Stevie Wonder
- Music Artist
- Composer
- Actor
Born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in Saginaw, Michigan, United States, to
Calvin Judkins and Lula Mae Hardaway. Due to being born six weeks
premature, Stevie Wonder was born with a condition called retinopathy
of prematurity, which made him blind. Stevie Wonder, even with this
disability, made his landmark to be a pioneer and innovator in the
music industry.
Stevie Wonder's mother, Lula Mae Hardaway left her husband and moved
herself and her children to Detroit. Due to her leaving Lula Hardaway
Judkins changed her name to Lula Hardaway and changed Stevie's surname
to Stevland Morris. Stevland Morris growing up played various
instruments such as the piano, harmonica, drums, and bass. Stevland
Morris never played a lot of outdoor activities due to his protective
mother. Stevland Morris due to his musical talent was also strongly
apart of the church choir. Stevland Morris was originally discovered by
Gerald White who often persuaded his brother, soul singer Ronnie White
to visit the talented Stevland Morris. Ronnie White after seeing
Stevland Morris brought Stevland and his mother to MoTown Records to
visit Berry Gordy. Berry Gordy stated he was not impressed by
Stevland's singing,or drumming,bongo skills and then he played the
harmonica, which astounded Berry Gordy and Stevland Morris in 1961 at
the age of eleven signed onto MoTown Records with the stage name,
Little Stevie Wonder. The reason why Stevie Wonder had gotten that
stage name was because many people were astounded by his ability to
play numerous instruments and his ability to sing doing both at the
same time, and people called Stevie "A Little Wonder".
Stevie Wonder released his first album called,The Jazz Soul Of Little
Stevie at the age of twelve followed by an additional album, Tribute To
Uncle Ray dedicated to Ray Charles.
In 1963, Stevie Wonder released a hit-song called, Fingertips Pt(2).
The song reached number one on the Billboard Pop Charts. Stevie Wonder
became the first singer to have a number one album and single
simultaneously. In the song were several percussion instruments played
by Stevie Wonder and this song was added to the album,Recorded Live:
The Twelve Year Old Genius. Stevie Wonder was then referred to as the
child prodigy. Stevie Wonder in 1964 made in film debut in the movie,
Muscle Beach Party as well as the sequel Bikini Beach both directed by
William Asher. In this movie Stevie Wonder shows off his musical talent
singing the songs, Happy Street and Happy Feeling (Dance And Shout).
Stevie Wonder also dropped "Little" from this stage name as his voice
started to change and he could no longer sing songs which Clarence Paul
had written for him, as they were all written in a higher pitched note.
Stevie Wonder then started focusing more on songwriting and came out
with genuine hits like Uptight (Everything's Alright),With A Child's
Heart, Blowing In The Wind, and a song which he wrote for Smokey
Robinson and The Miracles, Tears Of A Clown. Several other songs which
were smashing hits in the 60's and 70's were I Was Made To Love Her,
Signed Sealed And Delivered I'm Yours, which Stevie stated was an idea
he had gotten from his mother,and For Once In My Life.
In 1970 Stevie Wonder left MoTown and recorded two independent albums
by himself. Berry Gordy was shocked to hear this by Stevie Wonder and
Berry Gord agreed to Stevie Wonder's demand of more independence and
full creative control and rights to all his songs. In 1972 Stevie
Wonder returned to MoTown records and signed a thirteen million dollar
contract with MoTown Records. This entitled Stevie Wonder to a higher
royalty rate and more full creative control and the rights to his own
songs, which few artists had gotten at that time period. This contract
unleashed Wonder's songs to now talk about controversial issues such as
poverty,war,drugs, and politics.Stevie is known for writing and
performing political songs such as, You Haven't Done Nothing, which
took a political stab at Richard Nixon. The first album he had released
with his new agreement with MoTown was, Music Of My Mind in 1972. In
late 1972 Stevie Wonder released an album which today is known as a
historic piece in music,Talking Book. Which included the number one
hit-song, Superstition. This song featured the clavinet which Stevie
Wonder was credited pioneer of, he later used the electric amplified
keyboard instrument in many of his other albums along with the
synthesizer. The song Superstition was seen as a significant
contribution to the Funk genre. Talking Book also featured, You Are The
Sunshine Of My Life which also peaked at number one. Stevie Wonder also
toured with The Rolling Stones in 1972 which contributed to his album's
success. Stevie Wonder struck a controversial issue with the album,
Innervisions in 1973 with singles such as Living For The City which
talked about poverty and was credited to African Americans.The album
also included singles such as Golden Lady, and All Love Is Fair.
On August,6, 1973 Stevie Wonder was in a car accident. The twenty-three
year old Stevie Wonder was in the passenger seat of a 1948 Dodge
Flatbed Truck,he was sleeping and had his headphones on, the driver
distracted by something, and failed to notice the truck ahead of them
and crashed. This sent Stevie Wonder into a coma for several days. In a
biography entitled, The Miraculous Journey Of Lula Mae Hardaway she
retells the story, "There was a great, grinding screech as metal hit
metal and, then, impossibly, as if in some lavishly produced Hollywood
action movie, one of the great logs disencumbered itself of the truck
and came crashing through the windshield, spearing Stevie square in the
forehead." Wonder was sent to a hospital immediately after the
accident, and was placed under intensive care, with what they described
a "bruise on the head" Wonder then made a successful recovery and in
1974 released Fullfillingness' First Finale and which song topped
number one on the Billboard Pop Charts was the political song, You
Haven't Done Nothing. By the age of twenty-five he was a multiple
Grammy-Award winner, winning Grammies for albums such as Talking Book,
Inner Vision, and Fullfillingness' First Finale and at the age of
twenty-five with several talent musicians he was on the verge of making
what came to be one of this most admirable masterpieces, an album
called, Songs In The Key Of Life.
The double-album, Songs In The Key Of Life was released in 1976 and the
album became the first of an American artist to debut straight at
number one where it remained for fourteen consecutive weeks. The album
contained two tracks which rose to number one on the Billboard Charts,I
Wish and Sir Duke. The album also contained an extraordinary
sentimental song about his daughter Aisha Morris called,Isn't She
Lovely". It also contained the song which focused strongly on poverty
called, Village Ghetto Land. Rolling Stones listed the album as the
56th Greatest Album Of All Time out of 500.
In 1979, Wonder released a soundtrack album called Journey Through The
Secret Life Of Plants. It was featured in the film The Secret Life Of
Plants. Wonder also wrote the song,Let's Get Serious for Jermaine
Jackson who left The Jacksons and was starting his own solo career. The
song was ranked by Billboard to be the number one rhythm and blues song
of 1980.
In 1980, Stevie Wonder released the album called Hotter Than July. On
this album was a song called Happy Birthday. That song was dedicated to
Martin Luther King Jr, and Stevie Wonder was one of the pioneers to
getting Martin Luther King Jr a national holiday. Stevie Wonder in 1985
received an Academy Award for his song, I Just Called To Say I Love in
the film, The Woman In Red. In 1986, Stevie Wonder made a guest
appearance on the hit-show The Cosby Show. It was during this episode
in which people were astounded toward what the synthesizer could really
do. In 1987 Stevie Wonder made a duet with Michael Jackson on his Bad
album with the single, Just Good Friends. In the same year Michael
Jackson did a duet on Stevie Wonder's characters album. In 1991, Stevie
Wonder recorded a soundtrack album for Spike Lee in his new movie,
Jungle Fever. The album was entitled, Jungle Fever and the hit-song on
it was entitled Jungle Fever. Other singles that came from this album
were Gotta Have You,Feeding Off The Love Of The Land,and These Three
Words. Stevie Wonder continued releasing new material throughout the
90's such as Natural Wonder, and Conversation Piece. In 1996 Stevie
Wonder's A Song In The Key Of Life album became a documentary subject,
and several of the musicians who contributed to the success of the
album had a reunion. In 1997 Stevie Wonder collaborated with Babyface
on the single, How Come How Long.
In 2000 Stevie Wonder contributed to two sound track songs for Spike
Lee's film Bamboozled. The two soundtrack songs were Misrepresented
People and Some Years Ago. In 2006, Stevie Wonder's inspiration of his
life, his mother, Lula Mae Hardaway died on May,31,2006. Stevie Wonder
then in 2007 announced his tour, A Wonder's Summer Night 13 concert
tour- this was his first in over ten years, and he states, he wants to
take all the sadness he feels,turn it around and celebrate. Stevie
Wonder in 2008 was very involved in the Presidential Campaign, and why
he thinks Obama will be a great president for America. Stevie Wonder
talked at several press conferences about Obama and why America should
vote for him. Stevie Wonder in 2009 was named the United Nations
Messenger Of Peace.On February 23,2009 Stevie Wonder received the
Gershwin Prize For Pop Music awarded to Stevie Wonder by Barack Obama.
On June,25,2009 one of his best friends,Michael Jackson had died.
Stevie Wonder attended the memorial and performed the song, Never
Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer at the Staple's Center. Stevie Wonder
recently in 2011 can be heard playing harmonica on Drake Graham's album
Take Care.
Stevie Wonder's songs have been sampled by artists such as Jon
Gibson,Red Hot Chilli Peppers,Mary J Blige and several other artists
were inspired by Stevie's musical talent. Stevie Wonder will forever be
known as a pioneer in music a philanthropist, and a messenger of peace
addressing controversies in music which very few artists did at that
time. Stevie Wonder has touched the hearts of millions through his
music and his philanthropic generosity.
Calvin Judkins and Lula Mae Hardaway. Due to being born six weeks
premature, Stevie Wonder was born with a condition called retinopathy
of prematurity, which made him blind. Stevie Wonder, even with this
disability, made his landmark to be a pioneer and innovator in the
music industry.
Stevie Wonder's mother, Lula Mae Hardaway left her husband and moved
herself and her children to Detroit. Due to her leaving Lula Hardaway
Judkins changed her name to Lula Hardaway and changed Stevie's surname
to Stevland Morris. Stevland Morris growing up played various
instruments such as the piano, harmonica, drums, and bass. Stevland
Morris never played a lot of outdoor activities due to his protective
mother. Stevland Morris due to his musical talent was also strongly
apart of the church choir. Stevland Morris was originally discovered by
Gerald White who often persuaded his brother, soul singer Ronnie White
to visit the talented Stevland Morris. Ronnie White after seeing
Stevland Morris brought Stevland and his mother to MoTown Records to
visit Berry Gordy. Berry Gordy stated he was not impressed by
Stevland's singing,or drumming,bongo skills and then he played the
harmonica, which astounded Berry Gordy and Stevland Morris in 1961 at
the age of eleven signed onto MoTown Records with the stage name,
Little Stevie Wonder. The reason why Stevie Wonder had gotten that
stage name was because many people were astounded by his ability to
play numerous instruments and his ability to sing doing both at the
same time, and people called Stevie "A Little Wonder".
Stevie Wonder released his first album called,The Jazz Soul Of Little
Stevie at the age of twelve followed by an additional album, Tribute To
Uncle Ray dedicated to Ray Charles.
In 1963, Stevie Wonder released a hit-song called, Fingertips Pt(2).
The song reached number one on the Billboard Pop Charts. Stevie Wonder
became the first singer to have a number one album and single
simultaneously. In the song were several percussion instruments played
by Stevie Wonder and this song was added to the album,Recorded Live:
The Twelve Year Old Genius. Stevie Wonder was then referred to as the
child prodigy. Stevie Wonder in 1964 made in film debut in the movie,
Muscle Beach Party as well as the sequel Bikini Beach both directed by
William Asher. In this movie Stevie Wonder shows off his musical talent
singing the songs, Happy Street and Happy Feeling (Dance And Shout).
Stevie Wonder also dropped "Little" from this stage name as his voice
started to change and he could no longer sing songs which Clarence Paul
had written for him, as they were all written in a higher pitched note.
Stevie Wonder then started focusing more on songwriting and came out
with genuine hits like Uptight (Everything's Alright),With A Child's
Heart, Blowing In The Wind, and a song which he wrote for Smokey
Robinson and The Miracles, Tears Of A Clown. Several other songs which
were smashing hits in the 60's and 70's were I Was Made To Love Her,
Signed Sealed And Delivered I'm Yours, which Stevie stated was an idea
he had gotten from his mother,and For Once In My Life.
In 1970 Stevie Wonder left MoTown and recorded two independent albums
by himself. Berry Gordy was shocked to hear this by Stevie Wonder and
Berry Gord agreed to Stevie Wonder's demand of more independence and
full creative control and rights to all his songs. In 1972 Stevie
Wonder returned to MoTown records and signed a thirteen million dollar
contract with MoTown Records. This entitled Stevie Wonder to a higher
royalty rate and more full creative control and the rights to his own
songs, which few artists had gotten at that time period. This contract
unleashed Wonder's songs to now talk about controversial issues such as
poverty,war,drugs, and politics.Stevie is known for writing and
performing political songs such as, You Haven't Done Nothing, which
took a political stab at Richard Nixon. The first album he had released
with his new agreement with MoTown was, Music Of My Mind in 1972. In
late 1972 Stevie Wonder released an album which today is known as a
historic piece in music,Talking Book. Which included the number one
hit-song, Superstition. This song featured the clavinet which Stevie
Wonder was credited pioneer of, he later used the electric amplified
keyboard instrument in many of his other albums along with the
synthesizer. The song Superstition was seen as a significant
contribution to the Funk genre. Talking Book also featured, You Are The
Sunshine Of My Life which also peaked at number one. Stevie Wonder also
toured with The Rolling Stones in 1972 which contributed to his album's
success. Stevie Wonder struck a controversial issue with the album,
Innervisions in 1973 with singles such as Living For The City which
talked about poverty and was credited to African Americans.The album
also included singles such as Golden Lady, and All Love Is Fair.
On August,6, 1973 Stevie Wonder was in a car accident. The twenty-three
year old Stevie Wonder was in the passenger seat of a 1948 Dodge
Flatbed Truck,he was sleeping and had his headphones on, the driver
distracted by something, and failed to notice the truck ahead of them
and crashed. This sent Stevie Wonder into a coma for several days. In a
biography entitled, The Miraculous Journey Of Lula Mae Hardaway she
retells the story, "There was a great, grinding screech as metal hit
metal and, then, impossibly, as if in some lavishly produced Hollywood
action movie, one of the great logs disencumbered itself of the truck
and came crashing through the windshield, spearing Stevie square in the
forehead." Wonder was sent to a hospital immediately after the
accident, and was placed under intensive care, with what they described
a "bruise on the head" Wonder then made a successful recovery and in
1974 released Fullfillingness' First Finale and which song topped
number one on the Billboard Pop Charts was the political song, You
Haven't Done Nothing. By the age of twenty-five he was a multiple
Grammy-Award winner, winning Grammies for albums such as Talking Book,
Inner Vision, and Fullfillingness' First Finale and at the age of
twenty-five with several talent musicians he was on the verge of making
what came to be one of this most admirable masterpieces, an album
called, Songs In The Key Of Life.
The double-album, Songs In The Key Of Life was released in 1976 and the
album became the first of an American artist to debut straight at
number one where it remained for fourteen consecutive weeks. The album
contained two tracks which rose to number one on the Billboard Charts,I
Wish and Sir Duke. The album also contained an extraordinary
sentimental song about his daughter Aisha Morris called,Isn't She
Lovely". It also contained the song which focused strongly on poverty
called, Village Ghetto Land. Rolling Stones listed the album as the
56th Greatest Album Of All Time out of 500.
In 1979, Wonder released a soundtrack album called Journey Through The
Secret Life Of Plants. It was featured in the film The Secret Life Of
Plants. Wonder also wrote the song,Let's Get Serious for Jermaine
Jackson who left The Jacksons and was starting his own solo career. The
song was ranked by Billboard to be the number one rhythm and blues song
of 1980.
In 1980, Stevie Wonder released the album called Hotter Than July. On
this album was a song called Happy Birthday. That song was dedicated to
Martin Luther King Jr, and Stevie Wonder was one of the pioneers to
getting Martin Luther King Jr a national holiday. Stevie Wonder in 1985
received an Academy Award for his song, I Just Called To Say I Love in
the film, The Woman In Red. In 1986, Stevie Wonder made a guest
appearance on the hit-show The Cosby Show. It was during this episode
in which people were astounded toward what the synthesizer could really
do. In 1987 Stevie Wonder made a duet with Michael Jackson on his Bad
album with the single, Just Good Friends. In the same year Michael
Jackson did a duet on Stevie Wonder's characters album. In 1991, Stevie
Wonder recorded a soundtrack album for Spike Lee in his new movie,
Jungle Fever. The album was entitled, Jungle Fever and the hit-song on
it was entitled Jungle Fever. Other singles that came from this album
were Gotta Have You,Feeding Off The Love Of The Land,and These Three
Words. Stevie Wonder continued releasing new material throughout the
90's such as Natural Wonder, and Conversation Piece. In 1996 Stevie
Wonder's A Song In The Key Of Life album became a documentary subject,
and several of the musicians who contributed to the success of the
album had a reunion. In 1997 Stevie Wonder collaborated with Babyface
on the single, How Come How Long.
In 2000 Stevie Wonder contributed to two sound track songs for Spike
Lee's film Bamboozled. The two soundtrack songs were Misrepresented
People and Some Years Ago. In 2006, Stevie Wonder's inspiration of his
life, his mother, Lula Mae Hardaway died on May,31,2006. Stevie Wonder
then in 2007 announced his tour, A Wonder's Summer Night 13 concert
tour- this was his first in over ten years, and he states, he wants to
take all the sadness he feels,turn it around and celebrate. Stevie
Wonder in 2008 was very involved in the Presidential Campaign, and why
he thinks Obama will be a great president for America. Stevie Wonder
talked at several press conferences about Obama and why America should
vote for him. Stevie Wonder in 2009 was named the United Nations
Messenger Of Peace.On February 23,2009 Stevie Wonder received the
Gershwin Prize For Pop Music awarded to Stevie Wonder by Barack Obama.
On June,25,2009 one of his best friends,Michael Jackson had died.
Stevie Wonder attended the memorial and performed the song, Never
Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer at the Staple's Center. Stevie Wonder
recently in 2011 can be heard playing harmonica on Drake Graham's album
Take Care.
Stevie Wonder's songs have been sampled by artists such as Jon
Gibson,Red Hot Chilli Peppers,Mary J Blige and several other artists
were inspired by Stevie's musical talent. Stevie Wonder will forever be
known as a pioneer in music a philanthropist, and a messenger of peace
addressing controversies in music which very few artists did at that
time. Stevie Wonder has touched the hearts of millions through his
music and his philanthropic generosity.