Stevie Wonder
- Born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, Stevie Wonder became blind shortly after birth due to a condition called retinopathy of prematurity.
- By age 8, he had taught himself to play multiple instruments, including piano, harmonica, and drums.
- Discovered at 11 by Ronnie White of The Miracles, he signed with Motown Records in 1961 and was dubbed “Little Stevie Wonder.”
- At 13, his live recording of “Fingertips (Part 2)” became the first live performance to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- In the 1970s, he pioneered the use of synthesizers in R&B, producing acclaimed albums like Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life.
- The iconic song “Superstition” was initially written for guitarist Jeff Beck, but Motown’s Berry Gordy urged Wonder to release it himself.
- He has won 25 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
- Wonder played a significant role in advocating for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday to become a national holiday, even releasing the song “Happy Birthday” to promote the cause.
- In 2014, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.
- Even in recent years, Wonder remains active in music and social causes, celebrating milestones like the 40th anniversary of Songs in the Key of Life with a dedicated tour.