Stevie Wonder was born premature and blind in 1950 in Michigan. Discovered by Ronnie White of the Miracles, he was signed to Motown Records at age 11 and released his first album in 1962. In the 1970s and 80s, Stevie Wonder had immense success, releasing popular singles like "Superstition" and "I Just Called to Say I Love You" that went to number one. He won 25 Grammys and was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, demonstrating his talents as a musician, singer, songwriter and producer. Stevie Wonder remains one of the top selling artists of all time.

1. STEVIE WONDERSTEVIE WONDER
The Life of a LegendThe Life of a Legend

2. Stevland Hardaway JudkinsStevland Hardaway Judkins
 Born May 13, 1950 inBorn May 13, 1950 in
Saginaw, MichiganSaginaw, Michigan
 Son of Lula Mae HardawaySon of Lula Mae Hardaway
and Calvin Judkinsand Calvin Judkins
 After Lula left Calvin Stevie’sAfter Lula left Calvin Stevie’s
surname was changed tosurname was changed to
MorrisMorris
 Born premature, Stevie wentBorn premature, Stevie went
blind due to stunted growth inblind due to stunted growth in
the blood vessels in his eyesthe blood vessels in his eyes
and heightened oxygen in theand heightened oxygen in the
incubatorincubator

3. Little Stevie WonderLittle Stevie Wonder
 Discovered by Ronnie White ofDiscovered by Ronnie White of
the band the Miracles, who’sthe band the Miracles, who’s
brother brought him to seebrother brought him to see
Stevie playStevie play
 Ronnie Introduced him toRonnie Introduced him to
Berry Gordy Jr., founder ofBerry Gordy Jr., founder of
Motown RecordsMotown Records
 Signed at 11 years oldSigned at 11 years old
 Released his first albumReleased his first album LittleLittle
Stevie Wonder 12 Year OldStevie Wonder 12 Year Old
GeniusGenius in 1962in 1962
 His first single ‘Fingertips’ inHis first single ‘Fingertips’ in
1963 was an instant hit1963 was an instant hit
 Leads him into his prime of theLeads him into his prime of the
70s and 80s70s and 80s

4. 70s Hit Machine70s Hit Machine
 Stevie was turning out a newStevie was turning out a new
album practically yearlyalbum practically yearly
throughout the decadethroughout the decade
 Released several of his mostReleased several of his most
famous singles includingfamous singles including
‘Superstition’, ‘I Wish’, “Higher‘Superstition’, ‘I Wish’, “Higher
Ground’, ‘Livin’ for the City’Ground’, ‘Livin’ for the City’
and ‘Sir Duke’. All hittingand ‘Sir Duke’. All hitting
number #1 in the U.S. andnumber #1 in the U.S. and
charting very high in the U.K.charting very high in the U.K.
 In 1972 he toured with TheIn 1972 he toured with The
Rolling StonesRolling Stones
 November 18, 1974 wasNovember 18, 1974 was
declared Stevie Wonder day indeclared Stevie Wonder day in
Los AngelesLos Angeles
 One of his most famousOne of his most famous
albumsalbums Songs in the Key ofSongs in the Key of
LifeLife debuts at #1 on pop anddebuts at #1 on pop and
R&B chartsR&B charts
 14 Grammies were won14 Grammies were won
throughout he decade – 5 inthroughout he decade – 5 in
1974, 5 in 1975 and 4 in 19771974, 5 in 1975 and 4 in 1977

5. 80s Don’t Slow Down80s Don’t Slow Down
 Begins campaign to makeBegins campaign to make
Martin Luther King’s birthday aMartin Luther King’s birthday a
national holiday – bill passed innational holiday – bill passed in
19831983
 Purchases L.A. radio stationPurchases L.A. radio station
KHLHKHLH
 Works with Paul McCartney onWorks with Paul McCartney on
‘Ebony and Ivory’‘Ebony and Ivory’
 More #1 albums and singlesMore #1 albums and singles
including ‘I Just Called to Say Iincluding ‘I Just Called to Say I
Love You’ (first #1 in the U.K.),Love You’ (first #1 in the U.K.),
CharacterCharacter albumalbum, In Square, In Square
CircleCircle albumalbum
 1985 Oscar for ‘I Just Called to1985 Oscar for ‘I Just Called to
Say I Love You’Say I Love You’
 1986 Grammy for ‘That’s What1986 Grammy for ‘That’s What
Friends Are For’ with Dionne,Friends Are For’ with Dionne,
Elton and GladysElton and Gladys
 1989 induction into the Rock n’1989 induction into the Rock n’
Roll Hall of FameRoll Hall of Fame
 Grammies keep coming in theGrammies keep coming in the
upcoming decadesupcoming decades

6. Notable AwardsNotable Awards
 25 Grammy Awards, including25 Grammy Awards, including
a Grammy Lifetimea Grammy Lifetime
Achievement AwardAchievement Award
 1989 inducted into the Rock n’1989 inducted into the Rock n’
Roll Hall of FameRoll Hall of Fame
 Academy Award and GoldenAcademy Award and Golden
Globe for best original songGlobe for best original song
 Billboard Music Century AwardBillboard Music Century Award
 Multiple American MusicMultiple American Music
AwardsAwards
 Multiple BET Honors AwardsMultiple BET Honors Awards
 Multiple NAACP AwardsMultiple NAACP Awards
 Soul Train AwardSoul Train Award

7. Family ManFamily Man
 Stevie is 1 of 6 childrenStevie is 1 of 6 children
 He has 9 Children of his own –He has 9 Children of his own –
oldest 39, youngest just 1 yearoldest 39, youngest just 1 year
oldold
 Married twice - first to SyreetaMarried twice - first to Syreeta
Wright, then to Kai MillardWright, then to Kai Millard
 2 children with Kai2 children with Kai
 5 children with 2 ex-girlfriends5 children with 2 ex-girlfriends
– Yolanda Simmons and– Yolanda Simmons and
Melody McCullyMelody McCully
 2 children with current fiancé,2 children with current fiancé,
Tomeekah Robyn BracyTomeekah Robyn Bracy

8. Little Known FactsLittle Known Facts
 Marvin Gaye played drums onMarvin Gaye played drums on
Stevie’s first single ‘Fingertips’Stevie’s first single ‘Fingertips’
 Stevie was a leader inStevie was a leader in
declaring Martin Luther King’sdeclaring Martin Luther King’s
birthday a national holidaybirthday a national holiday
 In 1973 he was in a seriousIn 1973 he was in a serious
car accident that put him in acar accident that put him in a
coma for ten days and causedcoma for ten days and caused
him to permanently lose hishim to permanently lose his
sense of smell and temporarilysense of smell and temporarily
lose his tastelose his taste
 Refers to his alter ego as DJRefers to his alter ego as DJ
Tick Tick BoomTick Tick Boom
 In 1976 signed a $13 millionIn 1976 signed a $13 million
deal with Motown, the largestdeal with Motown, the largest
recording deal in history at thatrecording deal in history at that
timetime
 Current net worth of $110Current net worth of $110
millionmillion

9. Man of Many HatsMan of Many Hats
 Plays drums, keyboards,Plays drums, keyboards,
harmonicaharmonica
 Musician, songwriter, singer,Musician, songwriter, singer,
producerproducer
 Has written over 80 songs forHas written over 80 songs for
others including Marvin Gaye,others including Marvin Gaye,
Smokey Robinson, TheSmokey Robinson, The
Supremes and TheSupremes and The
TemptationsTemptations
 Has had over 30 top ten hitsHas had over 30 top ten hits
 Ten #1 hitsTen #1 hits
 One of the top 60 best-sellingOne of the top 60 best-selling
artists of ALL TIMEartists of ALL TIME

10. SourcesSources
 http://www.allmusic.com/artist/stevie-wonder-mhttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/stevie-wonder-m
 http://www.steviewonder.org.uk/bio/life-storieshttp://www.steviewonder.org.uk/bio/life-stories
 http://www.biography.com/people/stevie-http://www.biography.com/people/stevie-
wonder-9536078wonder-9536078
 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005567/bihttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005567/bi
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