Post by Diamond Girl on May 27, 2007 14:18:45 GMT -5
STEVIE WONDER - MUSICAL GENIUS
By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS
May 14, 2007 -- The child prodigy became a sensation at the age of 12. The super-talented singer, songwriter and producer is one of the world's greatest musicians.
Steveland Morris was born on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Mich. The baby was placed in an incubator after birth, but was given too much oxygen, causing his permanent blindness.
His mother, Lula Mae Hardaway, was afraid to let her son out of the house. The little boy began playing the harmonica at the age of 5, the piano at 6 and the drums at 7. He used anything he could get his hands on to keep the beat with the songs he heard on the radio.
Steveland started performing at his local church, and quickly earned a reputation for his musical talent. Ronnie White of the musical group The Miracles took him to see Berry Gordy, who was the head of famed Motown Records, after hearing the child play the harmonica. Gordy quickly signed young Steveland to the Tamlu label and changed his name to Little Stevie Wonder. Stevie's first album was titled “Little Stevie Wonder - the 12 Year Old Genius.” The single “Fingertips” went on to the top of the charts.
Stevie began studying classical piano at the Michigan School for the Blind, and began recording other hit songs, including “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and “For Once in My Life.”
When Wonder turned 21, he did not re-sign with Motown. Instead, he used his earnings to start his own publishing company and recording studio, where he made “Where I'm Coming From” and “Music of My Mind.” He played most of the instruments himself on each song.
Eventually, he did re-sign with Motown - negotiating a contract that gave him more artistic control, plus a greater percentage of the royalties, unheard of at the time.
In 1972, Wonder opened for the Rolling Stones, which introduced him to a different audience and helped make hits of his songs “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.”
But Wonder suffered bad times during this period. He divorced his wife and business partner, Syretta Wright, and he was involved in a serious car crash, which left him in a coma for four days. He also lost his sense of smell.
In the latter part of 1972, Wonder began recording a string of great albums that included “Talking Book,” “Innervisions” and “Fulfillingness First Finale.” He swept the Grammy Awards, winning Best Album, Best Song and Best Male Vocal, but there was greater music still to come.
Wonder's 1976 album “Songs in the Key of Life” is a bona-fide masterpiece that includes such classics as “Village Ghetto Land,” ''Sir Duke,” “Pastime Paradise” and “Isn't She Lovely.” It's an extraordinary collection that sounds as fresh today as it did 30 years ago.
The 1980s were a commercially successful time for Wonder, but it would be hard to achieve his previous critical acclaim. He continued to make history with records like “Ebony and Ivory” - a duet with former Beatle Paul McCartney - “Overjoyed” and “That's What Friends Are For.” He picked up an Oscar in 1985 for the song “I Just Called To Say I Love You,” which he wrote for the “Woman in Red” movie soundtrack.
Wonder did not produce a bevy of hit songs during the 1990s, but continued to make important music.
Wonder has used his talent and fame to champion humanitarian causes, such as AIDS awareness and campaigns against drug use and apartheid.
Wonder was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and received a Lifetime Grammy in 1996. He is a musical genius whose life is an inspiration to others.
By JASMIN K. WILLIAMS
May 14, 2007 -- The child prodigy became a sensation at the age of 12. The super-talented singer, songwriter and producer is one of the world's greatest musicians.
Steveland Morris was born on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Mich. The baby was placed in an incubator after birth, but was given too much oxygen, causing his permanent blindness.
His mother, Lula Mae Hardaway, was afraid to let her son out of the house. The little boy began playing the harmonica at the age of 5, the piano at 6 and the drums at 7. He used anything he could get his hands on to keep the beat with the songs he heard on the radio.
Steveland started performing at his local church, and quickly earned a reputation for his musical talent. Ronnie White of the musical group The Miracles took him to see Berry Gordy, who was the head of famed Motown Records, after hearing the child play the harmonica. Gordy quickly signed young Steveland to the Tamlu label and changed his name to Little Stevie Wonder. Stevie's first album was titled “Little Stevie Wonder - the 12 Year Old Genius.” The single “Fingertips” went on to the top of the charts.
Stevie began studying classical piano at the Michigan School for the Blind, and began recording other hit songs, including “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and “For Once in My Life.”
When Wonder turned 21, he did not re-sign with Motown. Instead, he used his earnings to start his own publishing company and recording studio, where he made “Where I'm Coming From” and “Music of My Mind.” He played most of the instruments himself on each song.
Eventually, he did re-sign with Motown - negotiating a contract that gave him more artistic control, plus a greater percentage of the royalties, unheard of at the time.
In 1972, Wonder opened for the Rolling Stones, which introduced him to a different audience and helped make hits of his songs “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.”
But Wonder suffered bad times during this period. He divorced his wife and business partner, Syretta Wright, and he was involved in a serious car crash, which left him in a coma for four days. He also lost his sense of smell.
In the latter part of 1972, Wonder began recording a string of great albums that included “Talking Book,” “Innervisions” and “Fulfillingness First Finale.” He swept the Grammy Awards, winning Best Album, Best Song and Best Male Vocal, but there was greater music still to come.
Wonder's 1976 album “Songs in the Key of Life” is a bona-fide masterpiece that includes such classics as “Village Ghetto Land,” ''Sir Duke,” “Pastime Paradise” and “Isn't She Lovely.” It's an extraordinary collection that sounds as fresh today as it did 30 years ago.
The 1980s were a commercially successful time for Wonder, but it would be hard to achieve his previous critical acclaim. He continued to make history with records like “Ebony and Ivory” - a duet with former Beatle Paul McCartney - “Overjoyed” and “That's What Friends Are For.” He picked up an Oscar in 1985 for the song “I Just Called To Say I Love You,” which he wrote for the “Woman in Red” movie soundtrack.
Wonder did not produce a bevy of hit songs during the 1990s, but continued to make important music.
Wonder has used his talent and fame to champion humanitarian causes, such as AIDS awareness and campaigns against drug use and apartheid.
Wonder was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and received a Lifetime Grammy in 1996. He is a musical genius whose life is an inspiration to others.