Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is a renowned American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, born in Saginaw, Michigan, to Lula Mae Hardaway and raised in Detroit. He was discovered by Ronnie White of The Miracles and signed to Motown Records at the age of eleven, where he worked with producers like Berry Gordy and Clarence Paul. Stevie Wonder's music has been influenced by artists such as Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and James Brown, and he has collaborated with musicians like Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Quincy Jones. His unique sound has been recognized by the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Career

Stevie Wonder was born six weeks premature, which led to retinopathy of prematurity, causing his retinas to detach and leaving him blind. He attended the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing, Michigan, where he learned to play instruments like the piano, drums, and harmonica. Stevie Wonder's early career was managed by Ted Hull, who helped him secure a recording contract with Motown Records. He released his debut album, The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie, in 1962, which was followed by Tribute to Uncle Ray in 1962, and With a Song in My Heart in 1963. Stevie Wonder's music was influenced by artists like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong, and he has performed at venues like the Apollo Theater and Carnegie Hall.

Music Style and Influences

Stevie Wonder's music style is a unique blend of R&B, pop music, rock music, jazz, and funk, which has been influenced by artists like Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and The Supremes. He has been credited with helping to popularize the use of synthesizers and drum machines in music, and has collaborated with musicians like Herbie Hancock, George Duke, and Narada Michael Walden. Stevie Wonder's music has also been influenced by social and political issues, such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War, and he has written songs like "Living for the City", "Superstition", and "Sir Duke". His music has been recognized by organizations like the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Discography

Stevie Wonder has released 25 studio albums, including Music of My Mind in 1972, Talking Book in 1972, and Innervisions in 1973. He has also released several live albums, such as Stevie Wonder Live in 1970, and Natural Wonder in 1995. Stevie Wonder's albums have been produced by musicians like Robert Margouleff, Malcolm Cecil, and Gary Olazabal, and have featured guest appearances by artists like Jeff Beck, Billy Preston, and Syreeta Wright. His music has been released on labels like Motown Records, Tamla Records, and So What the Fuss Records, and has been distributed by companies like Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment.

Awards and Accolades

Stevie Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for Innervisions in 1974, and Song of the Year for "Sir Duke". He has also been recognized by the American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and NAACP Image Awards. Stevie Wonder was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, and has been named one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine. He has also received awards from organizations like the United Nations, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, and National Association of Black Journalists.

Personal Life

Stevie Wonder has been married three times, to Syreeta Wright from 1970 to 1972, to Kai Milla from 2001 to 2012, and to Tomeeka Robyn Bracy in 2017. He has nine children, including Aisha Morris, Keita Morris, and Mandla Kadjay Carl Stevland Morris. Stevie Wonder is a resident of Los Angeles, California, and has also lived in New York City and Detroit. He has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including the Stevie Wonder Foundation, which supports organizations like the Starkey Hearing Foundation and Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Social and Political Activism

Stevie Wonder has been an outspoken advocate for social and political causes, including the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-Apartheid Movement. He has performed at benefits for organizations like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the American Committee on Africa, and has written songs like ("Happy Birthday") to commemorate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.. Stevie Wonder has also been involved in efforts to support UNICEF, Amnesty International, and the United Service Organizations, and has performed at events like Live Aid and Live 8. His music has been recognized by the Library of Congress, which has added his songs to the National Recording Registry, and he has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.