Latest News 2011
December[24] The Bright Future International (BFI) charity song video can now be seen here.
[23] Stevie accompanied Justin Bieber last night on the X-Factor (US) Finale singing The Christmas Song. Watch video here.
[22] This holiday season, celebrities and children come together for A Merry Christmas music video, which features Stevie, Dionne Warwick, Larry King, Jordin Sparks, Jermaine Jackson, Mystery Guitar Man, DeStorm, the Bolshoi Ballet and others. The music video is set to premiere right before Christmas on Friday, December 23rd. Proceeds from single sales will benefit Bright Future International (BFI), a charitable organization that funds programs for underprivileged children around the world.
[22] Common performed last night at the House of Blues in Los Angeles to celebrate the release of his new album, The Dreamer/The Believer. He surprised his audience by inviting Stevie onstage for what ended up being a freestyle session. Watch video here.
[20] Stevie will be featured on the track Only Our Hearts from the forthcoming Paul McCartney album due for release in February. Also guesting on the album are Eric Clapton and Diana Krall.
[19] At Saturday's House Full of Toys charity concert Stevie shared the stage with Drake, Michael McDonald, Justin Bieber, Gerald Wilson, Faith Evans, Charlie Wilson and Little Anthony and the Imperials. Stevie played a brief set which included Higher Ground, Sir Duke, What Christmas Means to Me and A Time to Love.
[13] BET has announced Maya Angelou, Stevie Wonder, Spike Lee and Mariah Carey will be celebrated next month, Jan 14th at the Warner Theatre D.C., for lifetime achievement to African-American culture.
[01] Yesterday (Nov 30) Stevie appeared on the Ellen Show to promote his upcoming House Full of Toys children's benefit concert (See Tours page). He announced guest appearances from Drake and Justin Bieber and host Steve Harvey. Ellen generously donated $10,000 towards the purchase of toys. Watch video here.
November
[14] Stevie made a surprise appearance joining B.B. King, Kenny Burrell and DeeDee Bridgewater on stage at Royce Hall, UCLA Saturday night for Burrell's 80th birthday tribute concert.
[13] This coming week will see the release of three albums featuring Stevie on Harmonica. On Darke's album Take Care Stevie is featured on on the track Doing it Wrong; On Pixie Lott's Young Foolish Happy album he is on the track Stevie on the Radio; and on Maysa's album Motions of Love he features on the track Have Sweet Dreams.
[12] Stevie makes his long-awaited debut in Rock Band for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii on November 15th with the Stevie Wonder Pack 01 containing five tracks Superstition, Higher Ground, Living for the City, Sir Duke, I Wish. All tracks feature support for keyboards, as well as harmonies and Pro Drums. Additionally, “Sir Duke” and “I Wish” are both eligible for a Pro Guitar and Pro Bass upgrade. Further details on the Rockband website.
[08] Stevie received the MMRF’s Spirit of Hope Award in recognition of his extraordinary humanitarian efforts, philanthropic leadership and generosity of spirit at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's 15th Annual Fall Gala on Saturday October 29. Artists including Michael McDonald, Darius Rucker and winner of NBC’s “The Voice” Javier Colon wowed attendees with powerful performances in a Tribute Concert to Stevie who later joined them on stage to perform several of his hits.
Accepting the award Stevie said It is an honor to be recognized by the MMRF – an organization that has helped so many families affected by multiple myeloma. Cancer has touched someone in all of our lives. It is my hope that, by continuing to raise awareness and research funds through events like this, we can play a role in helping the MMRF bring patients new treatments that will extend their lives.
[05] Last night Stevie was among the many celebraties on hand to honour Clint Eastwood at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Annual Gala. Stevie concluded the evenings tributes and entertainment with a performance of Signed Sealed Delivered
[04] On Tuesday night at the Gibson amphitheater in Los Angeles, a variety of celebrities gathered to honor Stevie during the Artists 4 Peace “Never Again” Peace Concert. Similar events will run until 2015 as a dedication to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Its aim is to unite artists from around the world for various awareness campaigns, utilizing music and art, in hopes of educating and preventing crimes against humanity.
In his speech Stevie said I came here as an Ambassador of Peace, I do not represent any nation. I am the individual Stevie Wonder. In my life I fought for peace between men in the name of love.
[01] Stevie, one of the first users of the original Fairlight CMI in 1979, recently checked out the prototype of the 30th anniversary model that's currently in development. It's creator, Peter Vogel said: "In 1979, Stevie was one of the first users of the Fairlight. I was thrilled to find he was still as interested as ever in exploring new technologies." He also confrimed the company will be working closely with Stevie and his engineer to discover ways to make its products totally accessible.
Stevie with Fairlight creator Peter Vogel and Lorraine Vogel
October
[31] Last Friday was the first class of Topics: Stevie Wonder, a seven-week course in Tisch’s Clive Davis program that explores the life, work and influence of Stevie Wonder. And Harry Weinger (vice-president of A&R at Universal Music), professor of the course, did not spend the class going over the syllabus but instead hosted a guest lecture by Stevie himself.
[29] Last night Stevie attended the 16th Annual Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project's Hulaween Benefit Gala at The Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
[26] Stevie's annual House Full of Toys Benefit concert in aid of disadvantaged children will be held this year on December 17th at the Nokia Theater L.A. Guest artists appearing are to be announced at a later date
[26] Stevie is to play a New Year's Eve concert at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The performance will be broadcast live to revellers on the Las Vegas Strip via video
[25] Stevie turned out today at the official launch of The Star Casino in Australia where he entertained the 800 invited guest to an hour long show. Tomorrow night he will give a concert at the Star's Lyric Theatre.
[20] On Friday Oct. 14 Morehouse College honored Stevie with the school’s Presidential Renaissance Medallion of Merit. Stevie's son, Kwame, attends the school. On accepting the award, Stevie said I touched the King monument and I knew that I touched a dream. And it touched me as it should touch us in that special place in our hearts, where we hold dreams close and sacred. He ended by saying I’m going to leave you with a song. But I don’t want you to remember what I sang, I want you to remember what I said. He then sat behind the keyboards for a rendition of Love’s in Need of Love Today and left the stage after a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday.
[19] Artists for Peace (AFP) announced the largest peace event of the year set to take place on November 1, 2011 at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk. The Never Again Peace Concert this year will be honoring Stevie for his continuous efforts as the United Nations Messenger of Peace.
[17] Stevie spoke briefly then performed Happy Birthday at the official dedication ceremony for the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial at the National Mall in Washington D.C. yesterday Oct. 16. Watch video here.
[16] Stevie performed last night (Oct 15) at the William J. Clinton Foundation's A Decade of Difference Concert at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles. See video of performances here.
[13] Stevie will appear on a Discovery Channel hour-long special called, iGenius: How Steve Jobs Changed the World which will air October 16 at 8 p.m. ET.
[08] In honor of Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery’s 90th birthday, the Lowery Institute for Justice and Human Rights will present 'His Words-Our Gift', a musical and theatrical experience in celebration of the life and work on Sunday 9th Oct. at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Performers include Stevie, Jennifer Holliday, Peabo Bryson, and the Blind Boys of Alabama.
[07] Stevie offered his perspective on the late Steve Jobs’ impact on the world saying, “The one thing people aren’t talking about is how he has made his technology accessible to the blind and the deaf and people who are quadriplegics and paraplegics. He has affected not just my world, but the world of millions of people who without that technology would not be able to discover the world. He has given the blind eyes to see the world, the deaf ears to hear the world. I’m just hoping that his life and what he did in his life will encourage and challenge others to do what he has done and create a world that will be accessible to anyone with any physical disability”. Full article in LA Times.
Steve Jobs referred to as Stevie Wonder in the January 2000 issue of Fortune Magazine
[02] Sting celebrated his 60th Birthday last night with special performances by Stevie, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Herbie Hancock, Lady Gaga, Will.I.Am and Mary J. Blige. Stevie played harmonica on Brand New Day and then sang a spirited version of Fragile.
Billy Joel, Mary J Blige, Herbie Hancock, will.i.am, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Trudie Styler and Lady Gaga
September
[30] Stevie performs at Rock in Rio festival last night. He dedicated the show to Yvonne Whitmore, his teacher during the 1960's at the Michigan School for the Blind, who passed away on Tuesday aged 87. Also joining him on stage for the finale of Superstition and Another Star was Janelle Monáe
[21] Smokey Robinson, recipient of the 20th Ella Award at the Society of Singers annual dinner on Monday (19th), gives a kiss to friend Stevie Wonder as he performs in Robinson's honor in Beverly Hills, California. Also joining them was Natalie Cole. The Ella Award is named after jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald.
[18] Stevie opened his Austin City Limits Festival set last night with a cover of Marvin Gaye's How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) then launched into a keytar solo which led into a two hour set of his greatest hits.
[15] Stevie was on hand today for the launch of a new UN mobile app developed in collaboration with the UN Foundation. It pulls content from UN Dispatch, aggregates news feeds from multiple UN agencies and delivers the news in one integrated customisable stream in six languages. Stevie said he has devoted much of his life to promoting access for people with disabilities and the new app is all about increasing access to knowledge and information about the world to every corner of the world. Read full story here.
[14] Stevie will perform Higher Ground with finalist POPLYFE tonight (Wednesday) on the finale of America's Got Talent.
[13] On Saturday Stevie made an impromptu appearance at the annual Wonder-Full tribute held in LA. He made a poignant speech about 9/11, work with the disabled as the UN Messenger of Peace and get well wishes for Steve Jobs. See video on YouTube here.
[05] Sunday 04 Stevie performed at the Curaçao Jazz Festival. He dedicated his iconic Happy Birthday song to two special people who share the same birthday — his son Kailand and legend in her own right Beyoncé.
[01] Sting will celebrate his 60th birthday with Stevie, Bruce Springsteen, Herbie Hancock, Lady Gaga and others at the Beacon Theater (New York) on October 1st. Proceeds will go to the anti-poverty charity, the Robin Hood Foundation.
August
[31] Hundreds packed a Detroit church today to give a final goodbye to Esther Gordy Edwards. Stevie spoke before performing a stirring, soulful rendition of one of Edwards' favorite hymns, "His Eye is on the Sparrow". He said he was giving all the praise to God for what she did in my life and the many lives she touched. I think if we all had a mother or sister or aunt or cousin or sister or niece that celebrated and cheered our family as much as she did hers, we'd have a world of unity. He then sang "Sweetest Somebody I Know", a song from his latest album, A Time To Love, that he said is ...so much about her, along with a clip of "Isn't She Lovely?" with the lyrics altered to refer to her. Stevie later accompanied the silent reading of Edwards' obituary with "If It's Magic," again changing the lyrics in tribute to her.
[27] Stevie 'sees' the MLK Jr. Memorial. Before it's official opening Stevie was afforded the opportunity to see the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. Using a cherry picker (crane). Stevie was able to touch the face of Dr. King and is now launcing a foundation to which he is committing $10,000 annually, giving blind visitors the chance to touch Dr. King’s face and torso. Stevie then spoke briefly about King and performed Visions for the crowd. "I want to do this song because I actually wrote it in 1972 on the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." he explained.
[26] Ester Gordy Edwards dies aged 91. She was the founder of the Motown Museum, Detroit in 1985 and an executive at Motown during the label's early years. In a statement Stevie remarked: I’m taken back by the loss of Esther. She meant so much to me as a human being. She embodied the idea of never giving up. She was ever determined in everything she did, she was full of energy and her spirit will continue live on. She loved the idea of what we were creating in Motown. She believed in me when I was 14 years old and many other people didn’t or could only see what they could at the time. She championed me being in Motown. I shared with her many of my songs first before anyone else. She was like another mother to me, she was an extension of that same kind of motherly love. Her spirit will continue to live on. When we lose someone, we often think “they don’t make people like this anymore.” It is my hope that younger generations and the world will know of her spirit and her pride in world culture.
Stevie with Ester Gordy Edwards and Michael Jackson at the Hitsville Motown Museum
[26] Stevie will be among many stars including Carrie Underwood, Diana Drall, John Mayer and Tony Bennett at AARP’s Drive to End Hunger Benefit Concert aimed to end hunger among aging Americans. The event taking place September 24, 2011 at Staples Center in LA. will also celebrate Bennett's 85th birthday.
[05] Stevie will serve as a co-chair at the Aug. 28 dedication of the National Memorial to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Wasington D.C.
[05] Last night Stevie was on hand to celebrate President Obama's 50th birthday at the White House. Stevie surprised the gathering by performing the ballad, You and I which was the President and First Lady Obama's wedding song.
[02] Yesterday (Monday) Stevie attended the funeral of boxing promoter, Butch Lewis. He capped off the service with a 25-minute performance of songs that included Higher Ground, Isn’t She Lovely and a tweaked version of Signed Sealed Delivered - “Here he is Father Signed, sealed, delivered, he’s yours” as the crowd rose to their feet, clapping.
[01] Over the weekend, Stevie performed at the OVO (October’s Very Own) Festival in Toronto alongside Canadian rapper Drake. Drake told reporters that Stevie would be featured on a song called Doing It Wrong on his upcoming new album Take Care due for release in October.
[29] Morehouse College, the alma mater of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., announced the college is holding a concert in his honor on August 28, the evening of the King Statue dedication. During the evening Morehouse will honor Stevie for his efforts to mark King’s birthday as a national holiday and Rep. John Conyers for his legislation that authorized the holiday.
[25] Yesterday, Sunday, Stevie performed at the Global Soul Night at the Hollywood Bowl. The event featured many artists including Rickey Minor, Janelle Monae, Charles Bradley and Jay Leno. In tribute to the tragedy in Norway, Stevie called for a moment of silence and rememberance. His set featured tributes to Jesse Belvin, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Berry Gordy and Jackie Wilson
[25] Stevie made a surprise guest appearance at the Kenny Burrell Jazz Show at Catalina on Saturday night.
[17] Stevie is scheduled to headline the Rock in Rio Festival in Brazil on September 29. Tickets go on sale July 23.
[17] Yesterday, Saturday, Stevie made impromtu appearances with some acts at the 2011 JazzFest West Festival in San Dimas, California.
[10] Stevie will be featured on a track, playing hamonica, on the forthcoming Pixie Lott album, due for release on 7th November.
[06] A new book by Susan Whitall, Fever: Little Willie John's Fast Life, Strange Death, and the Birth of Soul has recently been puslished which includes a foreword by Stevie. Willie John had a great influence on Stevie and many other artists. His son Keith John has been part of Stevie's backing vocals group since the 80's. An interview with the author and John's two sons can be heard here
June
[27] On Saturday night Stevie was part of the 2011 Special Olympics opening ceremony in Greece. He performed a five song set. A video of the event can be viewed here
[14] Last night Stevie was inducted in the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame. Honouring Stevie were Tony Bennett, Melanie Fiona, Wyclef Jean, Raphael Saadiq, Chick Corea, Yolanda Adams and many others.
[06] Stevie will perform at the opening ceremony of the 2011 Special Olympics in Greece on June 25th.
May
[26] Stevie helped lift Norco College to higher ground Wednesday (May 25), delivering words of inspiration and a musical performance. He spoke for more than an hour at the event billed as "A Conversation With Stevie Wonder: Overcoming Challenges to Achieve the Dream." Read full story here.
[24] The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) announced that it will honor Stevie with the MMRF Spirit of Hope Award at the 15th annual MMRF Fall Gala, to be held October 29, 2011, in Greenwich, Connecticut. The MMRF Spirit of Hope Award is presented annually to individuals who inspire hope with their perseverance in overcoming personal obstacles. Stevie had high praise for the foundation, saying Cancer has touched someone in all of our lives. It is my hope that, by continuing to raise awareness and research funds through events like this, we can play a role in helping the MMRF bring patients new treatments that will extend their lives.
[20] Ten time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan was all smiles on Hollywood Boulevard yesterday (May 19) when the 2,440th Star showing her name was revealed. On Hand was Stevie to help in her celebrations. Video of Stevie at presentation is here
[18] Stevie joined a host of celebririties last night (May 17) for a farewell spectacular to commemorate the final Oprah Winfrey Show. He joined Jamie Foxx in a sing-a-long of Isn't She Lovely. The show will air in the US on May 23 and 24.
[15] Stevie along with Kanye West are set to headline the Austin City Limits Music Festival to be held Sept 16-18.
[14] Last night Stevie played with Prince at The Forum, Inglewood, CA, jamming to a medley of Superstition and You Haven't Done Nothing. See video here.
[13] Happy 61st Birthday Stevie!
[13] Stevie gives an impromptu performance of You Are the Sunshine of My Life on Thursday, May 12, during the Tulane University Commencement Ceremony in New Orleans, LA. During the ceremony, Wonder also joined New Orleans’ vocalist Topsy Chapman and Dr. Michael White’s Original Liberty Jazz Band, playing harmonica to the song, Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans. Tulane awarded Stevie an honorary doctor of fine arts degree at the event. Stevie also briefly addressed the graduates and recited the words to the new song, Ten Billion Hearts. University spokesman Michael Strecker says the audience received an “unexpected treat.”
(Photos by Paula Burch-Celentano, Tulane University Publications Office)
[04] Last night Stevie performed at New York's Beacon Theatre, where he headlined a gala benefiting the Gateway Schools. The legend came onstage playing a keytar. The crowd went wild, and thus began a night of hit after hit, from Master Blaster (Jammin') to Sir Duke to My Cherie Amour to I Was Made to Love Her to ... well, you name it. Over $2.2 million was raised for the charity.
April
[21] Last night Stevie performed at a fund-raiser for US President Barrack Obama at the home of Salesforce.com CEO Mark Benioff. Stevie performed a new song titled Ten Billion Hearts and told those gathered, "There are so many people out there that are just refusing to move into today. Too many people locked into a place and time that we have said must and will never ever happen again. We can’t do it".
[16] George Michael has recorded a version of Stevie's ballad You And I as a wedding gift to Prince William and Kate Middleton. Stevie has waived the rights to the song to ensure it can be freely downloaded. Get this special tribute here.
[15] Stevie will mark the 40th anniversary of Marvin Gaye's masterpiece by staging a What's Going On tribute concert in California in July. The show, which will feature performances from Rickey Minor and Janelle Monae, will take place at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on 24 July.
[15] At the Grammy on The Hill (Wed. 13th April) Stevie spoke about Vice President Joe Biden's work for the music industry. Biden could not attend, so Stevie had personally delivered his award earlier at the White House showing off pictures of the presentation to the audience. Stevie then previewed lyrics to a new song, Ten Billion Hearts, speaking them into the microphone.
[13] Stevie is set to headline the closing night of the second annual Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival on 3rd September.
[11] At the TV Land Awards last night (April 10th) Stevie presented the Impact Award to Bill Cosby and other members of The Cosby Show. He also performed the song, Higher Ground.
[09] Stevie will be among special guests to attend the Grammys on the Hill Awards in Washington, D.C., on April 13. He will present an award to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden for his commitment to improving the environment for the nation's music community.
[07] President Barack Obama greets Stevie and Al Sharpton at the National Action Network’s Keepers of Dream Awards Gala in New York, Wednesday 6th.
[05] Spelman College President Beverly Tatum will host a conversation with Stevie on April 7th at 7:30pm in commemoration of the college's 130th anniversary. The conversation will focus on Stevie’s journey as a musical artist, humanitarian and philanthropic leader.
[04] Stevie took his kids and grand kids to the recent Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards on April 2nd
March
[25] Stevie made a surprise visit on the results night of the Motown themed episode of American Idol last night (March 24). After treating the audience to Signed Sealed Delivered, Stevie performed Happy Birthday to judge Steven Tyler who turns 63 on Saturday
[22] Stevie is putting a truly rare and incredible piece of history up for auction to benefit Ten O'Clock Classics, a nonprofit group that provides classical music venues, outlets for up and coming classical artists and education and inspiration for children to pursue classical careers. His Steinway Baby Grand Piano, which he will personalise will be auctioned to the highest bidder. Bidding is open through March 30th at charitybuzz.com. The estimated value for the piano is $60,000.
[22] Last Friday, March 18th, Stevie performed for the first time in the Middle East at Abu Dhabi's Yas Island Music Festival.
February
[25] US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a tribute to Motown last night, which saw Stevie, Smokey and others perform at the White House.
[18] Stevie will be inducted into the Apollo Theater's Hall of Fame during a ceremony scheduled for June 13.
[15] Stevie is named to receive honorary degrees from Tulane University at this spring’s commencement ceremonies on May 12.
[12] Stevie along with others performed last night in honour of Barbra Streisand at the annual MusiCares award.
[10] Last night amfAR celebrated the 25th anniversary of the fund raising song That's What Friends Are For.
January
[24] Sunday Jan 23, Stevie made a cameo appearance on Oprah's Ask The Stars show giving advice on stage fright to a singer named Shanta. Click here for video
[23] Saturday Jan 22, Stevie attended the funeral of Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr., US Stateman and founder of the Peace Corps. Stevie played his harmonica in a sing-a-long tribute of forever young with Bono.
[19] While at the Consumer Electronics Show last week, Stevie stopped off to pose with staff at the Polaroid booth showing off their new Heritage Collection range. Stevie left with a couple pairs.
[17] Stevie paid a visit to Ballou Senior High in DC on Sunday Jan 16. In honor of Dr King's legacy, he promised $100,000 in support of the school's anti-violence initiatives. Video here.
[12] The Recording Academy has chosen Barbra Streisand as its MusiCares Person of the Year in conjunction with the 2011 Grammy Awards, and will salute her musical and philanthropic achievements Feb. 11 with an all-star fundraising dinner and concert featuring Stevie, Tony Bennett, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Krall.
[12] Stevie will join Dionne Warwick, Elton John and Gladys Knight for a 25th anniversary performance of That's What Friends Are For on Feb. 9 at the annual amfAR (Foundation for AIDS Research) New York Gala benefit at Cipriani Wall Street. At the ceremony Bill Clinton and Elizabeth Taylor, one of the founding members, will be honoured.
[11] Stevie, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, and Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. attend memorial to honour singer Teena Marie at a private memorial service. Teena died of natural causes on December 26th aged 54. Stevie gave a speech celebrating her life while Smokey's tribute was in song.
Stevie arrives at Marie's memorial service at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills in LA at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, LA. Monday. Jan. 10
[09] Stevie joins Earth Wind & Fire on stage at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Monster Party in Las Vegas. He also played with the band and Sheila E. at an intimate after party show. For more details videos and photos click here.
