Post by Kaz ~;~ on Dec 29, 2009 10:58:50 GMT -5
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Date of Birth
13 May 1950, Saginaw, Michigan, USA
Birth Name
Stevland Hardaway Judkins
Nickname
"Little Stevie" Wonder
Height
6' 0½"
Spouse::
Kai Millard Morris (2001 - present) 2 children
Syreeta (14 September 1970 - March 1972) (divorced)
Trivia::
At age 49 he was youngest-ever recipient in the 22-year history of Kennedy Center Honors given annually for lifetime contribution to arts and culture, presented by President Bill Clinton in Wash DC, Dec. 5, 1999.
Awarded the Polar Music Prize, the Royal Swedish Academy of Music Award, in 1999.
Recorded an instrumental jazz album under the name "Eivets Rednow" ("Stevie Wonder" spelled backwards).
At the age of 17 he performed with The Jimi Hendrix Experience playing drums at the BBC. (Jammin'/I was made to love her, BBC Sessions)
Elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
His first #1 hit was the half-improvised "Fingertips - Part 2", recorded live in concert (The first live pop single to ever reach #1). It topped the Pop Music and R&B charts in 1963 when Stevie Wonder was only 12. You can the hear the musicians struggling to keep up with the young vocalist and harmonica player as he improvises rhythm and blues riffs, and at one point in the recording a musician is heard shouting "What key? What key?"
Has won 21 Grammy awards (a record for most Grammy awards)
He was voted the 15th Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone.
"Little Stevie" Wonder grew up to not very little at all, as he stands over 6' tall.
In 1988, he announced his interest in running for mayor of Detroit in the 1992 election. However, he never followed through with a campaign.
His ex-wife, Syreeta, died of breast cancer in Los Angeles on July 6, 2004.
In his acceptance speech for the Oscar for Best Song in 1984, Wonder dedicated his award to imprisoned civil rights leader Nelson Mandela. The South African government promptly banned Wonder's music from the country.
He has 7 children. The last of these, Mandla Kadjaly Carl Stevland Morris, was born May 13, 2005. He was born on his 55th birthday and is his and Kai's first child. Mandla means "Powerful/Defiant" in Zulu. Kadjaly is Swahili for "Born from God"
In addition to his being blind, he also has loss of smell due to a 1973 car crash in North Carolina from which he also has a scar.
Shortly after reaching his 21st birthday in the spring of 1971, he became the first Motown Recording artist to gain complete artistic control of his records.
Collaborated on the 1985 smash hit "We Are the World" (USA for Africa)
His 1976 song "Isn't She Lovely" (from album "Songs in the Key of Life") was dedicated to then newborn daughter Aisha whose name and "baby sounds" can be heard on the track
Joined friends Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight and Elton John on the 1986 chart-topper "That's What Friends Are For", the proceeds of which were donated to AIDS research. Also played harmonica on the recording.
Oddly enough, two other vocalists introduced his 1973 smash hit "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" (from album "Talking Book") before Wonder actually sang any lyrics. Respectively, these singers were James Gilstrap and Lani Groves.
Played harmonica on Chaka Khan's 1984 hit "I Feel For You"
Wrote "Superstition" originally for friend Jeff Beck while completing his 1973 album "Talking Book." Though Beck had actually recorded the number in 1972, Motown rush-released Wonder's cut ahead of the album, and "Superstition" became his second number one hit in January 1973
Has been blind since birth
Father of Aisha Morris, and Keita Morris.
Son of Lula Mae Hardaway.
Became the very first blind recipient of an Academy Award when his composition "I Just Called to Say I Love You" won Best Original Song from The Woman in Red (1984) soundtrack.
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983.
Wrote the tribute for Mariah Carey's endorsement in Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" (Artists & Entertainers section / Issue May 12, 2008).
Voted the ninth greatest singer of the rock era in a Rolling Stone magazine poll in 2008.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7050 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
Received the Second Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song on February 25, 2009. Selection was announced September 2008.
Friend Dizzy Gillespie played the trumpet solo on "Do I Do" from Wonder's "Musiquarium" compilation album (1982).
He was nominated for a 2010 New Jersey Hall of Fame for his services and contributions to Arts and Entertainment.
Personal Quotes::
Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision.
Before I ride with somebody who's been drinking, I'll drive myself.
I just dig audiences. That to me is the most worthwhile thing about this whole business. Just people coming to have a good time and letting me sing for them.
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