Stevie Wonder, American children’s musician, was born on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, United States of America.
Wonder was born to Calvin Judkins and Lula Mae Hardaway. He has the same parents as his five brothers and sisters; Calvin Hardaway, Larry Judkins Hardaway, Milton Hardaway, Renee Hardaway and Timothy Hardaway.
He was born six weeks premature, which, combined with the oxygen-rich environment of the hospital incubator, led to retinopathy of prematurity, a condition in which eye development is slowed and results in detachment of the eyes. the retina, leaving him blind.
When Wonder was four years old, his mother filed for divorce from his father and moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Wonder participated in the Whitestone Baptist Church choir when he was a young child.
She later reestablished her relationship with the father of her first child, whose last name was also Hardaway, and changed his name to Lula Hardaway. She then had two more children.
Stevie’s last name was legally changed to Morris when he joined Motown in 1961; According to the authorized biography of Lula Mae Hardaway, this was an ancient surname. Little Stevie Wonder was Berry Gordy’s proposed stage name.
He started playing piano, harmonica and drums at a young age. With a friend, he founded the singing duo Stevie and John. They performed regularly at events such as balls and parties, as well as on street corners.
When Wonder was younger, he attended Fitzgerald Elementary School in Detroit. His first album, The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie, was released in 1962 and soon after he enrolled at the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing, Michigan.
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ToggleCareer of Stevie Wonder
Wonder is considered a pioneer and influence of musicians in various genres, including rhythm and blues, pop, soul, gospel, funk and jazz.
Wonder was practically a one-man band that revolutionized R&B in the 1970s through the use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments.
By incorporating socially conscious remarks into the complex compositions of his LPs, he also helped usher these genres into the album era.
Wonder, a child prodigy who was blinded shortly after birth, signed with Motown’s Tamla label at age 11 and was given the stage name Little Stevie Wonder.
Wonder’s single “Fingertips” was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963 at the age of 13, making him the youngest artist to ever top the chart. Wonder’s critical success peaked in the 1970s.
His “classical phase” officially began with the release of “Music of My Mind” and “Talking Book” in 1972, which also included “Superstition”, one of the best-known and best-known examples of the Hohner Clavinet sound . piano.
Through his albums Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1974) and Songs in the Key of Life (1976), he holds the joint record for the most Album of the Year awards with three awards.
He is the only musician to receive this honor despite releasing three consecutive albums. In the 1980s, Wonder began its “commercial period”.
During this period, he recorded his biggest hits, reached the highest level of popularity, increased album sales, became involved in charitable causes, collaborated with well-known artists (such as Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson ), had an influence on politics and produced numerous television shows. appearances.
Wonder continues to support political and musical causes. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, he is one of the most successful musicians of all time.
He has won an Oscar and 25 Grammy Awards, more than any solo musician (best original song for the 1984 film The Woman in Red). The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame have all honored Wonder.
He is known for his work as a political activist, particularly his work in 1980 to declare Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a federal holiday in the United States.
He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014 after being appointed United Nations Ambassador for Peace in 2009.
How many children does Stevie Wonder have?
Wonder has nine children with five different women, some of whom he married and never married to.
Who are Stevie Wonder’s children?
Aisha Zakiya Morris
Aisha is Stevie Wonder’s first child. She was born on February 7, 1975, to Yolanda Simmons, who happens to be an actress. Aisha is an adult now. She is the mother of Stevie Wonder’s grandson, Miles Morris, currently 19 years old.
Keïta Morris
Keita Sawandi Morris was born in April 1977 to Yolanda Simmons and Stevie Wonder. Keita appeared in the documentary series “Classic Albums” in the episode “Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life” dedicated to his father.
Mumtaz Ekow Morris
Mumtaz is the third son of Stevie Wonder. He was born on October 13, 1983 to the musician and his ex-lover Melody McCully. He currently lives in California. He is a musician and hopes to become popular one day.
Sophie Morris
Sophia, born in 1985, is the daughter of Stevie Wonder. Even though her mother’s name is not known to the public, she remains connected to her father.
Kwame Morris
Kwame is also another son of Stevie Wonder, born on August 6, 1988.
Kailand Morris
Kailand is another son of Stevie Wonder. He was born on September 1, 2001 to Wonder’s ex-wife. Kai Millard. He’s an Instagram star, followed by over 149,000 people, and recently had his first magazine interview.
Mandla Morris
Mandla was born on May 13, 2005 to Wonder and Kai Milla. He is a young actor who made his debut in the complicated drama “A Star Is Born” directed by legendary actor Bradley Cooper.
Zaiah Wonder
Zaiah was born in 2013. Her mother is Tomeeka Robyn Bracy, the current wife of Stevie Wonder.
Nia Wonder
Nia was born on December 15, 2014 and happens to be the youngest of all Stevie Wonder’s children.