Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Stevie Wonder

Discover the career path of Stevie Wonder, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Stevie Wonder, born Stevland Hardaway Morris, is a highly influential American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. Blind from infancy, he became a child prodigy, signing with Motown's Tamla label at age 11. Wonder is celebrated for his pioneering use of synthesizers and electronic instruments, revolutionizing R&B in the 1970s. He is credited with transforming R&B, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz music into complex album-oriented works, known for their cohesive nature and socially conscious themes. He is considered a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

November 1967: Honorary degree from Newcastle University to Martin Luther King Jr.

In November 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. received an honorary degree from Newcastle University. This event was later recognized when Stevie Wonder was awarded the Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne for his campaign to establish a U.S. national holiday for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday

1969: Performance at Harlem Cultural Festival

In 1969, a young Stevie Wonder performed at the Harlem Cultural Festival, which was captured in the documentary 'Summer of Soul'. His performance included 'It's Your Thing' and a drum solo.

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1971: Where I'm Coming From hints at Wonder's "classic period"

Some observers see aspects of Stevie Wonder's 1971 album Where I'm Coming From as indications of the beginning of his "classic period", particularly its funky keyboard style.

1972: Beginning of Classic Period

In 1972, Stevie Wonder's classic period began with the album Music of My Mind, where he gained personal control of production and programmed integrated songs for a concept album. Some consider Talking Book, released later in 1972, to be the true start of this period.

1973: Grammy Award for Album of the Year

In 1973, Stevie Wonder's album, Innervisions, won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

October 21, 1974: Speech and Song at UMass Boston

On October 21, 1974, during the Boston busing desegregation, Stevie Wonder spoke and led students in song at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

1974: Grammy Award for Album of the Year

In 1974, Stevie Wonder's album, Fulfillingness' First Finale, won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

1976: Grammy Award for Album of the Year

In 1976, Stevie Wonder's album, Songs in the Key of Life, won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

1976: Culmination of Classic Period

Stevie Wonder's "classic period" culminated in 1976, marked by his funky keyboard style, personal control of production, and the use of integrated songs in concept albums.

1976: End of Wonder's Classic Period

Stevie Wonder's "classic period" is generally agreed to have ended in 1976.

1979: Use of Melodian on Soundtrack Album

In 1979, Stevie Wonder used Computer Music Inc.'s early music sampler, the Melodian, on his soundtrack album Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants". This was his first digital recording and one of the earliest popular albums to use the technology.

1980: Campaign for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

In 1980, Stevie Wonder campaigned to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a federal holiday in the United States.

1984: Academy Award Win

In 1984, Stevie Wonder won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from the movie The Woman in Red.

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1995: Collaboration Peace

Syreeta Wright sang on Stevie Wonder's 1995's Conversation Peace.

1996: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

In 1996, Stevie Wonder won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, adding to his collection of 25 Grammy Awards.

2005: Aisha Toured With Father

In 2005, Aisha Morris toured with her father Stevie Wonder, and appeared on his album A Time to Love.

2006: Grammy Win with Tony Bennett

In 2006, Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder won a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for their rendition of "For Once in My Life".

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June 2008: Work on New Albums

In June 2008, Stevie Wonder was simultaneously working on two album projects: The Gospel Inspired by Lula and Through the Eyes of Wonder. He also considered a collaboration with Tony Bennett and Quincy Jones for a jazz album.

September 8, 2008: Wonder Summer's Night Tour in Europe

On September 8, 2008, Stevie Wonder began the European leg of his Wonder Summer's Night Tour in Birmingham, marking his first European tour in over a decade. The opening show took place at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham and included eight UK gigs, some of which were filmed and released as 'Live At Last'.

2009: Harmonica Playing on Grammy-Nominated Song

In 2009, Stevie Wonder's harmonica playing was featured on the Grammy-nominated song "Never Give You Up", featuring CJ Hilton and Raphael Saadiq.

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2010: 2010 Tour

In 2010, Stevie Wonder's tour included a two-hour set at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, an appearance at the Hard Rock Calling festival in Hyde Park, London, and appearances at England's Glastonbury Festival, Rotterdam's North Sea Jazz Festival, a concert in Bergen, Norway, and a concert in Dublin, Ireland, at The O2 on June 24.

October 2013: Celine Dion's Loved Me Back to Life Album

In October 2013, Stevie Wonder appeared on Celine Dion's studio album, Loved Me Back to Life, performing a cover of his 1985 song "Overjoyed".

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2013: Recording New Material for Two Albums

In 2013, Stevie Wonder revealed he was recording new material for two albums, When the World Began and Ten Billion Hearts, in collaboration with producer David Foster, with plans to release them in 2014.

2014: Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2014, Stevie Wonder received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama, presented at a ceremony in the White House on November 24.

2014: Unreleased Albums

In 2014, Stevie Wonder's albums When the World Began and Ten Billion Hearts were not released, despite being in development.

2015: Mark Ronson's Uptown Special Album

In 2015, Stevie Wonder was featured on two tracks on Mark Ronson's album Uptown Special.

December 2016: Stevie Wonder Avenue Dedication

In December 2016, the City of Detroit recognized Stevie Wonder's legacy by renaming a portion of his childhood street, Milwaukee Avenue West, as "Stevie Wonder Avenue", and awarded him an honorary key to the city.

April 4, 2018: Joining Twitter and Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

On April 4, 2018, Stevie Wonder joined Twitter with his first tweet being a five-minute video titled "The Dream Still Lives" honoring Martin Luther King Jr., encouraging viewers to share videos about their dreams using the hashtag #DreamStillLives.

2018: Travis Scott's Astroworld Album

In 2018, Stevie Wonder was featured on the track "Stop Trying to Be God" on Travis Scott's album Astroworld.

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July 6, 2019: Kidney Transplant Announcement

On July 6, 2019, at a concert in London's Hyde Park, Stevie Wonder announced that he would be undergoing a kidney transplant in September.

October 2020: Launch of So What the Fuss Records and New Singles

In October 2020, Stevie Wonder announced the launch of his new vanity label, So What the Fuss Records, via Republic Records. This marked the first time his music was not released through Motown Records. He also released two singles: "Can't Put It in the Hands of Fate" and "Where Is Our Love Song", with proceeds from the latter benefiting Feeding America.

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October 2020: Development of Through the Eyes of Wonder and The Gospel Inspired by Lula

In October 2020, while promoting his recent singles, Stevie Wonder mentioned Through the Eyes of Wonder as a potential album featuring both singles, and The Gospel Inspired by Lula as a future album he might record with Motown.

June 2021: Appearance in Summer of Soul Documentary

In June 2021, Stevie Wonder appeared in the documentary Summer of Soul, directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, which showcased the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969. The documentary featured never-before-seen footage of a young Stevie Wonder performing.

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October 2022: 50th Anniversary of Talking Book

In October 2022, Stevie Wonder celebrated the 50th anniversary of his album Talking Book.

2023: Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne

In 2023, Stevie Wonder was awarded the Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, in recognition of his campaign to establish a U.S. national holiday for the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

May 13, 2024: Ghanaian Citizenship Conferral

On May 13, 2024, Stevie Wonder's 74th birthday, he was conferred Ghanaian citizenship by Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo, taking the Oath of Allegiance and receiving his Certificate of Citizenship at Jubilee House in Accra.

May 2024: George Peabody Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Music and Dance in America

In May 2024, Stevie Wonder was a recipient of the George Peabody Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Music and Dance in America, the highest honor awarded by the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.

August 21, 2024: Performance at the Democratic National Convention

On August 21, 2024, Stevie Wonder performed "Higher Ground" at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 United States presidential election, emphasizing the importance of courage over complacency.

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