"Little" Stevie Wonder finds his first popular success. Recorded and performed spontaneously at the Regal Theater in Chicago in 1962, "Fingertips Part 2" went to #1 on the Billboard Top 100 chart in May of 1963. Stevie was just 13 years old, making him the youngest ever to top the chart.
The 60s saw Stevie score a number of hits including "My Cherie Amour", "Uptight" and more. As Stevie's musical style developed and matured, he grew increasingly restricted by Motown's creative process. Something was brewing with Stevie, and the end of his 10 year contract with Motown was soon coming to an end...
On his 21st birthday May 13th 1971, Stevie allowed his Motown contract to expire. What followed was a new contract with Motown that would set a precedent for future artists, giving him a much higher royalty rate, and complete creative control. In March 1972 Music of my Mind was released, and a new creative direction had begun for Stevie. And his best was yet to come.
Later in 1972 came Talking Book, featuring "Superstitious" and "You Are The Sunshine of my Life", both songs reaching #1 on the Billboard Top 100, & earning 3 Grammys. In 1973 with the release of Innervisions, Stevie made his most socially conscious statement yet, and earned another 3 Grammys. He had become the most influential and acclaimed black musician of the early 70s.
Following a serious car-accident in 1973, Stevie regrouped and went on to release Fufillingness' First Finale in 1974, earning 3 grammys. Then came Stevie's crowning achievement, Songs In The Key of Life. An ambitious double-album that many regard as the greatest album in pop music history. With such #1 hits as "I Wish" and "Sir Duke", Songs would go on to win 3 more grammys.
Following the massive success of his previous 4 albums, Stevie produced the largely instrumental Journey Through The Sercret Life of Plants in 1979. He followed this up with 1980's Hotter Than July, which featured "Master Blaster", "Ain't Gonna Stand For it" and "Happy Birthday", which was part of a successful campaign to establish MLK day.
The 80s saw Stevie reaching new levels of mainstream success. His collaboration with Paul McCartney with "Ebony & Ivory" led to another #1 hit, while his single, "I Just Called To Say I Love You", became a #1 hit in the US and in the UK. In 1985, In Square Circle was released and featured "Part-Time Lover" as another #1 hit. Here he is performing in Japan!
Each decade of his career, Stevie reinvents himself, and always delivers some great new music. While the 90s and 2000s saw Stevie cede the spotlight to the next generation, Conversation Peace (1995) and A Time To Love (2005) still delivered wonderful and timeless songs to Stevie's incredible discography. In this interviw with BET, Stevie provides insights into his creative process.
What else is there to say? Stevie Wonder is the most acclaimed musician in the history of modern music, and yet I still feel he is under-appreciated. Genius, talent, tireless production, all done with unmatched love and feeling, and depth of soul. He is a treasure, and I hope you enjoyed this journey. I leave you with my favorite interview with Stevie and his late mother Lula Mae Hardaway. Enjoy.