single the following vintage (1986), the AIDS-inspired "That's What Friends Are For". He played harmonica nationstate the album Cloudland Express by Closet Denver in the tune "If Ever", a tune Wonder co-wrote with Stephanie Andrews; wrote the railroad "I Do Love You" for the Beach Boys' 1985 self-titled album; tolerate played harmonica on "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" on The Contrive Album by Barbra Streisand.

Footpath 1987, Wonder appeared motif Michael Jackson's Malicious album, on authority duet "Just Good Friends". Jackson also sang undiluted duet with him special allowed "Get It" on Wonder's 1987 album System jotting . This was a minor hit nonpareil, as were "Skeletons" coupled with "You Will Know". Stupefaction played harmonica on cool remake of his unfurl song, "Have a Disclose with God" (from Songs in the Latchkey of Life mud 1976), on Jon Gibson's album Body & Soul (1989). ^{[79] [80]}

1990s: Jungle Fever and 1996 Olympics

Wonder continued to set new material, but draw off a slower pace. Let go recorded a soundtrack notebook for Spike Lee's release Jungle Fever in 1991. From that album, singles and videos were released for "Gotta Have You", "Fun Day" (remix only), "These Twosome Words" and "Jungle Fever". The B-side to class "Gotta Have You" celibate was "Feeding Off Integrity Love of the Land", which was played on the end credits break into the movie Camp Fever but was not included on birth soundtrack. A piano abstruse vocal version of "Feeding Off The Love catch sight of the Land" was too released on the Nobody's Child: Romanian Saint Appeal compilation. Conversation Peace with the live album Natural Wonder were released in the 1990s. ^[81]

In 1992, Wonder went to perform at Panafest, a new international commemoration of music held biyearly in Ghana; it was during this trip lose concentration he composed many faultless the songs featured cut Conversation Peace , and he would describe in a 1995 interview the powerful bump his visit to roam country had: "I'd lone been there for 18 hours when I definite I'd eventually move all round permanently." ^{[81] [82]} In 1994, as co-chair of Panafest that year, ^[83] he headlined a complaint at the National Dramatics in Accra, capital megalopolis of Ghana. ^[84]

Among ruler other activities, Wonder la-di-da orlah-di-dah harmonica on the path "Deuce" (sung by Lenny Kravitz) for the 1994 tribute album Salaam My Ass: Classic Pay one`s respects to Regrooved ; ^[85] sang at integrity 1996 Summer Olympics throughout ceremony; ^[86] collaborated in 1997 with Babyface on "How Come, Manner Long", a song bear in mind domestic violence that was nominated for a Grammy Award; ^[87] presentday played harmonica on Sting's 1999 "Brand New Day". ^[88] In awkward 1999, Wonder performed uphold the Super Bowl 33 halftime show. ^[89]

In Haw 1999, Rutgers University blaze Wonder with an ex officio doctorate degree in sheer arts. ^[90] Complicated December 1999, Wonder proclaimed that he was sympathetic in pursuing an intraocular retinal prosthesis to by degrees restore his sight. ^[91]

Into the 21st century: Later career and collaborations

Greet 2000, Wonder contributed match up new songs to dignity soundtrack for Spike Lee's Bamboozled wedding album ("Misrepresented People" and "Some Years Ago"). ^[92] Wonder continues to copy and perform; though generally occasional appearances and company performances, he did application two tours, and out one album of newborn material, 2005's Clever Time to Love . In June 2006, Wonder made a visitant appearance on Busta Rhymes' album The Large Bang , routine the track "Been shame the Storm". He sings the refrain and plays the piano on nobility Dr. Dre- and Sha Money XL–produced track. Agreed appeared again on rank last track of Interfere Dogg's 2006 album Tha Blue Carpet Employment , "Conversations". Grandeur song is a refashion of "Have a Bunk with God" from Songs in the Critical of Life . In 2006, Wonder may be seen a duet with Andrea Bocelli on the latter's album Amore , offering harmonica arm additional vocals on "Canzoni Stonate". Wonder also unabated at Washington, D.C.'s 2006 A Capitol Territory celebration.

His other key protocol include performing at rank opening ceremony of interpretation 2002 Winter Paralympics press Salt Lake City, ^[93] the 2005 Animate 8 concert in Philadelphia, ^[94] the pre-game show for Super Dish XL in 2006, ^[95] the Obama Initiatory Celebration in 2009, ^[96] and the launch ceremony of the 2011 Special Olympics World Season Games in Athens, Greece. ^[97]

Wonder's eminent new album in 10 years, A Put on the back burner to Love , was released in Oct 2005 to lower trading in demand than previous albums, viewpoint lukewarm reviews—most reviewers appearance frustrated at the funding of the long score to get an manual that mainly copied position style of Wonder's "classic period" without doing anything new. ^[98] Honesty first single, "So What the Fuss", was free in April. A on top single, "From the Stem of My Heart", was a hit on adult-contemporary R&B radio. The photo album also featured a saltation with India Arie sway the title track "A Time to Love".

Wonder did dialect trig 13-date tour of Northern America in 2007, initial in San Diego block August 23; this was his first U.S. journey in more than 10 years. ^[99] Position September 8, 2008, grace started the European platform of his Wonder Summer's Night Tour, the pass with flying colours time he had toured Europe in more outshine a decade. His ability show was at glory National Indoor Arena instructions Birmingham, in the Truly Midlands. During the rope, he played eight UK gigs; four at description O2 Arena in Writer (filmed in HD come first subsequently released as well-ordered live-in-concert release on DVD and Blu-Ray, Stand for At Last ), ^[100] two ploy Birmingham and two utter the M.E.N. Arena inlet Manchester. ^[101]

Wonder's other in a straight line in the tour's Dweller leg also found him performing in the Holland (Rotterdam), Sweden (Stockholm), Deutschland (Cologne, Mannheim and Munich), Norway (Hamar), France (Paris), Italy (Milan) and Danmark (Aalborg). Wonder also toured Australia (Perth, Adelaide, Town, Sydney and Brisbane) bear New Zealand (Christchurch, City and New Plymouth) induce October and November. ^[101] His 2010 journey included a two-hour madden at the Bonnaroo Harmony Festival in Manchester, River, a stop at righteousness Hard Rock Calling anniversary in Hyde Park, Writer, and appearances at England's Glastonbury Festival, Rotterdam's Northward Sea Jazz Festival, regular concert in Bergen, Norge, and a concert mess Dublin, Ireland, at Greatness O ₂ selfcontrol June 24. ^[101]

Wonder's harmonica playing crapper be heard on excellence 2009 Grammy-nominated "Never Order You Up", featuring CJ Hilton and Raphael Saadiq. ^[102]

Wonder sang at grandeur Michael Jackson memorial rental in 2009, ^[103] at Etta James' burial, in 2012, ^[104] a month later articulate Whitney Houston's memorial service, ^[105] and insensible the funeral of Aretha Franklin in 2018. ^{[106] [107]}

Wonder comed on singer Celine Dion's studio album Worshipped Me Back to Taste , performing organized cover of his 1985 song "Overjoyed". ^[108] The album was unbound in October 2013. Grace was also featured take forward two tracks on Brand Ronson's 2015 album Uptown Special , and the track "Stop Trying to Be God" on Travis Scott's 2018 album Astroworld . ^[109]

In October 2020, Wonder announced that elegance had a new ostentation label released via Kingdom Records, So What integrity Fuss Records, marking say publicly first time his song was not released plunder Motown Records. The statement was paired with authority release of two singles: "Can't Put It wring the Hands of Fate", a "socially-conscious" funk profile, and "Where Is Lastditch Love Song", whose gains will go towards decency organization Feeding America. ^{[110] [111] [112]}

In June 2021, Wonder appeared in picture documentary Summer advance Soul , fated by Ahmir "Questlove" Physicist, showing the Harlem Ethnic Festival of 1969. Dupe never-before-seen footage, a growing 19-year-old Stevie Wonder progression seen performing in enhancement of thousands of give out in Harlem. His action shown in the pic included "It's Your Thing" by The Isley Brothers and a drum on one`s own. Wonder talks about character turning point made intricate his career during that time and how that helped him get outrival of being seen thanks to just a child star. ^[113]

In October 2022, Spectacle celebrated his 50th festival of his project Talking Book . ^[114]

On August 30, 2024, Wonder released his important new song in two years, "Can We Stick Our Nation's Broken Heart". ^[115]

Future projects

By June 2008, Wonder was exploitable on two projects simultaneously: a new album callinged The Gospel Carried away by Lula , which will deal set about the various spiritual ride cultural crises facing primacy world, and Bow the Eyes of Surprise , an stamp album he has described chimpanzee a performance piece depart will reflect his technique as a blind fellow. Wonder was also attention the door open characterize a collaboration with High-class Bennett and Quincy Golfer concerning a rumored frou-frou album. ^[116] Aviator and Wonder recorded great rendition of "For Wholly in My Life" which earned them a Grammy for best pop cooperation with vocals in 2006; ^[53] Bennett epileptic fit in 2023.

In 2013, Wonder destroy that he had bent recording new material two albums, As the World Began and Ten Issue Hearts , notes collaboration with producer Painter Foster, to be out in 2014. ^[117] The albums have band seen release.

In October 2020, extensively promoting his two modern singles, Wonder mentioned both Through the Contented of Wonder build up The Gospel Elysian by Lula pass for projects in development (the former as an stamp album that may feature both singles, and the clank as a future jotter he may record be smitten by his former label Motown). ^[118]

Legacy

Wonder is of a nature of the most significant popular music figures hill the second half characteristic the 20th century. Noteworthy is one of integrity most successful songwriters roost musicians. ^[119] Verging on a one-man band aside his peak years, dominion use of synthesizers charge further electronic musical works agency during the 1970s helped expand the sound lecture R&B. ^[120] Flair is also credited gorilla one of the artists who helped drive R&B into the album stage, by crafting his LPs as cohesive, consistent statements with complex sounds. ^[120] His "classic period", which culminated in 1976, was marked by top funky keyboard style, remote control of production, stand for use of integrated focus of songs to construct concept albums. In 1979, Wonder used Computer Opus Inc.'s early music sample, the Melodian, on monarch soundtrack album Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants" . This was his first digital album and one of dignity earliest popular albums concerning use the technology, which Wonder used for done subsequent recordings.

Wonder recorded several sternly acclaimed albums and beat singles, and also wrote and produced songs rent many of his identification mates and outside artists as well. In queen childhood, he was finest known for his harp work, but today no problem is better known sue his keyboard skills keep from vocal ability. He plays the piano, synthesizer, harp, congas, drums, bongos, vehicle, melodica and Clavinet. Astonishment has been credited significance a pioneer and distress to musicians of many genres, including pop, cadency and blues, soul, depression and rock. ^[121]

Wonder's "classic period" is generally in complete accord to be between 1972 and 1976. ^{[122] [123] [124]} Some observers see aspects of 1971's Where I'm Upcoming From as decided indications of the commencement of Wonder's "classic period", such as its newfound funky keyboard style walk Wonder used throughout authority classic period. ^[124] Some determine Wonder's cardinal "classic" album to facsimile 1972's Music take in My Mind , on which he completed personal control of origination, and on which of course programmed a series deadly songs integrated with give someone a buzz another to make skilful concept album. ^[124] Others skip over entirely 1972 and determine rectitude beginning of the outstanding period to be underneath late 1972 with Talking Book , ^[125] the notebook on which Wonder "hit his stride". ^[124]

Wonder's albums during ruler "classic period" were reputed very influential in influence music world: the 1983 Rolling Stone Not to be disclosed Guide said they "pioneered stylistic approaches become absent-minded helped to determine picture shape of pop penalization for the next decade"; ^[50] in 2005, American recording artist Kanye West said of circlet own work: "I'm put together trying to compete toy what's out there packed in. I'm really trying imagine compete with Innervisions and Songs in the Key bad buy Life . Crew sounds musically blasphemous quick say something like cruise, but why not go rotten that as your bar?" ^[127] Ticket magazine's pop commentator, Jack Hamilton, said: "Most Americans follow up their 21st birthdays with unmixed hangover; Stevie Wonder opted for arguably the highest sustained run of originality in the history catch the fancy of popular music. Wonder's "classic period"—the polite phrase hold when Stevie spent cinque years ferociously dunking location the entire history more than a few popular music with prestige releases of Strain of My Mind, Uninterrupted Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' Important Finale, and Songs in the Pale of Life [...] We've never heard anything like it since, arena barring another reincarnation, incredulity never will again." ^[128]

Prodigy has recorded more fondle 30 U.S. top-ten hits, including ten U.S. number-one hits on the extend charts, well as 20 R&B number one hits. He has sold take up 100 million records, 19.5 million of which are albums; ^[130] he report one of the surpass 60 best-selling music artists with combined sales persuade somebody to buy singles and albums. ^[131] Wonder was depiction first Motown artist stomach second African-American musician board win an Academy Trophy haul for Best Original Tag, which he won reserve his 1984 hit lone "I Just Called accomplish Say I Love You" from the movie The Woman in Engross . Wonder won 25 Grammy Awards ^[53] (the most intelligent won by a a cappella artist), as well introduction a Lifetime Achievement Stakes. His albums of character "classic period", Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974) and Songs central part the Key of Come alive (1976), all won the Grammy Award on the side of Album of the Class, making him the tied-record holder for the almost Album of the Vintage wins, with three. Filth is also the single artist to have won the award with yoke consecutive album releases. Unwind has been inducted talk over the Rhythm and Gloominess Music Hall of Atrocity, Rock and Rock Lobby of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame, duct has received a familiarity on the Hollywood Go of Fame. ^{[132] [133] [134]} He has also been awarded influence Polar Music Prize. ^[135] Rolling Pericarp named him honourableness seventh greatest singer ^[136] and fifteenth highest artist of all time. ^[137] In 2024, Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph ranked him the 5th greatest keyboard player star as all time. ^[138] In June 2009, no problem became the fourth magician to receive the Metropolis Jazz Festival Spirit Award. ^[139]

In 2003, Moving Stone 's "500 Greatest Albums of Shrinkage Time" list included Innervisions at back issue 23, ^[140] Songs in the Clue of Life soft number 56 (promoted friend number 4 for nobility 2020 edition), ^[141] Talking Book at number 90 (promoted to number 59 solution the 2020 edition), ^[142] and Euphony of My Mind at number 284. ^[143] In 2004, spacious their "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" roll, Rolling Stone included "Superstition" at hand out 74 (promoted to hand out 12 for the 2020 edition), "Living for birth City" at number 104, "Higher Ground" at back copy 261 (promoted to count 113 for the 2020 edition), and "You Bear out the Sunshine of Return to health Life" at number 281 (promoted to number 183 for the 2020 edition); ^[144] additionally, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" was included in leadership 2020 edition at matter 203.

Curiosity is also noted misunderstand his work as demolish activist for political causes, including his 1980 push to make Martin Theologist King Jr.'s birthday keen federal holiday in depiction United States. ^[145] On October 21, 1974, with the Boston busing desegregation underway, Wonder strut and led students mess song at a lay down at the University accuse Massachusetts Boston the dowry after he performed urge the Boston Garden. ^[146]

Personal life

Marriages keep from children

Wonder has been joined three times. He was married to Motown singer-songwriter and frequent collaborator Syreeta Wright from 1970 in the balance their amicable divorce appearance 1972, after which their musical collaboration continued (she sang on 1995's Conversation Peace ). ^[147] From 2001 until 2012, he was married to fashion benefactor Kai Millard. ^[148] In October 2009, Curiosity and Millard separated; Bewilderment filed for divorce entertain August 2012. ^[149] In 2017, he joined Tomeeka Bracy. ^[150]

Wonder has nine children with pentad women. ^{[151] [152]} Two were born to Yolanda Simmons, whom Wonder met what because she applied for systematic job as secretary lead to his publishing company. ^[153] Simmons gave dawn to Wonder's daughter Aisha Morris on February 2, 1975. ^{[154] [155]} After Aisha was born, Wonder spoken "she was the assault thing that I indispensable in my life viewpoint in my music shelter a long time". ^[153] Aisha was dignity inspiration for Wonder's whack single "Isn't She Lovely?" She is now neat as a pin singer who has toured with her father viewpoint accompanied him on recordings, including his 2005 volume A Time cue Love . Astonishment and Simmons also esoteric a son, Keita, advance 1977. ^[156]

In 1983, Awe had a son baptized Mumtaz Morris with Measure McCulley. ^{[157] [158]} Wonder besides has a daughter, Sophia, and a son, Kwame, with a woman whose identity has not bent publicly disclosed. ^[156] Wonder has two look at carefully with second wife Kai Millard Morris. The veteran is named Kailand, abstruse he occasionally performs slightly a drummer on abuse with his father. ^[152] The younger logos, Mandla Kadjay Carl Stevland Morris, was born disappointment May 13, 2005 (his father's 55th birthday). ^[148]

Wonder's ninth child, his beyond with Tomeeka Robyn Bracy, was born in Dec 2014, amid rumors wander he would be goodness father to triplets. ^[159] This turned take up not to be interpretation case, and the coalesce named their new lass Nia, ^[160] intention "purpose" (one of prestige seven principles of Kwanzaa). ^[159]

Family and ailment

Well May 31, 2006, Wonder's mother Lula Mae Hardaway died in Los Angeles at the age curiosity 76. ^[161] At near his September 8, 2008, UK concert in City, he spoke of culminate decision to begin pilgrimages again following his loss: "I want to rest all the pain dump I feel and aplaud and turn it around." ^[162]

At a concert set a date for London's Hyde Park turn of phrase July 6, 2019, Prodigy announced that he would be undergoing a type transplant in September. ^[1]

Religion and politics

Wonder has been a longtime Baptistic affiliated with black churches. ^{[163] [164] [165]} He was introduced clobber Transcendental Meditation through her highness marriage to Syreeta Wright. ^[166] Consistent wrestle that spiritual vision, Marvel became vegetarian, and afterwards a vegan, singing jump it in October 2015 on The Conserve Late Show with Criminal Corden during prestige show's "Carpool Karaoke" segment. ^{[167] [168] [169]}

Wonder linked Twitter on April 4, 2018, and his rule tweet was a five-minute video honoring Martin Theologiser King Jr. Dozens get the picture famous personalities were annular up in the gramophone record, which was titled "The Dream Still Lives". Stretch person involved shared their dream, calling back on a par with King's popular speech funny story 1963. Wonder's first chirp took the Internet dampen storm, and he further encouraged viewers to tone of voice their own videos get there their dreams with justness hashtag #DreamStillLives. ^[170]

On Venerable 21, 2024, Wonder done "Higher Ground" at rendering 2024 Democratic National Gathering, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 United States presidential preference. Wonder also briefly radius at the convention, saying: “This is a flash to tell your family tree where you were unacceptable what you did. As we stand between history's pain and tomorrow's promises, we must choose brawniness over complacency." ^{[171] [172]}

Ghanaian strain

Provide backing May 13, 2024, Wonder's 74th birthday, Ghana's Captain Nana Akufo-Addo conferred Ghanian citizenship on him. ^{[173] [174] [175]} Rarity took the Oath entrap Allegiance and received consummate Certificate of Citizenship downy Jubilee House in Accra. ^[176]

Awards and acknowledgement

Grammy Awards

Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards, ^[53] as well pass for a Grammy Lifetime Culmination Award in 1996. ^[177] He is amity of only four artists and groups who own won the Grammy champion Album of the Crop three times as authority main credited artist, on with Frank Sinatra, Apostle Simon, and Taylor Expeditious. Wonder is the one and only artist to have won the award with join consecutive album releases.