Stevland Hardaway Morris (born May 13, 1950, as Stevland Hardaway Judkins), known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, and songwriter.
Gallery of Stevie Wonder
1960
A young Stevie Wonder playing the harmonica in the 1960s.
Gallery of Stevie Wonder
1963
London, UK
Stevie Wonder performs on the Rediffusion TV show 'Ready Steady Go!' at Television House on Kingsway in December 1963 in London. Image is part of David Redfern Premium Collection.
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1964
Stevie Wonder during rehearsals for The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.
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1965
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye around a microphone at the Motown recording studio in Detroit in 1965 in the United States.
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1965
USA
Stevie Wonder, portrait, USA, 1964.
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1966
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Peter Noone, lead singer of Herman's Hermits chats with Stevie Wonder outside the offices of Motown Records in 1966 in Detroit, Michigan.
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1967
Wonder rehearsing for a performance on Dutch TV in 1967.
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1970
Stevie Wonder circa 1970s.
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1973
Photo of David BOWIE and Stevie WONDER, David Bowie with Stevie Wonder c.1973
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1974
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder with his father, his mother Lula Mae Hardaway and his sister at the Grammy Awards in Hollywood, 2nd March 1974.
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1974
London , UK
Stevie Wonder performs live on stage at The Rainbow Theatre in London on January 31, 1974.
Gallery of Stevie Wonder
1974
London , UK
Stevie Wonder performs live on stage at The Rainbow Theatre in London on January 31, 1974.
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1980
Wembley Arena, London, England, United Kingdom
Stevie Wonder performs at Wembley Arena in London in 1980.
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2006
Wonder in 2006
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2009
Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC, United States
Stevie Wonder and Sting perform at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC.
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2009
Barack Obama presenting Wonder with the Gershwin Prize in 2009.
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2011
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
Wonder receiving a standing ovation in the East Room of the White House in 2011.
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2013
Playa Vista, California, USA
Singer Stevie Wonder performs onstage at the City Of Hope Spirit Of Life Gala Honoring Rob Light on September 19, 2013, in Playa Vista, California.
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2014
New York City, New York, USA
Singer/songwriter Stevie Wonder performs on the first night of his Songs In The Key Of Life Tour at Madison Square Garden on November 6, 2014 in New York City.
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2016
Beverly Hills, California, USA
Musician Stevie Wonder (R) and Tomeeka Robyn Bracy attend The Dinner For Equality co-hosted by Patricia Arquette and Marc Benioff on February 25, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California.
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2017
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States
Stevie Wonder attends the Stream TIDAL X: Brooklyn Benefit Concert at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on October 17, 2017 in New York.
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2017
Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, United States
Stevie Wonder backstage at the 2017 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
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2017
West Hollywood, California, United States
CEO of Republic Records Monte Lipman, actor James Corden, and Stevie Wonder at a celebration of music with Republic Records, in partnership with Absolut and Pryma, at Catch LA on February 12, 2017 in West Hollywood, California.
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Amsterdam, Netherlands
Wonder street art in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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Keita Morris, Chad Millard, Kwame Morris, Sophia Morris, Stevie Wonder, Kai Milla-Morris, Aisha Morris, Mumtaz Morris (front row) Mandala Morris, Miles Morris and Kailand Morris Stevie Wonder joined resort magnate Sol Kerzner and hundreds of guests to celebrate his 57th birthday with performances, dinner by Chef Bobby Flay at Mesa Grill and lots of love at the kick-off of the grand opening of The Cove Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.
Gallery of Stevie Wonder
Photo of Stevie WONDER; performing at Television House, Kingsway David Redfern Premium Collection.
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Paul McCartney fans can't wait until his latest album, Tug of War, is released in late April. The first single from the album, "Ebony and Ivory," will be released this week, teaming McCartney with Stevie Wonder (left). Wonder and McCartney are shown as they recorded the album last year in a series of recordings on the Carribean Island of Montserrat.
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Achievements
Membership
Awards
Medal of Freedom
2014
White House, Washington, United States
Musician Stevie Wonder celebrates as President Barack Obama awards him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Monday, November 24, 2014, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
Stevland Hardaway Morris (born May 13, 1950, as Stevland Hardaway Judkins), known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, and songwriter.
Stevie Wonder performs on the Rediffusion TV show 'Ready Steady Go!' at Television House on Kingsway in December 1963 in London. Image is part of David Redfern Premium Collection.
American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder with his father, his mother Lula Mae Hardaway and his sister at the Grammy Awards in Hollywood, 2nd March 1974.
Musician Stevie Wonder celebrates as President Barack Obama awards him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Monday, November 24, 2014, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
Singer/songwriter Stevie Wonder performs on the first night of his Songs In The Key Of Life Tour at Madison Square Garden on November 6, 2014 in New York City.
Musician Stevie Wonder (R) and Tomeeka Robyn Bracy attend The Dinner For Equality co-hosted by Patricia Arquette and Marc Benioff on February 25, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California.
CEO of Republic Records Monte Lipman, actor James Corden, and Stevie Wonder at a celebration of music with Republic Records, in partnership with Absolut and Pryma, at Catch LA on February 12, 2017 in West Hollywood, California.
Keita Morris, Chad Millard, Kwame Morris, Sophia Morris, Stevie Wonder, Kai Milla-Morris, Aisha Morris, Mumtaz Morris (front row) Mandala Morris, Miles Morris and Kailand Morris Stevie Wonder joined resort magnate Sol Kerzner and hundreds of guests to celebrate his 57th birthday with performances, dinner by Chef Bobby Flay at Mesa Grill and lots of love at the kick-off of the grand opening of The Cove Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.
Paul McCartney fans can't wait until his latest album, Tug of War, is released in late April. The first single from the album, "Ebony and Ivory," will be released this week, teaming McCartney with Stevie Wonder (left). Wonder and McCartney are shown as they recorded the album last year in a series of recordings on the Carribean Island of Montserrat.
Stevie Wonder is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He is considered to be one of the most popular and successful musical performers of the late 20th century.
Background
The performer the world knows as Stevie Wonder was born Steveland Morris was born on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan, United States. Confusion over his original surname stems from the fact that he has also called himself Judkins (after his natural father), and his two older brothers carry the name Hardaway. His father left the family early on, and he and his five siblings were raised by their mother, Lulu Mae Morris.
Though he has groused good-naturedly in adulthood at the limitations his sightlessness has placed on him, Wonder told Ritz that as a child he soothed his mother's tears by telling her that he "wasn't sad."
Education
Unable to attend a regular Detroit school while becoming a pop sensation, Wonder was sent to the Michigan School for the Blind at Motown's expense.
Stevie Wonder was just 11 years old when he was discovered by Ronnie White of the Motown band The Miracles. An audition followed with Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., who didn't hesitate to sign the young musician to a record deal. In 1962, the newly renamed Little Stevie Wonder, working with Motown songwriter Clarence Paul, among others, released his debut The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Wonder, an instrumental album that showed off the youngster's remarkable musicianship.
The same year he also released Tribute to Uncle Ray, where Wonder covered the songs of soul icon Ray Charles. Wonder then developed a major audience with Little Stevie Wonder the 12-Year-Old Genius, an album recorded live. The set's edited single "Fingertips, Pt. 2" became Wonder's first No. 1 song, reaching the top of both the R&B and pop charts.
Wonder scored two more No. 1 R&B hits with a cover of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" and the jubilant "I Was Made to Love Her," with the latter reaching No. 2 on the pop charts. The 1968 album For Once in My Life offered even more successful singles with the title track, "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day" and "You Met Your Match," with Wonder serving as co-writer on all three songs.
The following year saw the release of My Cherie Amour, with the romantic top 5 pop/R&B title ballad as well as the top 5 R&B "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday." Wonder would remain a consistent hitmaker over the next two decades, with the artist co-producing 1970's Signed, Sealed, Delivered; the album featured the No. 1 R&B title track and a top 5 R&B cover of the Beatles' "We Can Work It Out."
Due in part to innate talent, but also because of his deep commitment to his craft, Wonder faced the difficulty of staying relevant as a musician as he grew from boy to man, and his voice matured into a shining tenor. In 1971, Wonder negotiated a new contract with Motown that gave him almost total control over his records and greatly increased his royalty rate. It was an unprecedented concession by Gordy, but, artistically, just what Wonder needed.
As the 1970s unfolded, the musician went through an unrivaled period of production. 1971's Where I'm Coming From, with its groovy top 10 single "If You Really Love Me," marked the first time Wonder had writing or co-writing credits for every song on an album. 1972's Music of My Mind offered the top 20 R&B/top 40 pop single "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)," an emotionally rich jazz-soul opus that highlighted Wonder's pioneering work in synthesized/electronic sounds.
Yet these hits were just hints of what was to come. Over the course of four outstanding albums - Talking Book (1972), Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974) and Songs in the Key of Life (1976) - Wonder created some of the most indelible songs in popular music history. Talking Book offered two No. 1 hits, the jaunty funk jam "Superstition" and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," a smile-inducing ode to love that exemplified Wonder's abilities as a romanticist.
Next up was Innervisions, a meditative concept album that was simultaneously introspective, political, critical and full of wit. The record featured two socially conscious No. 1 R&B hits, "Higher Ground" and "Living for the City," as well as the humorous "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," which reached No. 2 on the R&B chart. All three singles fared well on the pop charts as well.
Fulfillingness' First Finale, released after Wonder had survived a serious car accident that left him in a coma, displayed his trademark odes to romance and beauty while also looking squarely at spirituality and death. Wonder created a song that railed against President Richard Nixon - "You Haven't Done Nothin'," which reached No. 1 on both the pop and R&B charts and featured The Jackson 5.
The sexy "Boogie on Reggae Woman" went to No. 1 on the pop chart as well, while the album tracks "Creepin'" and "They Won't Go When I Go" were eventually covered by Luther Vandross and George Michael, respectively.
Even with this array of accomplishments, it was the double album with EP set Songs in the Key of Life that many have hailed as Wonder's most legendary project and one of the greatest records of all time. Offering a rich span of songs with genre fusions aplenty, Songs covered everything from ethnic diversity in the U.S. and fantastic utopian communities to vengeful relationships and transcendent love.
Songs had two pop/R&B No. 1 singles, both uptempo: the Duke Ellington tribute "Sir Duke" and the back-in-the-day paean "I Wish." Wonder had additional top 40 hits with "Another Star" and "As," while the harmonica-laden "Isn't She Lovely," though not a charting single, nonetheless became a radio mainstay as it heralded the cherished birth of a daughter.
By those incredible lofty standards, the 1980s weren't nearly as successful for Wonder. Still, he continued to be a huge musical force. He ended the '70s with the double album Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants, an avant-garde set for an unreleased botanical documentary, featuring the top 5 pop/R&B ballad "Send One Your Love."
In 1982, Wonder teamed up with ex-Beatle Paul McCartney for the No. 1 U.S./U.K. single "Ebony and Ivory," a song promoting racial harmony that was featured on the McCartney album Tug of War. That same year, Wonder also released his greatest hits compilation Original Musiquarium I, which featured the No. 1 R&B/top 5 pop single "That Girl," as well as additional hits "Ribbon in the Sky" and "Do I Do," featuring Dizzy Gillespie.
In 1984, Wonder released the soundtrack for the Gene Wilder film The Woman in Red, which featured contributions from Dionne Warwick as well as the top 5 R&B hit "Love Light in Flight" and the massive No. 1 pop single "I Just Called to Say I Love You." Like so much of Wonder's work, the song appealed to a wide audience, paving the way for it to become Motown's biggest international hit of all time. The single also won Wonder an Academy Award for best original song.
Wonder released his next album, Square Circle, in 1985, which featured the historic track "Part-Time Lover," the first song to ever reach No. 1 on the pop, R&B, adult contemporary and dance charts. The album Characters was released two years later, featuring two No. 1 R&B hits - "Skeletons" and "You Will Know." In 1989, Wonder was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Wonder is a devout Christian whose childhood church was Baptist.
Politics
Politics is another topic Wonder doesn’t shy away from. And for the most part, Wonder thinks the world of social relations, geo-politics and governance should revolve around love and understanding. Speaking of (what some interpret as) the extreme xenophobia of the American Tea Party, Wonder said: "No Tea Party — I don’t care. You want to be a supremacist? Then be the supreme of getting people together."
He regularly speaks out against America’s wars, and his sentiments might best be summed up by the lyrics of his hit song, “Higher Ground,” where he sings: "Soldiers keep on warrin’…/Powers keep on lyin’/While your people keep on dyin’."
Views
In addition to his acclaimed artistry, Wonder has routinely tackled social issues through his music and appearances. He successfully spearheads a movement to create a national holiday recognizing the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a celebration he sang about in the track "Happy Birthday" from Hotter Than July. ("Happy Birthday" became the major United Kingdom hit as well, reaching No. 2.)
Wonder had dedicated his Oscar win to anti-apartheid activist/future president Nelson Mandela and had performed on the No. 1 charity singles "We Are the World," to raise money for famine relief in Africa, and "That's What Friends Are For," with Warwick, Elton John, and Gladys Knight, benefiting the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR).
Wonder has also been a longtime advocate for improving services for the blind and those with disabilities. In connection with the International Day of Persons With Disabilities, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2009.
Quotations:
"Movies are always a good challenge, " he told Neil Strauss of the New York Times, "because it's taking what's happening visually and, even though I'm not able to see it, getting a sense of the movie and finding a new way to work with it."
Wonder himself seemed to share this sense of his eternal newness: "I'm going to be 45, " he reflected to Ritz in Rolling Stone, "but I'm still feeling new and amazed by the world I live in."
Asked by Billboard whether he had become more activist than musician, Wonder answered: "I'm more musician. My way of expressing how I feel when I'm talking about political or social positions is better served when I do it through my music. It's not to say I can't express myself verbally. But music is the vehicle I've been given as a way to do that."
Personality
Wonder was once a vegetarian until he decided to become a vegan. He also practices transcendental meditation.
Physical Characteristics:
Wonder was born 6 weeks prematurely, due to which he had to be kept in an oxygen-rich environment. This led to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which results in a lack of eye development, leading to retinal detachment and eventual blindness. In addition to his being blind, he also has a loss of smell due to a 1973 car crash in North Carolina from which he also has a scar.
Interests
Philosophers & Thinkers
Martin Luther King
Politicians
Barack Obama
Connections
Wonder married fellow Motown singer/songwriter Syreeta Wright in 1970, divorcing two years later. A skilled lyricist, she worked with Wonder on hits like "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" and "If You Really Love Me," while he worked with Wright on her albums Syreeta (1972) and Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta (1974). Wright died of cancer in 2004.
Wonder had his first child, Aisha, with Yolanda Simmons in 1975. His daughter was the inspiration for "Isn't She Lovely." The couple had a son, Keita, who was born in 1977. In 1983, he had a son, Mumtaz, with Melody McCulley. Wonder had a daughter, Sophia, and son, Kwame, with a woman whose name has not been publicized.
Wonder married Karen Millard Morris in 2001. The couple has two sons, Kailand and Mandla, together and divorced in 2015. After their divorce, Wonder began a relationship with Tomeeka Robyn Bracy with whom he has two children.
1974 - "Superstition" - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male;
1974 - "Superstition" - Best Rhythm & Blues Song;
1974 - "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" - Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male;
1974 - Innervisions - Album of the Year;
1975 - Fulfillingness' First Finale - Album of the Year;
1975 - Fulfillingness' First Finale - Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male;
1975 - "Boogie On Reggae Woman" - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male;
1975 - "Tell Me Something Good" - Best Rhythm & Blues Song;
1977 - Stevie Wonder - Best Producer of the Year;
1977 - Songs in the Key of Life - Album of the Year;
1977 - Songs in the Key of Life - Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male;
1981 - "Master Blaster (Jammin')" - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male;
1986 - In Square Circle - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male;
1987 - "That's What Friends Are For" - Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal;
1996 - "For Your Love" - Best Male R&B Vocal Performance;
1996 - "For Your Love" - Best Rhythm & Blues Song;
1999 - "St. Louis Blues" - Best Male R&B Vocal Performance;
1999 - "St. Louis Blues" - Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s);
2003 - "Love's In Need Of Love Today" - Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal;
2006 - "So Amazing" - Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals;
2006 - "From The Bottom Of My Heart" - Best Male Pop Vocal Performance;
2007 - "For Once in My Life" - Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
1974 - "Superstition" - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male;
1974 - "Superstition" - Best Rhythm & Blues Song;
1974 - "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" - Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male;
1974 - Innervisions - Album of the Year;
1975 - Fulfillingness' First Finale - Album of the Year;
1975 - Fulfillingness' First Finale - Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male;
1975 - "Boogie On Reggae Woman" - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male;
1975 - "Tell Me Something Good" - Best Rhythm & Blues Song;
1977 - Stevie Wonder - Best Producer of the Year;
1977 - Songs in the Key of Life - Album of the Year;
1977 - Songs in the Key of Life - Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male;
1985 - The Woman in Red (1984) - Best Original Song - Motion Picture.
1985 - The Woman in Red (1984) - Best Original Song - Motion Picture.
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
1992 - Jungle Fever (1991) - Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures;
1997 - Dangerous Minds (1995) - Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures;
2000 - Wild Wild West (1999) - Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures.
1992 - Jungle Fever (1991) - Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures;
1997 - Dangerous Minds (1995) - Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures;
2000 - Wild Wild West (1999) - Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures.