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December

[11] Stevie's House Full of Toys Holiday Benefit featured stars such as Tony Bennett, Pharrell Williams, Dave Matthews, Common, Andra Day and Savion Glover in addition to taking fans down memory lane via performances of two of his classic albums: 1972’s Talking Book and 1973’s Innervisions. Read review in Billboard Magazine




[08] LL Cool J, Gloria Estefan, Lionel Richie, Carmen de Lavallade, and Norman Lear are this year’s five recipients of the 40th Kennedy Center Honors. The segment honoring Richie included a performance by Stevie, who sang Lionel’s “Hello” and “Easy.”

November

[20] Stevie has announced the lineup for this year's 21st Annual House Full of Toys Benefit Concert on Dec. 10. Joining him are Andra Day, Pharrell Williams, Dave Matthews, Savion Glover and Tony Bennett. Music director is Rickey Minor.
“Even though House Full of Toys will be celebrating 21 years, the joy of giving in the spirit of song will make this night such pleasured fun for the old and young,” Stevie said in a statement.

[18] Stevie was among a bevy of stars on hand Wednesday night to salute the legendary Tony Bennett, who was honored with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The star-studded tribute also included performances by Wynton Marsalis, Josh Groban, Vanessa Williams, Michael Bublé and Michael Feinstein. Bruce Willis hosted the festivities. The tribute concert will air on PBS on January 12, 2018. 


[18] Usher poses on the red carpet with Stevie and Jermaine Dupri at a screening of his new movie People You May Know on Monday (November 13) at The Grove in Los Angeles.


October

[24] After 21 years in Los Angeles, including a long run at Microsoft Theatre, Stevie's annual fundraiser moves across the street to the Staples Center. For the annual House Full of Toys charity event on Dec. 10th, Stevie will be performing his iconic 1972 album Talking Book and his 1973 album Innervisions. Special guests are yet to be announced. Music Director will be Emmy Award winner, Rickey Minor.

[23] “Not to get political, because I don’t like to do that,” lamented Stevie, who had something to get off his chest before a two-hour performance following the Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of Americas on Sunday night. “I have never seen the color of my skin, nor have I seen yours, but we’re all in a race – a race against time.” He then kicked off the concert.


[18] Stevie's sense of humour was as prevalent as ever as he made a comical appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night. He poked fun at a cover story in the Enquirer magazine which claimed that he could see during his brief cameo on the show, leaving audience members in hysterics.
He was there to promote the TidalX charity concert being held later that day.


[16] Led by Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Anthony, stars assembled for a disaster relief telethon Saturday. Entitled One Voice: Somos Live! the event aired on Telemundo, NBC, the Viacom television networks. Stevie performed Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing and Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds.


[11] Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez have come together to host the benefit concert “One Voice: Somos Live!” It will take place at Miami’s Marlins Park stadium on Saturday, October 14. Marc Anthony, Camila, Gente de Zona, Nicky Jam, DJ Khaled and Alejandro Sanz are set to perform live.
At the same time, from the NBC soundstage in Los Angeles, Stevie, Demi Lovato, Maroon 5, Ricky Martin, Gwen Stefani, Chris Martin, Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige, Andra Day, Maxwell and Julia Michaels will also join the lineup for the broadcast event.

[11] Stax songwriter and The Consortium MMT head David Porter has announced another edition of his “Epitome of Soul Award” for 2017 to be awarded to William Bell. Stevie, who was the first recipient in 2014, is to make the presentation on 11th Nov.

[11] Television network Cinémoi’s 4th annual CineFashion Film Awards, which honors fashion-oriented films created by innovative filmmakers, actors, musicians and designers, was taped before an audience on Sunday. It will air on that channel on Oct 29.
Stevie presented Dionne Warwick with the Timeless Icon award.
Stevie performed Dionne Warwick’s tune “You Won’t Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)” — mentioning it is his favorite, saying “Dionne has always been a humanitarian. She’d give you her heart and she has,” Wonder said. “I remember listening to the radio in Detroit on a Monday; my mother promised to go to the store and get me some cookies and, while she was gone, [that song] came on. I was thinking, my mother will not get to heaven if she don’t get me those cookies.”
Accepting the award, Warwick said: “The way I look at is that music has been and will always be the healing force, words that we are able to give to you, the melodies that linger with you for years and years are very important. Music heals souls. It heals minds. It heals bodies. If we keep music in front of us, I think the world will change.”


September

[25] Last night Stevie made a surprise appearance during the Dave Matthews Band set at A Concert for Charlottesville, an event described as a night of "music and unity" after the violent clashes in Charlottesville.
Stevie said during the event that Matthews was working to "spread the never-ending cry to love". He then shared the words to the unreleased song: "Fear Can't Put Dreams to Sleep."
After that, Wonder took a knee. Matthews did the same. "I take a knee for America and two knees in prayer for our world. Amen"


[24] Stevie performed at the Global Citizens Festival last night. He said "Tonight, I'm taking a knee for America," dropping to first one knee and then the other. "Not just one knee, but both knees in prayer for our planet, our future, and leaders of our world. Our global brothers and sisters, I didn't come here to preach, but I'm telling you, our spirits must be in the right place all the time."
He then played a crowd-pleasing set that included Higher Ground, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, and Sir Duke as well as a cover of Lennon's Imagine and a guest appearance from Pharrell Williams.


[20] Last night in Manhattan, billionaire Warren Buffett was joined by a roll call of the world's richest people to celebrate Forbes' 100 anniversary. As part of the entertainment Stevie performed and was joined by Buffet for a duet at the star-studded gala.



[17] Dick Gregory touched millions during his 84 years of life. A man with such an enormous life deserved a gigantic home going. So for nearly seven hours, Gregory’s family and friends paid tribute to him yesterday at his funeral that proved to be a celebration of life and love. Honoring his life were musical tributes by India Arie and Stevie.

Dick Gregory’s daughter, Ayanna joins Stevie Wonder


[13] Last night Stevie opened the Hand in Hand Hurricane Benefit Telethon. He said “Anyone who believes there’s no such thing as global warming must be blind or unintelligent.”
Along with highlighting the devastating effects of climate change, he also appealed for people to love each other and the planet. “When love goes into action, it preferences no color of skin, no ethnicity, no religious beliefs, no sexual preferences and no political persuasions, it just loves.”
He then launched into a rendition of Bill Withers' “Lean On Me” backed by the Houston Gospel Choir.


August

[30] Stevie is featured on the latest NPR show, What's Good with Stretch & Bobbito. He talks about almost getting dropped from Motown, campaigning for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, how he knew Barack Obama would become president and missing Prince. listen to the show below:


[01] Stevie is on the bill for this year's Global Citizen Festival to be held in Central Park, New York on Sept 23rd. He also played at this event back in 2013. It will be broadcast on US TV MSNBC and also streamed live on YouTube.

July

[20] Stevie is officially married again. He tied the knot with fiancée Tomeeka Robyn Bracy at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles over the weekend. Guests included Pharell Wiliams, Usher, Babyface and John Legend. All of his children were involved in the wedding.

June

[22] Stevie spoke out about Black Lives Matter and youth gun violence at the North Minneapolis Conference on Peace on Saturday 17th June. He said "It is in your hands to stop all of the killing and the shooting wherever it might be. You cannot say, 'Black lives matter,' and then kill yourselves. Because you know we've mattered long before it was said, but the way we show that we matter, the way that we show all the various people of color matter is by loving each other and doing something about it. Not just talking about it, not just waiting to see the media and press come when there's a horrible thing. The first thing you must do is stop believing the fallacy of you not being important. Because it is completely unacceptable for one to hate themselves so much that anyone that looks like you, you want to kill."
Several hundred people attended the conference, which focused on violence on city streets and also included an appearance by civil rights leader Benjamin Chavis. After speaking, Wonder closed the event by performing his hits "Love's in Need of Love Today" and "Higher Ground."
"The first thing you must do is stop believing the fallacy of you not being important. Because it is completely unacceptable for one to hate themselves so much that anyone that looks like you, you want to kill."
See some of his speech here:



[05] Stevie appeared last night at the Ariana Grande hosted One Love Manchester Concert via video link saying to the large audience: “I’m with all of you in Manchester. We all know that love is truly the key. I don’t care what ethnicity you are, what religion you are. Love really is the way. And anyone that tries to make anyone think that things of destruction have anything to do with God, with Allah, they’re a lie. Yes, I stand with you, Manchester.” He then played a snippet of Love's In Need Of Love Today on the Harpeji.


May

[24] Stevie is scheduled to play the post-race closing concert at the US Formula One Grand Prix in Austin, Texas on Sunday October 22nd 2017.

[23] Stevie was one of eight people — including Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis and former Secretary of State John Kerry receiving honorary degrees Monday at Yale University. The University concert band played "I Wish," while Wonder smiled wide and held his award high.
Announcing Wonder, President Salovey praised the singer’s many musical contributions as well as his humanitarian and philanthropic efforts, saying: “’The Music of Your Mind’ has brought joy to millions. You told us to ‘Clap our hands/just a little bit louder,’ and the whole world clapped along. A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer with 25 Grammy Awards and an Oscar, you have always sung to us in the ‘Key of Life,’ while working to help the poor, sick, and marginalized. Whether you were ‘Living for the City’ or speaking up for ‘Misrepresented People,’ you brought us to ‘Higher Ground,’ with your incisive protest songs. And you got the whole country to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Dr. King, helping establish a national holiday in his honor. Sorcerer of song, in appreciation of your irresistible music and your courageous humanitarian efforts, we are proud to present you with this Doctor of Muisc degree: ‘Signed, sealed, delivered, it’s yours!”



[19] Apple has been celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day all week, highlighting its Accessibility features and sharing the stories of those who use them. To cap off its celebrations, Apple yesterday held a concert at its headquarters with Stevie.

[13] Happy Birthday To You - Stevie Wonder

[08] A clear blue sky offered a bit of insurance for Stevie's return to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival after heavy rains cancelled his set in 2016. On Saturday, after speaking of unity and political matters he got stuck into his set with his 14 member band.



April

[18] Stevie penned a tribute to Sylvia Moy in a letter to Rolling Stone. In it he wrote:

[17] Songwriter and producer Sylvia Moy, who co-wrote many early songs with Stevie while breaking barriers for women at Motown Records, died Saturday night at Beaumont Hospital in Dearborn. She was 78. Moy co-wrote Stevie's second Top 10 hit, Uptight (Everything’s Alright). Often in tandem with collaborator Hank Cosby, she went on to co-write other key Wonder hits — including I Was Made to Love Her, My Cherie Amour and Never Had A Dream Come True — along with the Isley Brothers’ This Old Heart of Mine and the Marvin Gaye-Kim Weston duet It Takes Two.

Thank you for the music          R.I.P Sept 15 1938 ~ Apr 15 2017

Stevie songs co-written with Sylvia Moy  - Nothing's Too Good For My Baby  - Uptight (Everything's Alright)  - Ain't That Asking For Trouble  - With A Child's Heart  - Thank You Love  - Be Cool, Be Calm (And Keep Yourself Together)  - Sylvia  - Angel Baby (Don't You Ever Leave Me)  - I Was Made To Love Her  - I'd Cry  - Everytime I See You I Go Wild  - I'm Wondering  - Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day  - I Wanna Make Her Love Me  - I'd Be A Fool Right Now  - Do I Love Her  - My Cherie Amour  - Somebody Knows, Somebody Cares  - Angie Girl  - I've Got You  - Never Had A Dream Come True  - You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover

 

[16] ASCAP president Paul Williams joined Janelle Monáe to present Stevie with the inaugural ASCAP Key of Life Award named after his 1976 classic album. Monáe gave Stevie a kiss on the cheek during their one-on-one interview at the 'I Create Music' Expo in Los Angeles yesterday.


March 2017

[27] On Saturday night Stevie joined an array of stars to celebrate Elton John's 70th Birthday. He performed his 'Happy Birthday' alongside Lady Gaga.
[27] Stevie, Celine Dion, Ed Sheeran and John Travolta are part of Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees. The two-hour special will air at 8 p.m. April 16 on CBS.
[16] Stevie to give the keynote address at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers’ annual ASCAP I Create Music Expo on April 13th in Los Angeles. He will also be presented with ASCAP’s first Key of Life award which in the future will be presented to songwriters and composers who best exemplify Stevie's legacy through talent, dedication and unparalleled heart. ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams said “Stevie has deservedly been given every award imaginable, yet he continues to innovate and elevate the art of songwriting to the point where no honor can truly capture what he means to his creative kin at ASCAP, and to songwriters and music lovers worldwide. This award has been created as a way to honor his singularly inspirational songwriting career and to recognize his spirit in generations to come.”

[16] Stevie makes case for fair treatment of independent radio station owners in an editorial in Bilboard Magazine. Read edtorial here.

January 2017

[25] Stevie helps a musician, Grayson Erhard, in the foyer of a hotel during the NAMM Convention in Anaheim over the weekend with completing his rendition of Superstition.


[14] On Thursday ABC TV aired Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories That Changed America. Recorded last September in honor of the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture, the two-hour special reflected on black experience in the US. The special ended on a hopeful note, with Stevie reminding the audience of the power of performance to advance liberation. "Tonight, we make history," he says. "Tomorrow, our children will make history, at least those who survive. We are a story of … standing up and standing together. Remember for our future, do not forget today and remember still love’s in need of love today."
"Let’s get it," he said before launching into the night’s final tunes: Love’s in Need of Love Today and Higher Ground.

[14] Michelle Obama was left teary-eyed after Stevie serenaded her with a medley of Isn't She Lovely and My Cherie Amour, singing 'you'll always be First Lady in our minds'. Mrs Obama appeared on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday night. The First Lady was emotional as Stevie dedicated his musical set to her with special versions of his hit songs.




[10] Stevie was honoured at the The Art of Elysium awards 10th Annual Heaven Gala on Sunday. He was the Visionary Recipient at the evening's event, which took place at Red Studios, where he took to the stage to perform his version of 'Heaven', as well as 'Sketches of a Life', 'They Won't Go When I Go' and 'You Are The Sunshine Of My Life.'
Speaking at the event, he said:'Heaven is love. Heaven is life. I think what we have is all twisted on this planet. We are not doing what we need to do to make Earth as it is in Heaven because that is what I believe it is supposed to be.' Below Stevie performing and on the red carpet with actress Camilla Belle.