Stevie Wonder

Childhood

Stevland Hardaway Judkins (more well-known as Stevie Wonder) was born on the 13^th May 1950. He had a premature birth which caused his blindness. His parents were not going to let his blindness get in the way of his life. At the age of 7 he learnt his first of many instruments – piano. Even though he found it very hard to begin with, when he was just 12 he released his first ever album – The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie. This was a great achievement for the young superstar. It sold everywhere and his parents were so proud.

Career

At 20 Stevie married Syretta Wright. They were a happy couple for 2 years, until they divorced in 1972 (aged 22). The bad things kept coming, because on the 6^th of August 1973 Stevie and his cousin were in a car accident. His cousin was driving the car, Stevie was asleep and then suddenly once the car had crashed he fell unconscious. Luckily, he survived.

Awards

Stevie won the Presidential Award in 1974. 7 years later he released one of his most well-known tunes – ‘Happy Birthday’. It was number 2 in the UK charts, but his best ever selling song was ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’. It was Stevie’s first UK number 1. The next year he won an Academy Award Oscar for the Best Original Song (I Just Called To Say I Love You). At the age of 49, he won a Grammy for MusiCares Person of the year.

In 2001, aged 51, he married Kai Milla Morris.

Conclusion

Stevie is still alive, aged 62, living with his wife and 7 children. At the age of 62, he is still persisting against his blindness. His seven children have all looked up to Stevie and all of them are learning to play instruments. Stevie is still singing and playing his instruments for example melodica, keytar, synthesizer, clavinet, harmonica and harpejji.

Grace