A musical prodigy, Stevie Wonder began playing piano at the age of 4. By the age of 8 he was a skilled musician. At the age of 11 he signed his first recording contract with Motown Records’ “Tamla” label. His first hit was “Fingertips” recorded live at the Regal Theater in Chicago when he was 12. While it was primarily an instrumental piece, it gave the world a glimpse of the musical genius of “Little” Stevie Wonder and a taste of the brilliance to come.

In his early years, Stevie Wonder was influenced by many big names in the music industry including Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson, and King Curtis. Perhaps the one person who had the most profound impact on him was Marvin Gaye. At Gaye’s funeral Wonder remarked, “Marvin was the person who encouraged me that the music I had within me, I must feel free to let [it] come out”.

A prolific songwriter, Stevie Wonder wrote or co-wrote songs for some of music’s most popular artists - a veritable Who’s Who from Motown and beyond; The Supremes, the Marvelettes, Brenda Holloway, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, the Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Temptations, Ramsey Lewis, the Spinners, Syreeta, LaBelle, Rufus, Minnie Riperton, Roberta Flack, The Pointer Sisters, James Taylor, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones. The list goes on and on. In 1983 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

At the age of 21, with support from Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder gained complete creative control over his music. From 1971 - 1976 he entered into what is widely recognized as his “classic period”. In that 5 year span he released five albums - “Music of My Mind”, “Talking Book”, “Innervisions”, “Fulfillingess’ First Finale”, and “Songs in the Key of Life”. (Stevie Wonder’s Classic Period). Rolling Stone Record Guide magazine said his albums “pioneered stylistic approaches that helped determine the shape of pop music for the next decade”. Classic Stevie Wonder songs are sampled today in everything from hip-hip to rap to R&B. Through collaboration, mentoring, or inspiration, Stevie Wonder has had an influence on musicians from the 70s onward. Drake, Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, Janelle Monet, Erykah Badu, Lauren Hill, Tupac, Common, Musiq Soulchild, John Legend, Michael Jackson and Snoop Dogg are just a few.

Stevie Wonder’s impact on American music extended far beyond his influence as a singer and songwriter. During the 1970s he was at the forefront of embracing new technologies in music pioneering the use of synthesizers, drum machines, and sampling. His nature documentary soundtrack “Steve Wonder’s Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants” was one of the earliest digital recordings ever released. His use of technology changed the conventions of R&B, and his critical and commercial success and advocacy for the use of technology played a leading role in changing attitudes about the use of electronic music.

For the Black community, the 60s were a pivotal moment in American history largely defined by celebration at the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and tragedy with the assassinations of Malcom X and Martin Luther King, Jr. Part of why Stevie Wonder’s music is so important is how it reflected the societal temperature of America at the beginning of the post-civil rights era. In the new decade, Wonder’s music spoke of the Black experience of life, death, birth, love, pain, political angst, social justice and every emotion in between to a country that was slowly beginning to recognize the fullness of that experience.

Throughout his career Stevie Wonder combined the power of pop music with his concerns about civil and human rights and is the recipient of many philanthropic and humanitarian awards. Wonder’s activism began early in his career with his work at creating Martin Luther King Day. He put his career on hold and led rallies from coast to coast galvanizing millions to the call for recognition of Dr. King. In the 1980s, Wonder helped organize and sing on the immensely successful charity singles, “We Are the World” for famine relief, and “That’s What Friends Are For” for AIDS awareness. He has written, produced or performed songs for charities in support of disabilities, AIDS, cancer, diabetes, hunger and homelessness, domestic abuse and other causes on behalf of children and adults.

A musical genius, prolific singer and songwriter and collaborator (Music Credits) mentor, and dedicated philanthropist. An accomplished musician on piano, synthesizer, harmonica, congas, drums, bongos, organ, melodica and Clavinet. Stevie Wonder is a voice and talent that spoke truthfully and philosophically about the experience of Black life. In the 70s his music spoke to, for, and about a people whose presence and impact at the intersection of politics, power, and race in America was changing. To quote Zora Neale Thurston, “Negroes love and hate and fight and play and strive and travel and have a thousand one interests in life like other humans.” America was waking up to that truth and Stevie Wonder’s music painted the picture people would see as their eyes opened.

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