Stevie Wonder Biography
When Lula Mae Hardaway and Calvin Judkins had their child Stevland Hardaway Judkins they did not imagine that he would grow up to be an entertainment icon let alone survive the first hours of his birth, Lula Mae Hardaway had experienced a difficult pregnancy and doctors had found it necessary to have an early surgery to remove the baby from its mother if there was the slightest chance of living. This child turned out to be Stevie Wonder, the widely acclaimed Jazz, pop and RnB artist who has entertained masses for over five decades.
Wonder’s origins go back to Saginaw, Michigan, USA where he was born on May 13 1950, his poor family was reduced to only two members after his mother walked out of a failing marriage to raise her son alone, despite this Wonder’s life was filled with happiness as he discovered the magic of music from a local church where he not only played instruments but he had a big role in the choir.
By the time Wonder was eight he could easily rival his elders in playing the drums, bass guitar, piano, and harmonica, word of the eight year old boy who had the makings of a star spread around the neighbourhood and beyond and soon people were gathering at the Wonder’s church to listen to and admire his talent. It was through one of these word of mouth incidents that the young boy was transformed to a child star, in 1961 and at age ten he was spotted by a talent scout and immediately he was given a recording contract with Motown recordings making him the youngest member of the label.
Wonder went to work soon after that in in 1963 he appeared with the first professional studio album titled Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius, the album was well received as music lovers were not only drawn to the 12 year old charm but also to the vocal capability of Wonder and his ways with a variety of instruments. Following albums in the 60’s were Up-Tight, I Was Made to Love Her, Down to Earth, My Cherie Amour, and For Once in My Life.
The singer’s other works have been recorded in albums like The Woman in Red, In Square Circle, Characters, Conversation Peace, Natural Wonder, At the Close of a Century, A Time To Love, and Number 1's.
For his contribution to music wonder has amassed a number of accolades including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from 1996, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002, the George and Ira Gershwin Lifetime Achievement Award from 2002, the Montreal Jazz Festival Spirit Award from 2009, the Billboard Century Award from 2004, an induction into the Michigan Walk of Fame in 2006, and an honour for Messenger of Peace from the United Nations in 2009.
Today Wonder’s skills with instruments have expanded to include the clavinet, melodica and accordion.
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