Stevie Wonder is a multi-talented singer-songwriter who developed from a child prodigy into one of the world's most creative musical figures.
Born Stevland Hardaway Morris, Stevie Wonder was blind from birth and raised in inner-city Detroit. By the age of 8 he was a highly accomplished musician and named 'Little Stevie Wonder' by Berry Gordy jr, the president of Motown Records, who was introduced to him by Ronnie White of The Miracles. He was only 12 when he made his recording debut. He grew fans through his high pitched tones mixed with his harmonica interludes and had his first hit single in 1963 with 'Fingertips (Part 2). In the mid 1960s he dropped the 'Little' from his name.
A virtual one man band, his success continued and his use of synthesizers and other varied instruments throughout the 1970s helped grow his standing and reshaped the face of R&B music. His commercial success continued into the 1980s and beyond.
Stevie Wonder has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His vibrant and colourful music endures and continues to inspire generation of future musicians.
