Photo credits: Dennis Ould/Getty Images
Stevie Wonder, a legendary performer, was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in Saginaw, Michigan, on May 13, 1950.
Despite losing his sight soon after birth, Wonder went on to become one of the most well-known African-American musical artists of all time. Over the course of his career, he has won more Grammy Awards than any other male solo artist.
Wonder earned his stage moniker as a result of his amazing skill at such a young age. When Wonder was four years old, his family relocated to Detroit, and he started singing in the church choir. Wonder joined Motown at the age of 11 and scored his first success with “Fingertips (Pt. 2)” in 1963 at the age of 13.
He struggled to move from boyhood prodigy to mature adult male solo performer in the 1970s. However, a freshly negotiated deal with Motown, which gave him more creative flexibility, allowed him to emerge as a major star. Wonder earned a total of 15 Grammy Awards throughout that decade.
“My Cherie Amour,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You” are among his best successes. Wonder was elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. President Barack Obama gave Wonder the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2009.
Wonder masterfully crafted hit songs for himself, as well as for others. He co-wrote “Can Help It,” Michael Jackson’s timeless 1979 classic from his “Off the Wall” album.
Stevie Wonder is also a humanitarian who has utilized his music to assist a lot of social issues in addition to being an award-winning musical pioneer. Wonder recorded the song “Happy Birthday” (1980) in favor of making Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a national holiday. The song was a massive success and served as a rallying cry for the King Holiday.
The first official Martin Luther King Day, the first federal holiday honoring an African-American, was observed on Monday, January 20, 1986, in cities and towns throughout the nation.
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