MISGUIDED MAGAZINE SPRING 2020

VOL 4
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STEVIE WONDER
Stevland Hardaway Morris, better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an African American singer,
songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He was born six weeks early with retinopathy
of prematurity, an eye disorder which was exacerbated when he received too much oxygen in an incubator,
leading to blindness.
Stevie Wonder made his recording debut at age 11 when he was discovered by Ronnie White of the Motown
recording group The Miracles. An audition followed with Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., who didn’t hesitate
to sign the young musician to a record deal.
Over the next decade, Wonder had an array of No. 1 songs on the pop and R&B charts. In 1971, Wonder
negotiated a new contract with Motown that gave him almost total control over his records and greatly
increased his royalty rate. Wonder continued to churn out hits into the 1980s.
In addition to his acclaimed artistry, Wonder has routinely tackled social issues through his music and
appearances. He successfully spearhead a movement to create a national holiday recognizing the birthday
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On March 25th 1985, Wonder dedicated his Oscar win for Best Original Song with
“I Just Called To Say I Love You,” featured in the movie The Woman In Red, to anti-apartheid activist/future
president Nelson Mandela.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards, as well
as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. He is one of only two artists and groups who have won
the Grammy for Album of the Year three times as the main credited artist, along with Frank Sinatra. In 2014,
Wonder received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.
Source: biography.com/musician/stevie-wonder
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