Eight World Wonder,
The Irreplaceable, Remarkable

Stevie Wonder
By Kamah Alicia Scott and Donza Meagley

Today’s artists only dream about accomplishing musical history and selling a million records, like Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder (born Steyland Hardway Judkins on May 13, 1950 and later changed his name to Steyland Hardaway Morris, became a SUPER STAR, songwriter, instrumentalist, record producer, humanitarian and one of the greatest of all time. Wonder a legend has sold well over one hundred million records. Blind from birth, Stevie signed with Motown Records at the age of eleven. What followed after signing with Motown, went way above anyone’s expectations. Stevie has ten U.S. number-one hits on the pop charts, as well as R&B hits. Album sales totaling more than 100 million units.

 
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Stevie Wonder

 

 

This father, husband, and son of Motown has been creating music for decades. He has stood beside political figures, uplifted African-Americans as well as all Americans with his musical talents. To say he has a certain Jen ne Sais Quo is an understatement. Wonder plays so many instruments, such as the piano, synthesizer, harmonica, congas, drums, bass guitar, organ, clavinet, bongos and melodica. Seems like every instrument Wonder’s fingers would touch turned to gold. When he was a teen star he was know for playing the harmonica, but later on in his career. Wonder and the Keyboard became best friends.
He has proven that having what the world views as a handicap does not and will never stop him. Wonder was born with retinopathy of prematurity. He was born prematurely which was another main cause of his vision problem. Wonder was the third of six children to Calvin Judkins and Lula Mae Hardaway Morris.
Wonder, learned how to play the piano at the age of seven. Learning the piano was nothing to Wonder he became a master at it. Wonder was different from the very beginning of his early life. Wonder, said to have been discovered singing outside a street corner at the age of eleven, by a person connected to a Motown Records member…the rest is history. “That Boy’s a Wonder,” was born. Stevie Wonder has inspired artists and has worked with artists from all genres. We hear his music in movies, television shows and commercials.
 
Stevie Wonder continues to remain active and gives back. He recently appeared on television’s Extreme Home Makeover. He gave a private concert for a family that gave handicap children a home and helped their community. Stevie Wonder remains everyone’s favorites as there are truly no words that can express the way that his music moves listeners. Stevie Wonder continues and will remain a music legend.

Wonder, added another gift in his life, FAMILY. Wonder is the father of seven children from his two marriages and other relationships. His daughter Aisha Morris, was the inspiration for his hit single, “Isn’t She Lovely.” Aisha, is a singer as well, and had a chance to tour with her father. His daughter also accompanied him on recording and on his 2005 album, “ATime 2 Love. It’s a family affair, one of Wonder’s son’s occasionally performs as a drummer on stage with him. So it does appear Wonder’s musically talents were passed on to his children.

Wonder even made history with our new President Barack Obama. Wonder was personally awarded with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by President Barack Obama. Having two major figures in one room must have been incredible. Also, who can forget the song we heard during the Obama campaign, Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” Well Stevie Wonder has sealed fans for years and continues to send his audience into a frenzy with excitement. Wonder, has been a major influence to so many major musicians it would be hard to keep count. Wonder a man with untouchable talent, a man of strength.
STEVIE WONDER TRIVIA:
Do You Remember When-Top Ten on Billboards Hot 100 Chart in US and UK?
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Fingertips-Part 2
1963 (U.S. #1)
Uptight Everything’s Alright
1965 (U.S. #3)
Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday
1969 (U.S. #7, UK #2)
Best R & B Performance By A Duo Or Group with Vocals-2005
Awarded to Wonder and Beyonce
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals-2006 Awarded to Wonder and Tony Bennett
Stevie Wonder, we salute your record world musical accomplishments and look forward to enjoying your music for generations to come.
 

Video Tributes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryfRSHGYQyc

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_zBfRBVRTo

 
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Kamah Alicia Scott  Freelance Writer
www.kas.mysite.com

"Kima"  Always ask, somebody might say yes
www.myspace.com/urbanbookwriter

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