Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is one of the most successful and influential musical artists of all time, having sold over 100 million records worldwide. He has won 25 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most awarded artists in history. He has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Early Life

Stevie Wonder was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan. He was born six weeks premature and was given the name Stevland Hardaway Morris by his mother, Lula Mae Hardaway. His father, Calvin Judkins, was a carpenter and a church singer. When Stevie was four, his mother married a man named Obie Wonder, and he took his stepfather's last name.

At the age of five, Stevie began playing the harmonica and piano. He was soon discovered by Ronnie White of the Motown group The Miracles, who brought him to the attention of Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records. At the age of 11, Stevie signed with Motown and released his first single, "I Call It Pretty Music, But the Old People Call It the Blues."

Career

Stevie Wonder's career took off in the early 1960s with the release of his first album, The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie. The album featured the hit single "Fingertips," which became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of the single propelled Wonder to stardom and he soon became one of the most popular artists of the decade.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Wonder released a string of successful albums, including Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs in the Key of Life. These albums featured some of his most popular songs, such as "Superstition," "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," and "Sir Duke."

In the 1980s, Wonder continued to release successful albums, including Hotter Than July and In Square Circle. He also collaborated with other artists, such as Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney. In 1985, he released the hit single "Part-Time Lover," which became his first number one hit in the United States since "Fingertips" in 1963.

Legacy

Stevie Wonder is one of the most successful and influential musical artists of all time. He has sold over 100 million records worldwide and has won 25 Grammy Awards. He has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In addition to his musical accomplishments, Wonder has also been an advocate for social justice. He has been involved in numerous causes, including the fight against apartheid in South Africa and the campaign for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. He has also been a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Stevie Wonder's legacy will continue to live on through his music and his activism. He is an inspiration to many and will be remembered as one of the greatest musical artists of all time.