![]() Reportedly, the best man and bridesmaids were made up of some of Wonder's nine children.”Īmong the 160 high profile guests attending the nuptials - which featured Wonder serenading the bride - were John Legend, Babyface, Pharrell, and Usher. News only became public a week later because, according to Vintage Vinyl News, “Every guest, including family members, had to sign a confidentiality agreement that included a penalty of $1 million if they talked to the press. Wonder got married in July 2017 under a cloak of secrecy at L.A.'s Hotel Bel-Air to third wife, Tomeeka Bracy. It was during his harmonica medley of John Lennon's global peace anthem “Imagine” with “The Star Spangled Banner,” that Wonder took a knee in solidarity with the NFL players raising awareness of ongoing social inequality, which inspired audience members to follow suit. What I want you to know is that we are in a race, we here, all of us here, a race against time, (so) it’s time for all the leaders, all the people, all of us to come together in the spirit of unity so we can move this world to a positive form.” reported that Wonder performed a hit-packed setlist that included a surprise version of Carole King's “You've Got A Friend.” Wonder addressed the crowd, stating, “I’ve never seen the color of my skin, nor the color of your skin. In October 22nd, 2017, Stevie Wonder kneeled while performing “The Star Spangled Banner” in Austin during his performance the Formula 1 U.S. Listen closely and you'll hear the musicians struggling to keep up with Wonder as he improvises at one point, one musician can be heard shouting, “What key? What key?” At 12-years-old, “Little Stevie Wonder” had his first Number One hit with “Fingertips – Part 2,” recorded live in concert. Stevie Wonder was born Stevland Judkins in Saginaw, Michigan in 1950, and later on legally changed his last name to Morris. How did it feel to celebrate freedom that we’re still fighting for? It felt, and feels, too familiar.” ![]() He spoke about how he commemorated Juneteenth, despite the fact that it's not a nationally recognized day, saying, “As a matter of fact, there are three states that still do not recognize it: North Dakota, South Dakota and Hawaii. Wonder quoted from his 1973 Innervisions classic “Visions,” reciting “I'm not one who makes believe/ I know that leaves are green/ They only turn to brown/ When autumn comes around/ I know just what I say/ Today's not yesterday/ And all things have an ending.” In June 2020, Wonder posted a video on social media, titled “The Universe Is Watching” in which he spoke at length on race relations in the country and how America can move beyond what he believes is Donald Trump's overt race baiting and prejudice. Rolling Stone reported at the time, “Proceeds from the song’s sales will benefit Feeding America, which, Wonder says, has requested $1 billion in donations to help families in need around the country.” The tracks were issued under Wonder's own Republic Records, marking his first break from Motown in nearly 60 years. “Where Is Our Love Song” was a tune he began writing way back in 1968 and the second track - “Can't Put It In The Hands Of Fate” - featured Busta Rhymes and Rapsody alongside backing vocals from five of his nine children. The video, which features new and archival footage of people of all creeds, races, and denominations celebrating the big moments in life, also includes vintage shots of Elton and Wonder from back in the 1970's.īack in October 2020, Wonder released his first new music in 15 years. When I saw a post this morning noting Wonder’s 70th birthday, I did a quick calculation and realized that his amazing string of early and mid-1970s work started when he was all of 21 years old.Happy Birthday to Stevie Wonder, who turns 72 today (May 13th)!!! 2021 saw Stevie Wonder' duet with Elton John on “Finish Line,” from Elton's latest album, The Lockdown Sessions. ![]() ETA: To be fair, per Wikipedia John Paul Jones has explicitly acknowledged the source of the song’s inspiration: “John Paul Jones has credited Stevie Wonder with the inspiration for the beat (“ Superstition“, 1972), which he played on a clavinet.” Thanks to a commenter for pointing this out.) (One of my favorite tributes is this wild nine-minute version of Trampled Under Foot, which is Led Zeppelin’s typically uncredited take on an African-American musician’s work. It was nothing like I’d ever heard before. (I have no idea why a bunch of 13-year-olds were being allowed to do this in the middle of the school day, except it was the 70s, man.)Īnyway I walked into the room and heard the clavinet riff that subsequently launched a thousand imitators. ![]() I have a very sharp memory of the first time I heard “Superstition.” It was during some sort of informal party at Clague Middle School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, early 1973. One of America’s greatest musicians turns 70 today. ![]()
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