Stevie Wonder - African Americans, Career and Childhood
Stevie Wonder's Personal Details
Stevie Wonder is an American musician, singer and songwriter, considered to be one of the most creative musical performers of the 20th century
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | May 13, 1950 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | African American Singers, African Americans, Black Musicians, Black Singers, Musicians, Singers, Rhythm & Blues Singers, Pop Singers, Jazz Singers |
| City/State | Michigan |
| Spouses | Kai Millard Morris, Syreeta Wright |
| Known as | Stevland Hardaway Morris (legal), Little Stevie Wonder (stage) |
| Childrens | Kailand Morris |
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Birth Place | Saginaw |
| Height | 184 |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Calvin Judkins |
| Mother | Lula Mae Hardaway |
| Net Worth | $110 Million as of May 11,2017 |
| Sun Sign | Taurus |
| Born in | Saginaw |
| Famous as | Musician |
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Stevie Wonder's photo
Who is Stevie Wonder?
Stevie Wonder is an American musician, singer and songwriter, considered to be one of the most creative musical performers of the 20th century. Blind from birth, he was a child prodigy and became a skilled musician by the age of eight. After signing a contract with Motown label, he was renamed ‘Little Stevie Wonder’ and made his recording debut at the age of 12.Subsequently, he emerged as an able artist with his hit single “Fingertips” and later, his passionate delivery of the pounding single “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” confirmed the arrival of a compelling performer. In the following years, Wonder had numerous hits with several chartbusters including “I Was Made to Love Her” and “For Once in My Life”. In the 1970s, his albums produced a steady stream of classic hits such as “Superstition”, “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”, “Living for the City”, “I Wish” and ‘Sir Duke”. The 1980's saw Wonder scoring his biggest hits and reaching an unprecedented level of fame which was evident by the increased album sales, high-profile collaborations and television appearances. Throughout his career, Wonder has recorded many critically acclaimed albums and hit singles. He has 25 Grammy Awards to his name —the most ever won by a solo artist—and is considered to be among the best selling artists of all time
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Childhood & Early Life
Stevie Wonder was born on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Calvin Judkins, and his wife, Lula Mae Hardaway. He was the third of six children in the family and was born six weeks premature, which caused retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in his eyes and subsequently he lost his vision.
From an early age, he started playing musical instruments and later formed a singing partnership with a friend. The duo played on street corners, occasionally at parties and dances, calling themselves Stevie and John.
At the age of 11, Wonder sang his own composition titled “Lonely Boy” to the musician Ronnie White, co-founder of the musical group, ‘The Miracles’. Soon, he was signed to Motown's Tamla label and was given the name ‘Little Stevie Wonder’.
In 1962, the popular song “I Call It Pretty Music, But the Old People Call It the Blues” was released as his début single. The following year, his album ‘Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius’ was released which included the single “Fingertips” that went on to become a major hit.
In mid-1960s, Wonder went on to have a number of other hits such as “With a Child's Heart” and “Blowin' in the Wind”. Between 1968 and 1970, he managed to score several hits including “I Was Made to Love Her”, “For Once in My Life” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours”.
Career
In 1970, Wonder collaborated with his wife, Sylvia, and together they worked on his next album titled ‘Where I’m Coming From’. The album became a moderate success upon its release in the following year.
In March 1972, his album ‘Music of My Mind’ was released which has been marked as the beginning of Wonder’s “classic period”. Same year, he also released the album ‘Talking Book’ which featured hits such as “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”.
In the following years, he came up with several blockbuster albums such as ‘Innervisions’ (1973), ‘Fulfillingness' First Finale’ (1974), ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ (1976), and ‘Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants” (1979). With the success of these albums, Wonder became the most acclaimed black musician by the end of 1970s.
In 1980s, he achieved his biggest hits and highest level of fame with albums including ‘Hotter Than July’ (1980) and ‘Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium’(1982).
In 1984, he recorded the soundtrack album for the movie ‘The Woman in Red’ which featured the Academy Award winning song “I Just Called to Say I Love You”.
In 1987, he released his album entitled ‘Characters’ which was followed by the soundtrack album for the 1991 movie ‘Jungle Fever’.
In 1995, his album ‘Conversation Peace’ was released which consisted of hits such as “For Your Love” and “Tomorrow Robins Will Sing”.
In the new millennium, he came out with the album ‘A Time For Love’, in 2005. In the subsequent years, he toured North America and also performed on several occasions including the ‘Obama Inaugural Celebration’ in 2009.
Major Works
Among Wonder's major works are singles such as “Superstition”, “Sir Duke”, “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You”. In his long and illustrious career, he has produced many chartbuster albums including‘ Innervisions’, ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ and ‘Hotter than July’.
Awards & Achievements
Stevie Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards in his career.
In 1983, he was inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 1984, he won an Academy Award for Best Song for ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ from the movie ‘The Woman in Red’.
In 1989, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1996, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 1999, he was awarded the ‘Polar Music Prize’ and ‘Kennedy Center Honors’.
In 2002, he was conferred the ‘Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award’ by the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 2004, he was honored with the ‘Billboard Century Award’.
In 2006, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Same year, he was inducted to the Michigan Walk of Fame.
In 2009, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
In 2014, he became a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1970, Stevie Wonder married Syreeta Wright, the Motown singer/songwriter and frequent collaborator. Two years later, the couple got divorced amicably.
Later, Wonder met Yolanda Simmons when she applied for the post of his secretary for his publishing company. In 1975, Simmons gave birth to their daughter, Aisha Morris.
In 2001, he entered into a wed lock with Kai Millard Morris, a fashion designer. In 2009, the couple separated and Wonder filed for divorce in August 2012. The couple has two sons Kailand and Mandla Kadjay Carl Stevland Morris.
Later, Wonder got involved in an affair with Tomeeka Robyn Bracy. In 2014, Bracy gave birth to the couple’s second child, Nia, who is the ninth child of Wonder.
Net Worth
Stevie Wonder has an estimated net worth of $ 110 million
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Stevie Wonder's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Academy Awards(Oscars) | ||
| 1985 | Best Music, Original Song | The Woman in Red (1984) |
Golden Globe Awards | ||
| 1985 | Best Original Song - Motion Picture | The Woman in Red (1984) |
ASCAP Film And Television Music Awards | ||
| 2000 | Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures | Wild Wild West (1999) |
| 1997 | Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures | Dangerous Minds (1995) |
| 1992 | Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures | Jungle Fever (1991) |
Grammy Awards | ||
| 2007 | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals | Winner |
| 2006 | Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group | Winner |
| 2006 | Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | Winner |
Stevie Wonder biography timelines
- // 13th May 1950Stevie Wonder was born on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Calvin Judkins, and his wife, Lula Mae Hardaway. He was the third of six children in the family and was born six weeks premature, which caused retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in his eyes and subsequently he lost his vision.
- // 1962In 1962, the popular song “I Call It Pretty Music, But the Old People Call It the Blues” was released as his début single. The following year, his album ‘Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius’ was released which included the single “Fingertips” that went on to become a major hit.
- // 1968 To 1970In mid-1960s, Wonder went on to have a number of other hits such as “With a Child's Heart” and “Blowin' in the Wind”. Between 1968 and 1970, he managed to score several hits including “I Was Made to Love Her”, “For Once in My Life” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours”.
- // 1970In 1970, Wonder collaborated with his wife, Sylvia, and together they worked on his next album titled ‘Where I’m Coming From’. The album became a moderate success upon its release in the following year.
- // 1970In 1970, Stevie Wonder married Syreeta Wright, the Motown singer/songwriter and frequent collaborator. Two years later, the couple got divorced amicably.
- // Mar 1972In March 1972, his album ‘Music of My Mind’ was released which has been marked as the beginning of Wonder’s “classic period”. Same year, he also released the album ‘Talking Book’ which featured hits such as “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”.
- // 1973 To 1979In the following years, he came up with several blockbuster albums such as ‘Innervisions’ (1973), ‘Fulfillingness' First Finale’ (1974), ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ (1976), and ‘Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants” (1979). With the success of these albums, Wonder became the most acclaimed black musician by the end of 1970s.
- // 1975Later, Wonder met Yolanda Simmons when she applied for the post of his secretary for his publishing company. In 1975, Simmons gave birth to their daughter, Aisha Morris.
- // 1980 To 1982In 1980s, he achieved his biggest hits and highest level of fame with albums including ‘Hotter Than July’ (1980) and ‘Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium’(1982).
- // 1983In 1983, he was inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- // 1984In 1984, he recorded the soundtrack album for the movie ‘The Woman in Red’ which featured the Academy Award winning song “I Just Called to Say I Love You”.
- // 1984In 1984, he won an Academy Award for Best Song for ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ from the movie ‘The Woman in Red’.
- // 1987 To 1991In 1987, he released his album entitled ‘Characters’ which was followed by the soundtrack album for the 1991 movie ‘Jungle Fever’.
- // 1989In 1989, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- // 1995In 1995, his album ‘Conversation Peace’ was released which consisted of hits such as “For Your Love” and “Tomorrow Robins Will Sing”.
- // 1996In 1996, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
- // 1999In 1999, he was awarded the ‘Polar Music Prize’ and ‘Kennedy Center Honors’.
- // 2001 To 2012In 2001, he entered into a wed lock with Kai Millard Morris, a fashion designer. In 2009, the couple separated and Wonder filed for divorce in August 2012. The couple has two sons Kailand and Mandla Kadjay Carl Stevland Morris.
- // 2002In 2002, he was conferred the ‘Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award’ by the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- // 2004In 2004, he was honored with the ‘Billboard Century Award’.
- // 2005 To 2009In the new millennium, he came out with the album ‘A Time For Love’, in 2005. In the subsequent years, he toured North America and also performed on several occasions including the ‘Obama Inaugural Celebration’ in 2009.
- // 2006In 2006, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Same year, he was inducted to the Michigan Walk of Fame.
- // 2009In 2009, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
- // 2014In 2014, he became a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- // 2014Later, Wonder got involved in an affair with Tomeeka Robyn Bracy. In 2014, Bracy gave birth to the couple’s second child, Nia, who is the ninth child of Wonder.
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Stevie Wonder's FAQ
What is Stevie Wonder birthday?
Stevie Wonder was born at 1950-05-13
Where is Stevie Wonder's birth place?
Stevie Wonder was born in Saginaw
What is Stevie Wonder nationalities?
Stevie Wonder's nationalities is American
Who is Stevie Wonder spouses?
Stevie Wonder's spouses is Kai Millard Morris, Syreeta Wright
Who is Stevie Wonder childrens?
Stevie Wonder's childrens is Kailand Morris
Which company or organization was founded by Stevie Wonder?
Stevie Wonder was the founder/co-founder of Kurzweil Music Systems
How tall is Stevie Wonder?
Stevie Wonder's height is 184
Who is Stevie Wonder's father?
Stevie Wonder's father is Calvin Judkins
Who is Stevie Wonder's mother?
Stevie Wonder's mother is Lula Mae Hardaway
What is Stevie Wonder's sun sign?
Stevie Wonder is Taurus
How famous is Stevie Wonder?
Stevie Wonder is famouse as Musician