Crate Diggers: Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder

“Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision” - Stevie Wonder
(Stevie Wonder)
Stevie Wonder was born as Stevland Judkins on May 13th, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan, USA. Judkins was born 6 weeks early and as a result his retinas were detached causing blindness. His mother changed his last name to morris. Morris began playing instruments at an early age. He formed a singing partnership with a friend; calling themselves Stevie and John. In 1961 Morris auditioned to a member of the Miracles and he brought him to Motown. Berry Gordy signed Morris to his Tamla label.
(Morris (Right) and Berry Gordy (Left))
Morris was then given the name “Little Stevie Wonder”. Due to his age the label drew up a rolling five-year contract in which royalties would be held in trust until Wonder was 21. Wonder was put in the care of producer and songwriter Clarence Paul. In 1962 Wonder released 2 albums “Tribute to Uncle Ray” and “The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie”.
(Wonder in 1962)
In Wonder then joined the “Motortown Revue” and toured with other Motown artists around the country wherever Black artists would be accepted. In 1963 Wonder’s single “Fingertips” hit No. 1 on the Billboard hot 100 chart. He then became the youngest artist to ever chart.
(Wonder performing “Fingertips”)
The single also hit No. 1 on the R&B charts. In 1964 Wonder appeared in 2 movies Muscle Beach Party (1964) and Bikini Beach (1964).
(Wonder in Bikini Beach (1964))
Also in 1964 Wonder began writing songs for himself and other artists. In 1968 Wonder released an album under the name “Eivets Rednow”, the album wasn't successful. Between 1968 and 1970 Wonder released several hits including "I Was Made to Love Her", "For Once in My Life", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", "My Cherie Amour", and "Uptight”. In 1970 Wonder married Syreeta Wright.
(Wonder (Left) with Syreeta Wright (Right))
In 1972 Wonder signed a new contract with Motown and released “Music of my Mind” and “Talking Book”. From his “Talking Book” album Wonder had a No. 1 hit with “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”. Wonder also toured with the Rolling Stones the same year. Wonder also won 3 Grammy awards in 1972.
(Wonder in 1972)
Wonder appeared on Sesame Street in 1973. Also in 1973 Wonder released “Innervisions” and the singles “Higher Ground” and “Living for the City” both reached No. 1 on the R&B charts. He also won 3 more Grammys that year. Wonder was injured in a car accident and was in a coma for 4 days.
(The aftermath of Wonder’s accident)
In 1974 Wonder released “Fulfillingness' First Finale” and the single “You Haven’t Done Nothin” featuring the Jackson 5 reached No. 1 on the Pop Charts.
(Wonder (Right) and Michael Jackson (Left))
He also won 3 Grammys that year. In 1975 Wonder performed at the historic "Wonder Dream Concert" in Kingston, Jamaica.
(Wonder (Left) and Bob Marley (Right))
In 1976 Wonder released the album “Songs in the Key of Life”. The album was No. 1 on the Billboard charts for 14 straight weeks. The singles “I Wish” and “Sir Duke” hit No. 1 on R&B charts. Wonder won another 3 Grammys that year. The album ranks 57th on Rolling Stone′s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
(Wonder in 1976)
In 1979 he released “Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants”. Wonder also wrote “Let’s Get Serious” for Jermaine Jackson.
(Wonder (Right) and Jermaine Jackson (Left))
In 1980 Wonder released “Hotter Than July” which became his 1st platinum album. Also in 1980 Wonder campaigned to have Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday to become a national holiday.
(Wonder at the campaign to make Dr. King’s birthday a holiday)
In 1982 Wonder released the single “Do I Do” featuring Dizzy Gillespie and featured on the song “Ebony and Ivory” with Paul McCartney.
(Wonder (Right) with Paul McCartney (Left))
In 1984 Wonder released the album “The Woman in Red” for the movie of the same name. The single “I Just Called to Say I Love You” reached No. 1 on the Pop and R&B charts. Wonder won an academy award for the song and accepted it in the name of Nelson Mandela and was Wonder’s songs were subsequently banned from all South African radio by the Government of South Africa. In 1985 Wonder released the album “In Square Circle”. The single “Part Time Lover” hit No. 1 on the Pop Charts. Wonder also featured on the song “I Feel for You”, a cover of Prince’s song of the same name, with Chaka Khan and Melle Mel. Wonder also appeared on the song “We Are the World”.
(Wonder in the “We Are the World” music video)
In 1987 Wonder was featured on Michael Jackson’s song “Just Good Friends”. Wonder also released the album “Characters” which Michael Jackson appeared on the single “Get It”.
(Wonder (Right) and Michael Jackson (Left))
In 1991 Wonder released the album “Jungle Fever” for the movie of the same name. In 1995 Wonder released the album “Conversation Peace”. In 1996 Wonder performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics closing ceremony. In 2005 Wonder released the album “A Time to Love”. In 2009 Wonder performed at the Obama Inaugural Celebration in 2009.
(Wonder (Left) and Barack Obama (Right))
Wonder also sang at Michael Jackson’s funeral.
(Wonder performing at Michael Jackson’s funeral)
In 2012 Wonder performed at Whitney Houston’s funeral. In 2014 Wonder started his “Songs in the Key of Life Tour”.
(Wonder in 2016)
Today he turns 67 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday Stevie Wonder.

Albums by Stevie Wonder
  • “The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie” (1962)
  • “Tribute to Uncle Ray” (1962)
  • “With a Song in My Heart” (1963)
  • “Stevie at the Beach” (1964)
  • “Up-Tight” (1966)
  • “Down to Earth” (1966)
  • “I Was Made to Love Her” (1967)
  • “Someday at Christmas” (1967)
  • “Eivets Rednow” (1968)
  • “For Once in My Life” (1968)
  • “My Cherie Amour” (1969)
  • “Signed, Sealed & Delivered” (1970)
  • “Where I'm Coming From” (1971)
  • “Music of My Mind” (1972)
  • “Talking Book” (1972)
  • “Innervisions” (1973)
  • “Fulfillingness' First Finale” (1974)
  • “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976)
  • “Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants"” (1979)
  • “Hotter than July” (1980)
  • “The Woman in Red” (1984)
  • “In Square Circle” (1985)
  • “Characters” (1987)
  • “Jungle Fever” (1991)
  • “Conversation Peace” (1995)
  • “A Time to Love” (2005)

Videos of Stevie Wonder
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