Stevie Wonder, original name Steveland Judkins or Steveland Morris when his mother married, was born May 13, 1950, Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. He is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, a child prodigy who developed into one of the most creative musical figures of the late 20th century. 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 (cécité). Wonder showed an early gift for music, first with a church choir (chorale ) in Detroit, Michigan, where he and his family had moved to when he was four years old, and later with a range of instruments, including the harmonica, piano and drums, all of which he taught himself before age 10. Wonder was just 11 years old when he was discovered by Ronnie White of the Motown band The Miracles. An audition followed with Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., who didn't hesitate to sign the young musician to a record deal. In 1962, the newly renamed Little Stevie Wonder, working with Motown songwriter Clarence Paul, among others, released his debut The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Wonder, an instrumental album that showed off the youngster's remarkable musicianship. As his voice changed, his recording career was temporarily put on hold, and he studied classical piano at the Michigan School for the Blind. He dropped the "Little" portion of his stage name in 1964, and re-emerged the following year with the infectious, typically Motown- sounding dance tune "Uptight (Everything's Alright)," a number one R&B/Top Five pop. The first signs of Wonder's social activism appeared in 1966 via his hit cover of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" and its follow-up, "A Place in the Sun," but as Motown still had the final say on Wonder's choice of material, this new direction would not yet become a major facet of his work. His “classic” period started in the ‘70s, with albums such as ‘Music of My Mind, ‘Talking Book,’ ‘Innervisions,’ and others. Stevie started bringing in the awards, winning Album of the Year at the 16th, 17th, and 19th Annual Grammy Awards. Wonder is the only artist to have won this award with three consecutive album releases. His 1970s albums are still regarded as extremely influential to this very day. The Rolling Stone Record Guide said they "pioneered stylistic approaches that helped to determine the shape of pop music for the next decade". He has sold over 100 million records worldwide, placing him amongst the best-selling music artists of all time. He's also won 25 Grammy Awards, granting him the title of most awarded artists of all time. What made Wonder special was his mastery of virtually every idiom of African-American music. He has a way with words and musical arrangements, knowing what works and what doesn't. This, with his profound talent on keyboard instruments are what makes him a genius. Another key factor to his uniqueness is his childhood roots. Wonder grew up in a religious black family and this influenced his musical direction. His black church background has given him a gifted and one of a kind depth and honesty. This is what has ultimately allowed him to project emotionally and connect with millions of people. Personal life His personal life however, has not been as successful or drama-free for that matter. In fact, with his three wives and nine children, Stevie Wonder's life has had an immense amount of pressure. In 1970, Stevie Wonder and famous Motown singer-songwriter Syreeta Wright tied the knot =To get married (to each other). Wright was a very skilled lyricist and worked with her partner on hits like "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" and "If You Really Love Me." Stevie also worked on her albums "Syreeta" (1972) and "Stevie Wonder Presents Syreeta" (1974). Although the pair frequently collaborated on their music, they split up 18 months later. Their amicable divorce was finalized in 1972. Stevie then went on to marry a fashion designer, Kai Millard, they were married in 2001. The pair's relationship, however, turned sour in 2009. They eventually separated in October the same year. After 11 years of marriage, the couple finalized their divorce in 2012. The former couple decided to remain silent about their separation. No details or reasons for the divorce were shared and the public was left in the dark, without answers. Wonder and MIllard did have two children, Kailand Morris and Mandla Kadjay Carl Stevland Morris, which they are now parenting separately. In 2017, the singer decided to give love a third try. He married Tomeeka Robyn Bracy in a ceremony that featured performances by A-list celebrities like John Legend, Usher and Pharrell Williams. Upon meeting the legendary singer, Bracy used to work as a schoolteacher. The two's paths had crossed in the early 2010s when Wonder was still married to his second wife, Karen Millard-Morris. The pair remained a couple, seeing each other steadily for a lengthy five years before tying the knot. They have two children together, and they are the youngest of Wonder's nine children. WONDER'S WORRYING HEALTH CONDITION In July 2019, Wonder told his fans that he only had three shows left. Crowds at London BTS fest were shocked to hear of his condition. The legendary singer shared that he was in need of a kidney transplant. The star did, however, set them at ease. Wonder went to explain that he had a donor and that he was fine. The majority of his friends have also indicated that he is in good spirits and doing well. The operation took place in September and the star has been taking his time to recover. He has also used his break to spend more time with his family. Attempting to maintain his career, family and good health has been challenging but the star's positive attitude will help him win the battle. A man of many talents, Wonder has changed musical history forever. Despite a turbulent personal life and three marriages, he remains a good father and an even better singer. Advocacy (plaidoyer) Work In addition to his acclaimed artistry, Wonder has routinely tackled social issues through his music and appearances. He successfully spearhead (être à la tête de) a movement to create a national holiday recognizing the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a celebration he sang about in the track "Happy Birthday" from Hotter Than July. ("Happy Birthday" became a major U.K. hit as well, reaching No. 2.) Wonder had dedicated his Oscar win to anti-apartheid activist/future president Nelson Mandela and had performed on the No. 1 charity singles "We Are the World," to raise money for famine relief in Africa, and "That's What Friends Are For," with Warwick, Elton John and Gladys Knight, benefiting the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR). Wonder has also been a longtime advocate for improving services for the blind and those with disabilities. In connection with the International Day of Persons With Disabilities, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2009. In June 2013, Wonder continued his advocacy work when he announced he would make good on a promise to perform a concert in Marrakech for negotiators from the World Intellectual Property Organization when they agreed on an international treaty providing blind and visually impaired individuals around the world with more access to books. Honors Following a 10-year hiatus (pause, parenthèse), Wonder released the well-received « A Time to Love » in 2005, with guest appearances from India.Arie, Doug E. Fresh, McCartney, Bonnie Raitt and Prince, among others. Wonder also put out the concert DVD Live At Last: A Wonder's Summer Night in 2009. In 2014, Wonder received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. The following year, the singer/songwriter/musician was paid tribute by a pantheon of performers on the telecast Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life—An All-Star Grammy Salute, recognizing his classic 1976 album. Later Music Wonder occasionally surfaced with new music as he progressed through his late 60s, recording the Golden Globe-nominated single "Faith" with Ariana Grande in 2016, as well as the song "Future Sunny Days," specifically written for the 2018 finale of the hit series Scandal. Stevie has released many hit songs over the decades, which one is your all-time favorite? Top 20 Stevie Wonder Songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAR2GuD0SIY Stevie Wonder Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZqdGDmS4EE In this video some mistakes in the subtitles In church « quiet » : false it is in church choir The title of the son gis EBONY and IVORY not evany Vocabulary : bevy= un groupe .