Stevie Wonder

1. Stevie Wonder Mrs. Deckard Music Tech Periods 6 and 7 Today, 2009

2. Biographical Information • Stevie Wonder was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins. • He was born on May 13, 1950 and is currently 58 years old. • Stevie Wonder was born in Saginaw, Michigan, though Detroit, Michigan was his home since age. • I was unable to find information regarding his schooling or any diplomas he received. • Though I was unable to find out his parents’ or siblings’ names, I can tell you that Stevie’s mother left his father when Stevie was 4. • Stevie was married to Motown Singer, Syreeta Wright from 1970-1972. His second wife is Kai Milla Morris, whom he has been married to since 2001. • Stevie Wonder has seven children from 3 different women.

3. Musical Background • Stevie took up piano at age 7 and mastered it by age 9. • During his early childhood he was active in his Church choir. • He also taught himself to play the harmonica and the drums, and had mastered both by age ten. • Wonder also learned to play the bass during his early years. • At the age of eleven, Stevie was introduced to Motown CEO Berry Gordy. He was then signed to the Tamla label with the name “Little Stevie Wonder.” • Stevie Wonder has been singing and performing officially since he was 11 years old (47 years total). His first major hit came at age 13.

4. Musical Accomplishments • Stevie has recorded with Motown Records for most of his career. • He has produced several albums on his own and has collaborated with others on their albums. • Stevie Wonder has recorded 41 albums. Some titles include 1968- For Once in My Life, 1969- My Cherie Amour, 1970- Signed Sealed Delivered, and 2005- A Time 2 Love. • Wonder has had 3 Top Ten Albums in the US. • He has had 10 Top Ten hits including: Fingertips- Part 2, Superstition, I Wish, Sir Duke, Ebony and Ivory, and That’s What Friends Are For.

5. Musical Highlights • Stevie Wonder performs predominantly Motown music, though some of his music may be classified as R&B. • While Stevie Wonder has done some exploration of his career on his own, he has generally stayed in the Motown genre. • Wonder has received 22 Grammy Awards for Best Male Vocalist, Best Album, Best Arrangement, Best Producer, and Best Song. • Stevie Wonder has collaborated as a guest musician or vocalist with a variety of people including Quincy Jones, Snoop Dogg, The Supremes, John Denver, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, and Dionne Warwick.

6. Song Review- “You are the Sunshine of My Life” • The tempo for this piece is Allegro. • “You are the Sunshine of My Life” is in quadruple meter. • This piece contains both vocals and instrumentals. • The instruments in this piece include keyboard, synthesizer, horns, and percussion. • The lyrics talk about how his love for a person is as bright and constant as the sun. He talks about how even though this is the beginning of the relationship, he feels as if he has known her for years. This is a love song. • This piece was a Top Ten hit in the US and earned Wonder a Grammy Award for best male vocals. • I picked this song because it has a catchy melody and it has a good message.

7. Resources Used • I used the following websites for information: • Steviewonder.net • En.wikipedia.org/wiki/stevie_wonder • Steviewonder.free.fr • Steviewonder.com • Steviewonder.org • Lyricsmania. com