Stevie Wonder, who's original name is unclear, but is believed to be Steveland Judkins or Steveland Morris, was born May 13, 1950, Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. He has been blind since he was born and grew up in downtown Detroit. Stevie Wonder was an experienced musician by the age of eight. Barry Gordy Jr., president of Motown Records, gave Stevie Wonder the nickname Little Stevie Wonder - the pair were introduced by Miracle member Ronnie White - Wonder made his musical debut at the age of 12.
His unique musical style, is evident on his first song, "Fingertips (Part 2)". It was recorded in 1963 at the Regal Theater in Chicago. Fans realized he was far more talented than they initially gave him credit for by comparing him to famed Ray Charles. Audiences discovered his musical talents through his amazing ability to the piano, organ, harmonica and drums. In 1964, Wonder dropped the "Little" from his name and two years later enthusiastically announced the song "Uptight (Everything's Alright)", and as a result fans viewed him as a very attractive performer and songwriter in the world of Motown.
Over the next five years Stevie Wonder created the hit songs "I Was Made to Love Her", "My Cherie Amor" (both written by producer Henry Cosby) and "Once in My Life." In 1971 he released the album Where I Came From, and showed he not only has a wide range of musicality, but also a new perspective on his words and feelings. His 1972 release of Music Of My Mind only reinforced fans of his growing range.
Heading into the mid 1970s Stevie Wonder was greatly influenced by Marvin Gaye's Motown album What's Going On. He released Talking Book (1972), Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1974), and Songs in the Key of Life (1976). All were held in high esteem as masterpieces, and three of them won a slew of Grammy Awards, each of them being named album of the year. Some of the hit songs, among them are “Superstition,” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” “Higher Ground,” “Living for the City,” “Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing,” “Boogie On Reggae Woman,” “I Wish,” and “Sir Duke.”
Although he was only in his mid-twenties, Stevie Wonder appeared like a musical master in what was considered popular African American music of the time. His passion for music made him a beacon of knowledge for the new generation of electronic instruments. He is considered a pioneer and inspiration for rock music, his vocal wit, and the depth and sincerity of his emotional presentation emerged straight from his childhood exposure to Black Church Music. By the end of the 1970s Wonder released Stevie Wonder’s Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants.
Following the 1970s Stevie Wonder recorded music rarely and when he did, the songs did not capture the audience heart they way it once did. In 1984 he released the love ballad "I Just Called To Say I Love You" and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, and in 1999 he was awarded the Polar Music Prize for lifetime achievement by the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.
By 2005 he received a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement. In 2014 Steve Wonder received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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