One might ask why Stevie Wonder is in a series of articles with musical jazz geniuses such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. Well, it is because he fits into the selection of what can be called “timeless music.”
On May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, MI., Calvin Judkins and Lula Mae Hardway became the parents of Stevland Hardaway Morris. Born blind, he focused on what ultimately counts and that was happiness.
At only 12 years old, he was signed with Motown. The record company marketed him as “Little” Stevie Wonder. The fictional last name derives from his peer’s perception. They were astounded by Stevie’s skills, so they said he was “a wonder.”
Only one year later (at the age of 13), Wonder landed his first chart hit, “Fingertips (Part 2).” Today, he still holds the record for the youngest musician to lead the charts.
After graduating with honors from the Michigan School for the Blind in 1968, he went to see President Richard Nixon in 1969, who presented him with the Distinguished Service Award.
His life didn’t slow down in the ’70s. After touring with The Rolling Stones in 1972, he went on to receive five Grammys in 1974 and another five in 1975, so he might have been a little disappointed in 1977, when he only received four awards.
Wonder enjoyed the ’80s just as much. They brought him not only more awards, but new friends to sing with. Amongst them Paul McCartney, (with whom he released Ebony & Ivory in 1982) as well as Elton John, Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick (with whom he released That’s What Friends Are For in 1985.)
The ’80s ended pleasurably for Wonder, with a 1989 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The ’90s started with the release of his Jungle Fever soundtrack, which made no. 1 on the R&B charts in 1991. He received two more Grammys in 1996 for For Your Love. He continues to tour and still does so in the new millennium.
Although loosing his mother Lula Mae Hardaway in 2004 wasn’t easy, he released his album, A Time To Love, just a year later.
The NAACP honored him in 2008 with their Hall of Fame Award.
Today he remains one of the most prolific artists with a total of 25 Grammys over the course of 20 albums.
