Stevie Wonder
by
User:cmelgarejo @timeAndDate(1280440522)
When you think of music legends, Stevie Wonder is usually at the top of the list. Although he lost his eyesight shortly after birth, he brought fantastic music to the world, proving you can do anything despite disability. He is often sited as one of the top artists of all time. Beyond his musical prowess, Wonder is also a humanitarian and activist, often involved in charity concerts and working to raise awareness for a number of causes. He has recorded more than 30 top ten hits, so many that you'd be hard pressed to find a person who hasn't heard one of his songs.
Early Career
* At age 13, Stevie Wonder already had a hit with "Fingertips (pt 2)". He recorded vocals, bongos and harmonica.
* In 1970, he scored several hits like "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" and was truly making a name for himself.
* His "classic period" is considered 1972 to 1976, with the albums Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, Fullfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life.
* His "commercial period" was from 1979 to 1990, when he was at the height of his popularity, with television appearances, collaborations with big name artists, and even political impact. This is when hits like "Ebony and Ivory" and "Overjoyed" hit air waves.
Recent Career
* In the late 90s, Wonder was collaborating with many big artists, like Lenny Kravitz, Sting, and Babyface.
* After 10 years, Wonder released a new album in 2005, A Time to Love. At this time Stevie Wonder was making plenty of television appearances, including performing on American Idol on an episode whose contestants' performances all came from his songbook.
* In 2008, Stevie Wonder went on tour for the first time in 10 years, on the A Wonder Summer Nights Tour. His first live performance DVD was recording during a show on this tour.
Achievements
* Stevie Wonder has won 22 Grammies, the most by any solo male artist, as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
* He also won an Academy Award for the song "I Just Called To Say I Love You" from the movie The Woman in Red.
* He's been inducted into both the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
* He was the second ever recipient of the Gershwin Prize. President Obama presented the award to Stevie.
* In 2009, he was named a Messenger of Peace by the United Nations.
Top Sellers
Related Guides
*
Pop Grammy Nominees
*
Jazz Music
*
Motown Music
*
Musical Instruments
*
Romantic Music
