Lasting Legacy of Stevie Wonder: A Look at the Influence on History
A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Stevie Wonder across different fields.
Stevie Wonder, born Stevland Hardaway Morris, is a highly influential American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. Acknowledged as a pioneer across genres like R&B, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz, he redefined contemporary R&B in the 1970s with his innovative use of synthesizers and electronic instruments. Blind since shortly after birth, Wonder signed with Motown's Tamla label at age 11 and was branded 'Little Stevie Wonder'. He's known for crafting socially conscious albums with complex compositions, solidifying his place as a music icon.
November 1967: Martin Luther King Jr. receives honorary degree from Newcastle University
In November 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. received an honorary degree from Newcastle University.
1976: Paul Simon's Grammy Acceptance Speech
In 1976, during his acceptance speech for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards for "Still Crazy After All These Years", Paul Simon thanked Stevie Wonder for not releasing an album that year.
1983: Influence on Pop Music
In 1983, Rolling Stone Record Guide noted that Stevie Wonder's albums during his "classic period" "pioneered stylistic approaches that helped to determine the shape of pop music for the next decade".
1995: Interview discussing move to Ghana
In 1995, Stevie Wonder described the powerful impact of his 1992 visit to Ghana and how he decided he'd eventually move there permanently.
1996: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
In 1996, Stevie Wonder won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, adding to his collection of 25 Grammy Awards.
2002: "I Just Called to Say I Love You" recognized in the UK
In 2002, "I Just Called to Say I Love You" was placed 13th in the list of best-selling singles in the UK.
2003: Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list
In 2003, Rolling Stone included Innervisions, Songs in the Key of Life, Talking Book, and Music of My Mind in their "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.
2004: Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list
In 2004, Rolling Stone included "Superstition", "Living for the City", "Higher Ground", and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" in their "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.
2005: Kanye West Compares His Work to Wonder's
In 2005, Kanye West expressed his ambition to compete with Stevie Wonder's albums Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life.
2009: Named UN Messenger of Peace
In 2009, Stevie Wonder was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
2014: Honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2014, Stevie Wonder was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2020: Updates to Rolling Stone's Lists
In 2020, Rolling Stone updated their "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list to number 4 for Songs in the Key of Life and number 59 for Talking Book, and also "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" was included in the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list at number 203.
October 2022: 50th Anniversary of Talking Book
In October 2022, Stevie Wonder celebrated the 50th anniversary of his album Talking Book.
2023: Awarded 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 Martin Luther King, Jr.
2024: Ranked as Fifth Greatest Keyboard Player
In 2024, Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph ranked Stevie Wonder as the fifth greatest keyboard player of all time.
