Stevie Wonder

Who Is Stevie Wonder?

Stevie Wonder, a legendary figure in music, made his recording debut at the young age of 11. He quickly established himself as a prominent artist in the 1960s with chart-topping hits such as “Fingertips, Pt. 2,” “I Was Made to Love Her,” and “My Cherie Amour.” Throughout the subsequent decade, Wonder continued to dominate the music scene, amassing a remarkable array of No. 1 songs on both the pop and R&B charts, including classics like “Superstition,” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” and “Higher Ground.” His prolific career extended into the 1980s, yielding enduring hits such as “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and “Part-Time Lover.”

Early Life

Born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, Wonder faced significant challenges from an early age. He was born six weeks premature and suffered from retinopathy of prematurity, an eye disorder that worsened due to excessive oxygen exposure in the incubator, ultimately resulting in his blindness. Despite these obstacles, Wonder exhibited an exceptional talent for music. His musical journey began in a church choir in Detroit, Michigan, where his family relocated when he was four years old. By the age of 10, he had already mastered several instruments, including the harmonica, piano, and drums, all of which he learned to play on his own.

For further insights into his journey and the circumstances surrounding his sight loss, please refer to the detailed exploration of “How Stevie Wonder Lost His Sight.”

Motown Discovery

Stevie Wonder’s remarkable journey in the music industry began at the tender age of 11 when he was discovered by Ronnie White of the Motown band The Miracles. Following this fortuitous encounter, Wonder auditioned for Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., who promptly signed the young prodigy to a record deal.

In 1962, under the moniker “Little Stevie Wonder,” he collaborated with Motown songwriter Clarence Paul and released his debut album, The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Wonder. This instrumental album showcased the extraordinary musicianship of the young artist. That same year, he also released Tribute to Uncle Ray, a collection of covers honoring the legendary soul icon Ray Charles. Wonder garnered widespread acclaim with his live album Little Stevie Wonder: The 12 Year Old Genius, which featured the hit single “Fingertips, Pt. 2.” This song became Wonder’s first No. 1 hit, reaching the top of both the R&B and pop charts.

Songs and Albums

“Uptight (Everything’s Alright)”

Instead of resting on his early successes, Wonder tirelessly worked to enhance his musicianship and songwriting skills, even studying classical piano. By the mid-1960s, he had dropped “Little” from his stage name and released the top 5 pop single “Uptight (Everything’s Alright),” which topped the R&B charts.

“For Once In My Life”

In the following years, Wonder achieved two additional No. 1 R&B hits with his cover of Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” and the exuberant “I Was Made to Love Her,” the latter reaching No. 2 on the pop charts. His 1968 album For Once in My Life further solidified his success, featuring hit singles such as the title track, “Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day,” and “You Met Your Match,” all of which Wonder co-wrote.

“Signed, Sealed, Delivered”

In 1969, Wonder released My Cherie Amour, which included the romantic title ballad that reached the top 5 on both the pop and R&B charts, alongside the top 5 R&B hit “Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday.” His consistency as a hitmaker continued into the 1970s, with the release of Signed, Sealed, Delivered in 1970. This album featured the No. 1 R&B title track and a top 5 R&B cover of The Beatles’ “We Can Work It Out.”

The ’70s: An Acclaimed Decade

Despite the challenges of transitioning from a child star to a mature artist, Wonder’s innate talent and commitment to his craft allowed him to remain relevant. In 1971, he negotiated a groundbreaking contract with Motown that granted him significant control over his recordings and increased his royalty rates. This unprecedented concession from Gordy was crucial for Wonder’s artistic growth.

As the 1970s progressed, Wonder experienced an unparalleled creative surge. His 1971 album Where I’m Coming From featured the groovy top 10 single “If You Really Love Me,” marking the first time he held writing or co-writing credits for every track on an album. The following year’s release, Music of My Mind, included the emotionally resonant “Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You),” which became a top 20 R&B and top 40 pop single, showcasing Wonder’s pioneering work with synthesized and electronic sounds.

“Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”

Stevie Wonder’s 1972 album Talking Book produced two chart-topping hits: the lively funk anthem “Superstition” and the heartwarming ballad “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.” The latter serves as a quintessential example of Wonder’s talent for crafting romantic music, showcasing his lyrical and melodic prowess.

Innervisions

Following Talking Book, Wonder released Innervisions, a concept album rich in introspection, political commentary, and humor. The album featured two socially conscious No. 1 R&B singles, “Higher Ground” and “Living for the City,” alongside the uplifting track “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing,” which reached No. 2 on the R&B chart. All three singles enjoyed significant success on the pop charts, further solidifying Wonder’s impact on the music scene.

Fulfillingness’ First Finale

Released after a life-threatening car accident that left him in a coma, Fulfillingness’ First Finale offered a poignant blend of romance and spirituality. Notable tracks included “You Haven’t Done Nothin’,” a pointed critique of President Richard Nixon that achieved No. 1 status on both the pop and R&B charts and featured The Jackson 5. The album also contained the sultry “Boogie on Reggae Woman,” which topped the pop charts. Meanwhile, tracks like “Creepin'” and “They Won’t Go When I Go” gained later recognition through covers by Luther Vandross and George Michael.

Songs in the Key of Life

Despite an impressive body of work, many consider Songs in the Key of Life to be Wonder’s most iconic project, as well as one of the greatest albums of all time. This double album, which included an EP, explored a broad spectrum of themes, ranging from ethnic diversity and idealistic communities to tumultuous relationships and transcendent love. It featured two uptempo No. 1 singles: “Sir Duke,” a tribute to Duke Ellington, and “I Wish.” Additionally, songs like “Another Star” and “As” made their mark on the top 40, while “Isn’t She Lovely,” though not released as a single, became a radio favorite, celebrating the birth of Wonder’s daughter. During this period, he collaborated with artists such as Minnie Riperton and the band Rufus, showcasing his versatility and influence within the industry.

Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants

As the 1980s began, Wonder’s output experienced a decline in commercial success compared to his previous achievements. Nevertheless, he continued to be a significant musical force, concluding the ’70s with Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants, an avant-garde double album created for an unreleased botanical documentary. It included the top 5 pop/R&B ballad “Send One Your Love.”

Hotter Than July

In 1980, Hotter Than July marked a return to more mainstream appeal, featuring the disco-infused track “All I Do,” as well as the No. 1 R&B hit “Master Blaster (Jammin’),” a reggae tribute to Bob Marley, and the top 5 R&B country-inspired song “I Ain’t Gonna Stand for It.”

“Ebony and Ivory”

In 1982, Wonder collaborated with former Beatle Paul McCartney on “Ebony and Ivory,” a No. 1 hit in both the U.S. and U.K. that promoted racial harmony, featured on McCartney’s album Tug of War.

Original Musiquarium I

Wonder also released the greatest hits compilation Original Musiquarium I in 1982, which included the No. 1 R&B/top 5 pop single “That Girl,” along with the hits “Ribbon in the Sky” and “Do I Do,” featuring jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie.

“I Just Called to Say I Love You”

In 1984, he composed the soundtrack for the film The Woman in Red, contributing the massive No. 1 pop hit “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” which became Motown’s biggest international hit and earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

“Part-Time Lover”

His next album, In Square Circle, released in 1985, featured the groundbreaking track “Part-Time Lover,” which made history as the first song to reach No. 1 across the pop, R&B, adult contemporary, and dance charts.

Characters

In 1987, Characters showcased two more No. 1 R&B hits, “Skeletons” and “You Will Know.” The following year, Wonder was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Jungle Fever

In 1991, Wonder contributed to the soundtrack for Spike Lee’s film Jungle Fever, which included three additional top 10 R&B singles: “Gotta Have You,” “Fun Day,” and “These Three Words.”

Conversation Peace

Wonder’s 1995 release Conversation Peace featured the hit “For Your Love,” which reached the top 20 on the R&B chart and earned him two Grammy Awards in 1996, the same year he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Advocacy Work

Beyond his musical accomplishments, Wonder has consistently addressed social issues through his art and public appearances. He was instrumental in advocating for a national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a cause he celebrated in the song “Happy Birthday,” which also became a significant U.K. hit. His dedication to humanitarian efforts includes performances on charity singles like “We Are the World” and “That’s What Friends Are For,” benefiting famine relief and AIDS research, respectively.

Additionally, Wonder has been a longstanding advocate for services for the blind and disabled, earning the title of United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2009. He further demonstrated his commitment to this cause in 2013 by promising to perform a concert for negotiators working on an international treaty to improve access to literature for the visually impaired.

Honors

After a decade-long hiatus, Wonder released A Time to Love in 2005, featuring collaborations with renowned artists such as India.Arie, Paul McCartney, and Prince. He also produced the concert DVD Live At Last: A Wonder’s Summer Night in 2009. In 2014, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. The following year, Wonder received a tribute during the televised event Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life—An All-Star Grammy Salute, celebrating his enduring legacy.

Later Music

As he approached his late 60s, Wonder continued to release new music, including the Golden Globe-nominated single “Faith,” a collaboration with Ariana Grande in 2016, and the song “Future Sunny Days,” specifically written for the series finale of Scandal in 2018.

Personal Life

Wonder’s personal life has seen significant milestones, including his marriage to fellow Motown artist Syreeta Wright in 1970, which ended in divorce two years later. Together, they collaborated on several hit songs, including “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” Wright passed away in 2004 after a battle with cancer.

Wonder became a father for the first time in 1975 with his daughter Aisha, the inspiration for “Isn’t She Lovely.” He has since had additional children with various partners, including sons Keita and Mumtaz, and daughters Sophia and Kailand, among others. After marrying Karen Millard Morris in 2001 and subsequently divorcing in 2015, Wonder found love again with Tomeeka Robyn Bracy, and they wed in 2017, adding two more children to his family.