Stevie Wonder
Biography
Stevland Hardaway Morris, known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer who is considered a pioneer and influence across a multitude of genres including R&B, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz. Born six weeks premature in Saginaw, Michigan, on May 13, 1950, Wonder was blinded shortly after birth due to a condition called retinopathy of prematurity, which was exacerbated by the oxygen-rich environment of his hospital incubator. He displayed a gift for music at an early age, teaching himself to play the piano, harmonica, and drums before he was 10 years old. After moving to Detroit with his family, he was discovered at age 11 by Ronnie White of The Miracles, which led to an audition with Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., who promptly signed him to the Tamla label under the name "Little Stevie Wonder".
Early Career and Breakthrough
Wonder's career took off in 1963 with the hit single "Fingertips, Pt. 2," which topped the Billboard Hot 100, making the 13-year-old the youngest solo artist to achieve this feat. As he matured, he dropped "Little" from his stage name and released a string of hits in the mid-1960s, including "Uptight (Everything's Alright)," "For Once in My Life," and "My Cherie Amour". In 1970, he married fellow Motown songwriter Syreeta Wright and began to assume more creative control over his work, co-writing hits like "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours". When his contract expired upon turning 21, he negotiated a new deal with Motown that granted him full artistic control, a pivotal moment that would lead to his most acclaimed period.
The "Classic Period"
The 1970s marked Wonder's "classic period," a time of immense creativity and critical success. This era began with albums like Music of My Mind (1972) and Talking Book (1972), the latter featuring the iconic clavinet-driven track "Superstition". His innovative use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments reshaped the sound of R&B. A string of albums, including Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974), and the ambitious double album Songs in the Key of Life (1976), each won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. This made him the only artist to win the award with three consecutive album releases. These albums addressed complex social and political themes and are considered among the greatest in popular music history.
Commercial Success and Activism
The 1980s saw Wonder achieve his highest level of fame with increased album sales and high-profile collaborations. He scored his biggest hit with "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from the 1984 film The Woman in Red, which won him an Academy Award for Best Original Song. A dedicated humanitarian, Wonder has been a vocal advocate for civil rights and social justice. He spearheaded the successful campaign to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a national holiday in the United States, with his song "Happy Birthday" from the 1980 album Hotter Than July becoming an anthem for the cause. His activism also includes work against apartheid in South Africa and raising awareness and funds for issues like AIDS, cancer, and hunger. In 2009, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
Legacy and Influence
Stevie Wonder is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. He has won 25 Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame. His pioneering use of electronic instruments and his approach to crafting albums as cohesive artistic statements have had a lasting impact on countless musicians across genres. Wonder's music is celebrated for its fusion of soul, funk, jazz, and pop, and his songs often tackle themes of love, social justice, and personal growth, solidifying his status as a musical genius and a global icon.