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Chronicles of Greatness (3) - Stevie Wonder
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STEVIE WONDER (1950 – )
Steve Wonder was born Steveland Hardaway Judkins on 13th May, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan. He is a Singer, Songwriter and multi-
instrumentalist. He was blind from birth due to too much oxygen he received when he was in the incubator as a premature baby. He
started with a church choir at Detroit, Michigan. He taught himself harmonica, piano and drums among other instruments before age 10.
At age 11, he was discovered by Ronnie White of Motown Band the Miracles and at age 12 (1962), with the assistance of Berry Gordy Jr, a
song writer, Stevie Wonder released his debut album – Little Stevie Wonder, the 12year old Genius.
In 1964, he released another single – Uptight (Everything's Alright). By 1973, Stevie has had several hit songs including “Living in the City,” “Boogie on a Reggae Woman,” Isn't she lovely (A song dedicated to his daughter Aisha).
In the 1980s he had two extra hit singles “I just called to say I Love You” and “Ebony and Ivory.” In 1989, he was enlisted in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2005, he released A Time to Love after a 10 year suspension and in 2009, He put out a concert DVD: Live At Last: A Wonder's Summer Night.
In 2013, Stevie made news when he announced his intention to host a concert to fulfil his promise if negotiators provided the blind and visually impaired individuals worldwide with more access to books.
As at 2014, he revealed that he was working on two album and another gospel album with David Foster. This gospel album is to be a tribute to his late mother - Lula Mae Hardaway.
Stevie Wonder was married twice and has seven children. He is also Cobhams Asuquo's Hero.
Awards: 25 Grammy Awards including The Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.
Outstanding Attributes: Determination, Optimism, Hard work and Diligence.
Supporting Attributes: Resilient Persistence and Passion to serve humanity, aptness to spot new and potential talents and develop them despite his disabilities.
Compiled from Stevie Wonder. (2015). The Biography.com website. Retrieved 09:10, Mar 07, 2015, from http://www.biography.com/people/stevie-wonder-9536078.
Copyright © 2015 [Adebola A. Ayoade]. All Rights Reserved.
This post was edited by Adebola Ayoade at March 9, 2015 9:37 AM CET