Famous blind musicians. Stevie Wonder - God-kissed Stevie Wonder biography personal life

Stevie Wonder is a musician of American origin, blind from birth. The founder of the classic style of soul and R'n'B. Singer with a voice range of 4 octaves, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer. 25 times became the winner of "Grammy".

The future singer was born on March 13, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan. The family brought up six children, the third of which was Stevie. The boy, who was given the name Steveland Hardaway Judkins, was born prematurely and was placed in a premature incubator. Naturally weak vision finally deteriorated after the doctors did not calculate the oxygen supply to the child.

Young Stevie Wonder with harmonica

Lula Mae Judkins, Stevie's mother, did not dwell on her son's illness, but in every way helped the boy to adapt to the world around him. Stevie learned to move independently, learned to read and write in the usual primer, in which he groped for printed letters.

In 1954, Lula Mae remarried and moved with her children from her first marriage to Detroit, changing her last name to Morris. At the age of 9, the boy was given harmonica, and then a piano appeared in the house, on which Stevie quickly learned to select familiar musical compositions and Sam Cooke. In addition to playing instruments, the boy sang in the church choir.

Music

Once, at a Sunday service, a teenager was noticed by Gerald White, brother of Ronnie White from The Miracles, and invited to audition. Soon Stevie met Motown Records founder Barry Gordy. The producer immediately gave the boy a pseudonym - Little Stevie Wonder - and signed a contract under which Stevie went on a 4-month tour. Together with the musicians of Motown, Stevie performed in 94 concerts.

At the age of 11, under the guidance of Clarence Paul, the company's producer, Stevie recorded the first hit "I Call It Pretty Music, But the Old People Call It the Blues", a year later the young musician's first album "The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie" appeared and singles "Little Water Boy" and "Contract on Love". With the beginning of concert activity, Stevie Wonder dropped out of school, but in order to get a diploma, the boy had to study at a special school for the blind on an accelerated course.

At the age of 13, Stevie lit up with the hit "Fingertips", which he performed with Marvin Gaye, the song immediately took the first lines of the pop and R "n" B charts. In the same year, the singer's live album Little Stevie Wonder the 12 Year Genius was released. Recorded Live.

In 1964, the premiere of the film "Muscle Beach Party" starring Stevie Wonder took place on the screens, a year later the musician appeared in the continuation of the franchise - the film "Bikini Beach". In addition to his work in cinema, Stevie has released a number of singles: "Pretty Little Angel", "Castles in the Sand", "Hey Harmonica Man", "Happy Street" and the album "Stevie at the Beach", which includes songs from films. The hit by Smokey Robinson from The Miracles "Tears of a Clown", which was composed by Stevie Wonder as part of his work at Motown, took first positions in the music charts.

In 1971, Stevie Wonder created the first R&B concept disc, Where I'm Coming From, which differed from previous compilations in a special way. musical style author, devoid of sentimentality. The singer not only independently wrote and arranged all the compositions for the disc, but also completely produced the album. After the release of the disc, Stevie ends his collaboration with Motown on the first contract.

Having reconsidered relations with the main star of the label, the company's president, Berry Gordy, signs a second contract with Wonder, according to which the singer receives complete creative freedom. Economic independence allows the musician to devote himself to conceptual projects. In 1972, two albums of the author appeared at once - “Music Of My Mind” and “Talking Book”, close in sound to rock.

To record songs, Stevie Wonder used a large number of instruments, including a synthesizer, which he played himself. The singer used the technique of overdubbing, which allowed him to record all the vocal parts on his own. In the texts, Stevie, in addition to romantic plots, turned to mystical, political and social topics.

In 2003, "Music Of My Mind" and "Talking Book" were ranked 284 and 90, respectively, on the magazine's "500 Greatest Music Songs of All Time" list. Rolling stone. For two musical compositions from the second collection, Stevie Wonder received three Grammy awards. At this time, the musician began to collaborate with the Rolling Stones and went on a world tour with the rockers.

Stevie Wonder and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones

The 1973 release of Innervisions won three Grammy awards, including Album of the Year, and was recognized by critics as the best disc of the musician's classical period. Pop stars Ray Charles, Red Hot Chili Peppers and others have used the songs from the collection to create cover versions.

The release of the album coincided with a car accident that involved Stevie Wonder. The singer lay in a coma for a week, after which he lost his sense of smell. After recovering, Stevie continued to make music. A year later, the artist recorded the disc "Fulfillingness" First Finale, which differs from previous records in greater introspection. The author was awarded 4 Grammy awards for creating the album.

In 1976, the album "Songs In The Key Of Life" appeared, which took 1st position in the Billboard 200 music rating and became the highest-grossing among all albums created for the creative biography of Stevie Wonder. In the 80s, the musician recorded three albums: "Hotter than July", "In Square Circle" and "Characters".

During these years, the singer begins to work closely with world pop stars,. The first clips of the singer are released: “Lately”, “Happy Birthday”, “That Girl”, “I Just Called to Say I Love You”, “Love Light in Flight”, “You Will Know”, “Free”, “Funday” .

In 1987, the British singer creates the hit "Fragile" after the scandalous murder of engineer Ben Linder, who worked at a hydroelectric power station in South America, by militants of the Contras group in Nicaragua, which was supported by the American government.

The release of the song went unnoticed, but in 2001 the composition found a second life after the tragedy of September 11, 2001, when American musician Stevie Wonder joined Sting. The video of the concert, where two stars performed, has collected 5.6 million views on YouTube hosting.

For almost 20 years, Stevie Wonder has retired from concert activity, regularly reissuing collections with the best compositions previous years. In 2007, the artist announced a big tour "A Wonder Summer's Night" in US cities. The artist staged the tour in memory of his mother, who had died a year earlier. All proceeds from ticket sales went to charity. In 2007, the singer attended the New Wave festival in Jurmala, a year later he gave a big concert in London, which was later released in DVD format.

Personal life

Stevie Wonder has always enjoyed the attention of women and reciprocated. The musician first married in 1970 to Motown brand employee Cyrite Wright, who co-wrote Wonder's first independent album. A year later, the union broke up.

For a long time, Stevie lived in a civil marriage with Yolanda Simmons, who became the mother of the singer's first two children. After another breakup, Stevie began dating singer Melody McCully, the mother of Wonder's third child.

Soon the musician married Karen Millard. IN new family two children were born. The next muse of Stevie Wonder - model Tomik Robin Bracey - gave the singer two daughters. According to rumors, the star has two more children from her beloved, whose name is unknown to the press.

Stevie Wonder now

Now Stevie Wonder has celebrated his 67th birthday and in June legalized relations with his beloved Tomika Robin Bracey, with whom he has been living for 5 years.

The private wedding ceremony took place on June 17, 2017 in Jamaica. According to the plan, all the singer's children, as well as friends from show business, were supposed to gather at the event.

Discography

"The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie" - 1962
"Down to Earth" - 1966
"Someday at Christmas" - 1967
"My Cherie Amour" - 1960
"Music of My Mind" - 1972
"Talking Book" - 1972
"Innervisions" - 1973
"Fulfillingness' First Finale" - 1974
"Songs in the Key of Life" - 1976
"Hotter than July" - 1980
"In Square Circle" - 1985
"Conversation Peace" - 1995
"A Time to Love" - 2005

"The Eighth Wonder of the World" - this is how the famous producer Clarence Paul called the ten-year-old black boy after the first audition. At the age of 12, the young musician was recognized as a genius. But a few years before that, the parents of little Stevland Hardaway Judkins did not even let him out of the house, fearing that the blind boy would not be able to fend for himself. Steve couldn't accept the sentence of being locked up for the rest of his life.

Stevie Wonder - legendary musician - was born in May 1950 in Michigan, USA. The boy was born prematurely, very tiny, with huge dark eyes. Many years later, it turns out that in those first days of the baby's life, a fatal medical error was made, which led to complete blindness. At the same time, doctors were sure that they were doing everything to treat a typical disease of premature babies - retinopathy. Retinopathy is a non-inflammatory lesion of the retina of the eyeball, which leads to a disorder of the blood supply to the retina. The cause of the violation is the underdevelopment of blood vessels. Fifty years ago, doctors knew only one way to deal with retinopathy - the supply of oxygen to the baby's incubator. Stevie received similar treatment, but the high dose of oxygen only exacerbated the process of developing blindness. Today, the negative impact of this treatment method has already been proven. Newborn Stevie had no chance.

Stevie spent all of his early childhood at home. The baby's mother did not want him to even just play with other children, because they could offend her blind boy. At the age of 4, Stevie's parents separated, the boy stayed with his mother, who intensively set about raising her son. She taught him to read, using not only Braille, but also an ordinary children's primer. Stevie's fingers had such heightened sensitivity that he could easily distinguish the outlines of letters even in ordinary printing ink. Stevie's toys were musical instruments that his mother brought him so that he would not be bored locked up. The harmonica and the drum replaced the boy with a soccer ball and tags. But the piano turned out to be a real passion for the baby. According to Wonder, as a child, it was precisely the combination of tactile sensations with the extraction of sound that aroused his interest. The kid's idol was the black musician Ray Charles, whose blindness did not prevent him from receiving 17 Grammys and getting into the rock and roll, jazz, country and blues halls of fame. Stevie chose his path and started it in the local church choir.

Glory came to Stevie very early and very unexpectedly. The young talent was quickly noticed, Stevie was invited to audition for the producer of the then popular band The Miracles. The eleven-year-old blind musician impressed the producer so much that he immediately signed the boy's first contract with him. Stevie is the eighth wonder of the world! — said the enthusiastic producer. This pseudonym remained with the boy for life: Stevie the miracle, Stevie Wonder.

Stevie was barely 11 years old when his first record was released. She did not receive much popularity. But 2 years later, Stevie's name thundered throughout the country - the song "Fingertips", where Stevie performed as a vocalist and performer on bongos and harmonica, became a hit on the American charts. The blind black boy was recognized as a genius. It was possible to forget about life locked up in the parental home.

An amazing singing range of four octaves, the most complex technique of vocal performance, mastery of the piano, harmonica, drums, all kinds of keyboards and clarinet - it seemed that Stevie Wonder absorbed a dozen musical geniuses at once. But the young musician was not going to stop there. He wanted people to simply forget about his physical handicap, no one should even think about his blindness. In 1964, Stevie made his film debut: Wonder plays himself in the film. Less than six months later, he is back on the screen.

Stevie is no longer a little boy, no longer need to be afraid that someone will offend him. The matured "miracle" begins to work as a composer in a record company, he writes songs for his colleagues, while working on his own album of soul-jazz compositions. Soul singer, composer, arranger, drummer, pianist - by the age of 20, Stevie Wonder is already firmly on his own feet, he "sees" his path and follows it.

Personal life is also going well. Steve marries songwriter Cyrite Wright. The creative tandem becomes a family. The young wife helps Wonder produce his next album, which is destined to become a cult, conceptual, opening a new page in the work of the miracle singer. For the first time, the singer became a full-fledged producer of his own album - he himself acted as a composer and arranger. Today, years later, this album is considered a classic of soul music. On his 21st birthday, Stevie Wonder received, according to the contract, his first million dollars.

Stevie Wonder (born Stevie Wonder nee Stevland Hardaway Judkins later renamed Stevland Hardaway Morris born May 13, 1950) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, winner of 26 Grammy awards, the total circulation of his records is more than 150 million copies . Included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He became one of the musicians who determined ... Read all

Even the American press, greedy for compliments, especially when the monetary equivalent of the character under discussion is not in doubt, does not scatter the word "genius". With regard to Stevie Wonder, this term is used regularly and as a matter of course. Blind from birth musician, singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer, who dramatically expanded the universe of rhythm and blues... First you experience admiration, then all other feelings. His extraordinary flair for the texture of sound helped Stevie create vibrant, vibrant music, filled with life and feeling. Remarkably, sunny optimism and joy dominated his recordings over the years and on a variety of topics, even when he raised serious racial or political issues. Musical omnivorousness and good creative adventurism made Wonder a genre polyglot. Soul, funk, rock and roll, jazz, reggae, Broadway-style pop music and African influences harmoniously coexisted in his eclectic recordings. The man-orchestra incarnate, he learned to use synthesizers in a completely new way, reshaping the entire landscape of pop music. An elastic voice, melodic inventiveness, talent as an arranger and a love for sentimental ballads - these bricks formed a surprisingly charming image. And over the years, this charm does not fade.

He did not become Stevie Wonder immediately. On May 13, 1950, a tiny black American named Steveland Hardaway Judkins was born in Saginaw, Michigan. He was born prematurely and spent the first months of his life in an oxygen incubator. It is an excess of oxygen that explains the disease of the retina - retinopathy - which occurs in premature babies and sometimes causes loss of vision. When Steveland was four years old, the family moved to Detroit, where the brightly gifted boy soon began to sing in the church choir. His talents were not limited to singing alone. By the age of nine, he had learned to blindly play the piano, drums, and harmonica. The earth is full of rumors - and Ronnie White, a member of the Miracles band, gets to one of his home concerts with friends. It is he who arranges an audition for Stevie Gordy (Berry Gordy), the boss of the record company Motown. Possessing a professional flair, Gordy did not doubt success for a minute. Steve Morris, as he was called after his mother's second marriage, came up with the stage name Little Stevie Wonder. The word "wonder" simply stated obvious fact- there was a miracle. Teaming up with the "little miracle" was producer and composer Clarence Paul, who helped Stevie release two albums already in 1962: "A Tribute to Uncle Ray", which included cover versions of Ray Charles, the idol 12-year-old musician, and the second is "The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie", an instrumental jazz album in which he showed off his piano, harmonica and mixed percussion techniques. These records did not have any noticeable success.

But a year later, the situation has changed radically. In 1963, Motown released a long play, bluntly called "The 12 Year Old Genius" ("12-year-old genius"). The most interesting number on the album was the new extended version of the instrumental composition with the harmonica solo "Fingertips". Released as a promotional single for "Fingertips, Pt. 2" became a national hit with breakneck speed, topping both the pop and rhythm and blues charts. Such an attack on the listener bore fruit: The 12 Year Old Genius album became the first release in the history of the Motown label, which climbed to the top of the American pop chart. The owner of the hit was only 13 years old.

A few more singles launched after "Fingertips, Pt. 2", of course, could not compete in popularity with this favorite. Nothing could be done against nature - Stevie Wonder began to mutate his voice, and for several years his vocal career had to be postponed. During this time, he managed to take a classical piano course at the Michigan School for the Blind.

14-year-old Wonder, now without the prefix Little ("small"), returned to show business with an infectious dance hit - in the traditional Motown style - "Uptight (Everything's Alright)", which finished in the Top 5 pop chart and became number one on the R&B chart. The miracle happened again: Stevie not only co-wrote the melody, but also appeared as a much more mature vocalist. The audience did not disregard the next single "Nothing's Too Good for My Baby". Already at the age of 16, Wonder begins to take a serious interest in social problems. He recorded a cover of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" and a cover of "A Place in the Sun" from Ron Miller's repertoire. But since the last word in the choice of material remains with the Motown management, this new direction does not receive due approval and remains of little demand.

Then Wonder takes the first steps towards taking full control of his own career. He again co-wrote most of the new material, in particular new hits: "Hey Love", "I Was Made to Love Her" (#2 on the pop chart), "For Once in My Life" (pop hit again # 2). These singles preceded the even more ambitious 1968 album For Once in My Life. Stevie not only writes more than half of the songs himself, but also produces several tracks. In addition to those already mentioned, three more singles confidently occupied the first positions in the rhythm and blues rating: "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Da y", "You Met Your Match" and "I Don't Know Why ".

In 1969, Stevie Wonder's triumphant singles were continued by the Top 5 finalist "My Cherie Amour" (actually written three years ago) and the Top 10 finalist "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday". The 20-year-old musician is already becoming such an experienced producer that he is almost entirely responsible for the sound of the 1970 release Signed, Sealed & Delivered (Top 25 pop). He also co-wrote "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", which he co-wrote with Motown labelmate Syreeta Wright. (In September 1970, she became his wife.) His cover version of the Beatles song "We Can Work It Out" is also a great success. He is also in demand as a composer: he writes the hit song “It’s a Shame” for his label colleagues Spinners, and the song he created for the Miracles team “Tears of a Clown” turns out to be the only number one hit in the biography of this group.

1971 becomes a turning point in the career of Stevie Wonder. On May 13, he turns 21, and on the same day his contract with Motown Records expires. From now on, those material consequences of his success, which for the most part flowed past his pocket, are at his full disposal. A month before this symbolic day, Wonder published the album "Where I'm Coming From", which for the first time was produced completely independently and on which there was not a single song written without his participation (he has usually worked lately in tandem with his wife Sirita Wright ). Another important point is the absolute dominance of keyboards and synthesizers in the arrangements of all songs. This record was not the most successful commercially, with only one Top 10 single, "If You Really Love Me". But that was not the point. The LP "Where I'm Coming From" is the first attempt to create a solid high-quality R&B album, and not just collect several hits under one cover with the inevitable second-rate weight.

The artist did not immediately seek a new contract with the label, as his bosses expected, but instead spent the additional funds that appeared on him to create his own recording studio and to teach music theory. Negotiating cooperation with Motown, he could already dictate his terms. The musician negotiated a massive increase in royalties, complete control over the artistic side of his records, and founding his own label, Black Bull Music (making him the owner of the rights to his music).

Now he could not adapt to the rules dictated by the label, but listen to his own, unlike any other muse. Full of strength and new plans, the musician started a new recording at his own studio and in early 1972 presented the album "Music of My Mind". This work marked the birth of a new, mature and self-confident artist and rose to 21 positions in the pop rating. Wonder independently produced all the material, which he himself wrote, and even recorded the parts of almost all the instruments. "Music of My Mind" reflected Wonder's original vision of music in general and rhythm and blues in particular, expanding the boundaries of which he expanded with each of his releases, enriching it with innovative use of synthesizers and the introduction of new themes - social, racial and spiritual.

The success of the album coincided with the discord of the musician's family life. In 1972, his marriage to Sirita Wright was annulled, but they remained friends. Stevie helped her work on her debut album, for which he wrote several songs. That same year, Stevie Wonder embarked on a major tour for the first time, touring the United States with the Rolling Stones and introducing his work to the widest white audience.

Still, parting with his wife was not easy for him. This topic was devoted to most of his new songs, combined on the album "Talking Book" (late 1972). One of the strongest examples in the rhythm and blues genre, this disc turned Wonder into a superstar. A mature musician and sophisticated composer, Wonder filled the sound with cosmic and futuristic landscapes, which he skillfully created with the help of synthesizers, without limiting himself to one genre. His name resurfaced at the top of the charts, thanks to the rousing funk classic "Superstition" and the soft, jazzy harmonies-wrapped ballad "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" (soon to become a pop standard). These two songs made Stevie Wonder a three-time Grammy winner.

Surprisingly, his next album, Innervisions (1973), had an even greater impact. It topped the "black" album chart and hit #4 on the pop chart. This concept post dedicated to the state modern society, remains one of the most successful examples of socially preoccupied rhythm and blues. The chronicle of life in the ghetto "Living for the City" and an example of deep psychological introspection "Higher Ground" topped the R&B chart. And at the Grammy ceremony in early 1974, "Innervisions" was named album of the year (and brought Wonder three more awards - for best pop and R&B vocals and for best R&B track). Another miracle is connected with this ceremony, which once again justified his stage name. Shortly before this celebration, when the artist was driving to a concert in North Carolina, a heavy log fell on his car. Stevie suffered serious head injuries and fell into a coma. But, fortunately, he survived.

The artist's next recording, "Fulfillingness' First Finale" (1974), more restrained and introspective than its predecessor, was full of death motifs that surprised many of his fans. But even such a Wonder was not ignored, his album easily topped the American hit parade. Two tracks became clear hits: the major "Boogie On, Reggae Woman" (Tor 5 finalist) and the scathing criticism of President Richard Nixon's regime "You Haven't Done Nothin'" (a number one hit on many charts). The Grammy organizers named "Fulfillingness' First Finale" album of the year and awarded the artist a victory in three more nominations, including for the best pop and R&B vocals. Meanwhile, the musician threw himself into writing and producing his ex-wife's second album, Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta.

Over his new studio attempt, he conjured for two years. The result was worth it. Released in 1976, Songs in the Key of Life is the culmination of Wonder's creative ambitions. Its volume did not fit in any format: two long-plays and one more mini-disc (105 minutes of music in total). The musician's most expensive recording, it was touted by some as an unrivaled masterpiece, and criticized by others for pretentiousness and self-indulgence. Both sides were right in their own way. "Sir Duke" is a temperamental tribute to music in general and to Duke Ellington in particular, who passed away shortly before, and the composition "I Wish", a poem about childhood and a future Grammy winner, easily occupied the first lines of the charts. The song dedicated to her daughter, "Isn't She Lovely", eventually became a pop standard, and samples of the track "Pastime Paradise" two decades later will grace Coolio's hit "Gangsta's Paradise". As you might expect, the Songs in the Key of Life LP was named Album of the Year by the Grammys.

The album had one more important consequence - it became the pinnacle from which the decline inevitably begins, with it the most prolific and intense period in the musician's work ended. Having put so much effort, so much creative energy into this release, for the next three years, Wonder did not release a single new record.

It wasn't until 1979 that the break in discography ended with the appearance of a new record, Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants. This selection of mostly instrumental compositions was the soundtrack to a documentary that was never made. Although there were only a few songs on the album, including the hit "Send One Your Love," even Stevie Wonder's symphonic escapades delighted audiences and critics alike. The album was instantly in the top five of the pop chart.

A year later, the musician had a new studio work of a completely different kind. So that no one would have any doubts that he had gone into the jungle of the elite, he recorded the 100% pop album Hotter Than July (1980). The reggae-infused song "Master Blaster (Jammin')" brought the Wonder name back to the US Top 5. The composition "Happy Birthday" was used with great success in a widespread campaign to have Martin Luther King's birthday recognized as a national holiday. Wonder was one of the most active participants in this action. (The campaign did not succeed until Ronald Reagan came to power, and King's first birthday was celebrated on January 15, 1986. One of the central figures of the gala concert was, of course, Stevie Wonder.) From an artistic point of view, "Hotter Than July" was noticeable weaker than his releases of the mid-70s, but it was still the work of a master. And the fans were so looking forward to the return of their idol and treated everything that came out of his studio with such love that - oddly enough - it was this disc that became the first owner of a platinum certificate in his career.

In 1981, Wonder began to create a new record. Work on it dragged on for a long time, the release was postponed several times, it was rumored that the artist was exhausted and unable to return to a good creative form. However, over the past few years, the musician has had many projects in addition to his album. In 1982, his duet with Paul McCartney "Ebony and Ivory" was released, dedicated to the harmonization of interracial relations. The single became a number one hit in many countries. Soon the musician prepared a compilation of the best tracks "Original Musiquarium I", covering his releases of 1972-82. The release included four new songs, of which two became popular hits: "That Girl" and "Do I Do" (recorded with Dizzy Gillespie). In 1984, he wrote the soundtrack for Gene Wilder's comedy The Woman in Red. This work could not be called a full-fledged Stevie Wonder album, but the wonderful lyric composition "I Just Called to Say I Love You" sounded in the film. The song was destined to become the most popular and replicated hit in the musician's biography, his calling card and the stubborn leader of numerous American charts. Adored by fans and scathingly derided by critics (as too simple and even goofy), this hit nevertheless won an Oscar for Best Song from a Motion Picture.

It wasn't until 1985 that Wonder finally completed work on a new album that spanned five years. The disc "In Square Circle" appeared on sale, preceded by the single "Part Time Lover" - the last leader of the pop chart in his solo career. A few more strong songs (even if their synthesized arrangements sounded quite standard) contributed to the LP "In Square Circle" reaching a million copies. And the artist's collection of awards was replenished with another Grammy for the best R&B vocal.

The 1987 studio work "Characters", his last release in the 80s, was popular mainly with black audiences. He topped the rhythm and blues chart and spun off the hit "Skeletons". The return of the musician with a new job had to wait four years. The next release was the soundtrack to the film "Jungle Fever" directed by Spike Lee, which was released in 1991. And again, it took four whole years before a selection of new material "Conversation Peace" (1995) appeared on sale. The public reacted sluggishly to the album, but the Grammy organizers thought differently and awarded the single "For Your Love" a victory in two nominations in the rhythm and blues genre: "Best Song" and "Best Male Vocal".

It was then that rapper Coolio unexpectedly revived Wonder's old hit "Pastime Paradise" by sampling it in the high-energy rap track "Gangsta's Paradise". The single Coolio became one of the brightest bestsellers of the year. The musician perked up and in hot pursuit recorded another hit duet with Babyface "How Come, How Long" (1996).

The last album of the musician "A Time to Love" was released in 2005. The record debuted immediately at number five on the US Billboard 200. It received a lot of positive reviews from critics and reached gold status in the United States on the basis of sales.

In the summer of 2007, after a 20-year hiatus, Stevie Wonder decided to return to active musical activity, starting the American tour "A Wonder Summer's Night". It kicked off on August 23 with a concert in San Diego and played in 13 cities, ending in Boston on September 20.

Stevie Wonder is one of the most famous vocalists in the world, he was at the forefront of modern rhythm and blues and soul. Stevie Wonder is regularly called a genius, because with a vocal range of four octaves and a very complex vocal technique, he also masterfully plays the piano, any synthesizers, drum kit, clarinet and harmonica. Wonder has won 25 Grammys and has been inducted into the Composers Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Stevie Wonder was born in 1950 in the small town of Saginaw (Michigan) in a poor large family, his parents divorced when the boy was 4 years old, and his mother took him with other children to Detroit. Stevie lost his sight in infancy due to retinopathy, a disease often seen in premature babies. The blind boy spent almost all the time at home - his mother was afraid that other children would offend him. She taught Stevie to read and brought him various musical instruments, and also took him to sing in the church choir. Wonder was very fond of listening to Ray Charles, who also lost his sight in early childhood.

At the age of 11, Stevie Wonder was brought to an audition for the head of the Motown record company, who was struck by the boy's outstanding musicality. The result of this meeting was the singer's first contract, which was followed in 1962 by the recording of two albums, which, however, did not have much success.

At the age of 13, Stevie released his first real hit called "Fingertips (Pt. 2)", in which the boy not only sang, but also played the harmonica and bongos. The song hit number one on the US rhythm and blues and pop charts, and the name of Stevie Wonder began to be fixed in the minds of listeners. Soon his talent as a composer also shows up - he begins to write songs for other musicians from the Motown label, including the hit "Tears of a Clown" for The Miracles.

A conversation with Martin Luther King was the event that completely changed the fate of Stevie Wonder - he began to be interested in politics and was no longer content with the role of a well-selling musician in the hands of the label's management. The morning after Wonder's coming-of-age party, there was a letter on the desk of the head of Motown announcing the termination of all contracts. The 21-year-old left the company with $1 million in an old deal, while Motown made at least $30 million from it.

Motown quickly realized that they had lost their main star, and in 1972 a new contract was signed with Stevie Wonder - already on his terms, now the performer himself led the creative process and received the rights to all the songs. In the same year, the singer released the album "Music Of My Mind", which became a concept for soul music and opened " classical period» in the work of Wonder.

In 1973, the album "Innervisions" was released, artistic level which was simply phenomenal, and the popularity of the record grew every year - in 2003 it was on the 23rd place in the list compiled by Rolling Stone magazine of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Not only did Wonder write and sing all the songs for Innervisions, he also played most of the musical instruments.

In the late 1970s, Stevie Wonder's popularity began to decline, he continued to work hard, but the albums became noticeably weaker. In 1987, the performer stopped his concert activities and began experimenting with creating soundtracks. In 1995, rapper Coolio made a famous cover of Wonder's song "Pastime Paradise", which gave the singer strength for a new creative breakthrough. After a series of singles, he released the album "A Time to Love" in 2005, and in 2007, after a 20-year hiatus, he had a successful tour. In 2010, 140,000 people came to hear it at the Glastonbury Festival in England.

After 2005, Stevie Wonder did not release new albums, although he continues to actively participate in music festivals and engage in charitable and peacemaking activities.

Having absorbed the unique sound of the Motown label from an early age, Stevie Wonder continued the tradition of this recording studio. At first, his repertoire consisted of compositions in the genres of pop music and soul. Later, Wonder offered listeners an ambitious hybrid of Tin Pan Alley chords, R&B energy with bright splashes of jazz, reggae and African rhythms.

Stevie Wonder is an innovator in studio recording and a pioneer in the use of synthesizers. He is one of the few musicians who perform on their records the parts of almost all instruments, and doing it masterfully and naturally.

Stevie Wonder - biography, facts, photos

Wonder's songs are notable for their socially significant themes about life in the ghetto and violations of civil rights.

Wonder at Motown Studios

An active supporter of non-violent political change, a follower of Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi Wonder personifies the naive utopianism of the 60s. At the same time, the performer remained absolutely modern in his musical experiments.

Little Stevie Wonder

Stevie and Barry

The outstanding talent of Stevie Morris (real name of the musician) was one of the first to be appreciated by Ronnie White from The Miracles.

He accidentally overheard a 10-year-old blind boy playing the harmonica and introduced the young talent to the CEO and president of Motown, the legendary Barry Gordy Jr.

He, in turn, was also captivated by the talent of the child prodigy. Naming the boy Little Stevie Wonder - Stevie's Little Wonder - Gordy Jr. offered him a contract.

8 months later single Wonder Fingertips topped the R&B chart. Both on studio recordings and at concerts, young Stevie not only sang, but also played the harmonica, drums, piano and organ.

For the first 3 years in show business, the boy was presented to the public as an excellent R&B performer "in the style of Ray Charles", not least due to the fact that both musicians were blind.

Wonder epitomizes the naive utopianism of the 60s

Frame from the movie with Stevie Wonder

Movie frame Muscle Beach Party

In 1964, Stevie Wonder appears on the silver screen in the films Muscle Beach Party and its sequel Bikini Beach.

By the end of the 70s, Wonder's style became more diverse. A cover version of Dilanov's Blowin' in the Wind, an upbeat A Place in the Sun and an instrumental version of Alfie by Bert Baccarac appear in the repertoire. In 1969, the ballads My Cherie Amour and Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday reach the top of the hit parade.

Own way

Growing up, Stevie Wonder decided to take control of his career development. By the time Sealed & Delivered was released, he was actually his own producer and arranger, playing the parts of most of the instruments, and new material wrote in collaboration with his wife Cyrita Wright.

Stevie Wonder and Cyrita Wright wedding

During this period, 3 more singles were recorded: Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours, Heaven Help Us All and If You Really Love Me.

In 1971, at the age of 21, Wonder signed a new contract with Motown, which made him the first artist to have full creative control, as well as the money he had earned as a minor. True, out of the 30 million dollars earned, he got only 1 - these were the conditions of the first contract.

At the time, his songs supported the label's corporate tradition of releasing upbeat tracks that radio stations eagerly took into rotation. Nevertheless, they still differed from the main mass, standing out with socially significant topics. The lyrics were about the hardships of living in the ghetto or the violation of civil rights.

Starting with Music of My Mind, the musical palette of Wonder's albums expands significantly. The music is influenced by gospel, rock and roll, jazz, African and Latin American rhythms.

The arsenal of instruments is enriched with synthesizers, which become distinctive feature his sound.

Stevie Wonder and Mick Jagger (1972)

Thanks to a joint tour with The Rolling Stones in 1972, the audience of his fans expanded significantly. A few months later, two compositions of Wonder confidently topped the charts. These are Superstition, originally written for Jeff Beck, and You Are the Sunshine of My Life from Talking Book.

In 1972, his marriage to Cyrita Wright, which lasted only a year, broke up. The following year, he was in a serious car accident, after which he fell into a coma for 4 days.

Hits of Stevie Wonder

During the 1980s, Wonder cut back on his studio activities and toured most of his time.

Over the next 4 years, Wonder released three albums, which also included 3 top singles (You Haven't Done Nothin; I Wish; Sir Duke), each of which sold millions of copies. During this time, Wonder received 15 Grammy awards.

Numerous cover versions have been and continue to be recorded for Wonder's songs. Numerous musicians have recognized his influence on their work, from Jeff Beck to Bob Marley.

Stevie Wonder and B.B. King (1972)

Working with The Jackson Brothers, The Supremes, Minnie Ripperton, Rufus and Cyrita Wright, Wonder has established himself as a songwriter and producer.

Plate Songs in the Key of Life, released under a new contract with Motown (worth 13 million dollars), was a real manifestation of artistic maturity and power. For 14 weeks, the album established itself at the top of the charts.

Searching for a new sound

next disc, Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants, the recording of which lasted 3 years, was the soundtrack to the documentary film of the same name. The predominantly instrumental album did not generate much interest at the time. Today it may well be regarded as the forerunner of New Age music.

Hotter Than July became a kind of return to the dance spirit of the early albums, updated with modern trends like reggae and rap. It contained Master Blaster (Jammin') and Happy Birthday, the artist's plea for making Martin Luther King's birthday a national holiday.

Stevie Wonder with theater students in Harlem

In 1982, fans of Wonder's work, who had long been waiting for an album with new material, heard That Girl, Do I Do, a duet with Paul McCartney Ebony and Ivory and a retrospective of the best songs of Musiquarium.

In the 1980s, Wonder cut back on studio activity, but continued to tour.

Stevie Wonder became the first Motown artist to play in the Eastern Bloc.

Stevie Wandre and Bob Dylan

In 1982, along with Bob Dylan and Jackson Browne, Wonder took part in the Peace Sunday concert-rally at the Rose Bowl Stadium, calling for an end to the nuclear arms race.

Two years later, he received symbolic keys to Detroit, where he spent his childhood, and subsequently even thought about running for mayor of the city.

Elton John and Stevie Wonder 1973

Of the other events of the decade, it is worth noting:

Recording of the harmonica on Elton John's I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues.

Has a part in the recording of the composition We Are the World.

Oh scar for best song I Just Called to Say I Love You, featured on the soundtrack to The Woman in Red.

By dedicating the award to Nelson Mandela, Wonder so angered the South African authorities that all of his music was banned from broadcast on local radio stations.

Part-Time Lover became the first single to simultaneously top the charts in different directions - pop, R&B, disco.

Album In Square Circle, which included this track, reached number 5 on the chart and brought Wonder a Grammy in the Best Male vocal performance in R&B style.

Critics and the public favorably treated the work of Wonder. The success of these works could not be compared with the universal recognition that his records achieved in the 70s.

Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson

Thanks to duets with Michael Jackson (Get It) and Julio Iglesias (My Love), recorded in 1988, the name of Wonder was still on everyone's lips.

A year later, he was solemnly inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The list of awards has been replenished with the Grammy Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement.

In 1995, 4 years after receiving the Nelson Mandela Courage Award, he released the album Conversation Peace, which he had been working on since the late 80s.

Critical response to the 74-minute performance was mixed but generally positive. Everyone rejoiced at the very fact that Wonder returned to studio work after an 8-year break.

Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis

In 1999, Wonder performed in the Super Bowl concert program and was also among those who received the annual Kennedy Center Honors for Lifetime Achievement and Contribution to American Culture.

To the delight of fans, he appeared on the hour-long talk show Donny & Marie, where he performed several hits, mostly accompanying himself on keyboards.

Concluding the decade and century as a whole, Wonder released the four-disc box set At the Close of the Century in November 1999. On it, in chronological order, were collected his best songs for 40 years.

A time to love

In 2005, the famous musician recorded the first album with original material in more than a decade, A Time to Love.

Paul McCartney and India.Ari took part in the recording of the title track.
So What the Fuss features the guitar and vocals of the girls from En Vogue.
On How Will I Know, Wonder was joined by his daughter Aisha Morris.
The single From the Bottom of My Heart brought the musician another Grammy award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. At the awards ceremony, he performed the famous Higher Ground in a duet with Alicia Keys.

Wonder and McCartney

The same year, Wonder took part in the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia and performed a medley of his hits before the start of the Super Bowl in his native Detroit.

The following year was marked by participation in the television show American Idol, where Wonder acted as a mentor. As part of the project, each of the 12 participants performed one of his hits in front of a multi-million television audience. In 2007, the artist undertook his first concert tour in 10 years, A Wonder Summer's Night, performing first in the US and then in Europe.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, then-U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama referred to Wonder as his "musical hero", and he soon returned the compliment by speaking at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The song Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours became Obama's unofficial campaign anthem.

In January 2009, Wonder performed at the Obama inauguration ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial, as well as one of ten inaugural balls. A month later, at a special ceremony at the White House, Obama presented Wonder with the Gershwin Lifetime Achievement Award.

Barack Obama awards Stevie Wonder with the Gershwin Prize

Stevie Wonder at the White House

In 2009, the artist gave a series of spectacular performances, the first of which was the joint performance of Superstition with the Jonas Brothers at the 51st Grammy Awards. In July, Wonder took part in Michael Jackson's farewell at the Los Angeles Staples Center, performing Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer and They Won't Go When I Go.

Wonder and Sir Elton John

In his humanitarian work, Stevie Wonder focuses on:

in the fight against the spread of AIDS and apartheid,
participating in campaigns against drunk driving and drug abuse,
raising funds for blind children and children with special needs,
to help the homeless.

Translation by Ella Veselkova. Article by journalist Daniel Kreps from Rolling Stone's Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll (2001), published by Simon & Schuster.