Wonder, Stevie

1950 - Stevie Wonder, Stevland Hardaway Judkins, was born on the 13th of, name later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris). An African American singer, songwriter, record producer, musician, and social activist. Was born prematurely in Saginaw, Michigan to Lula Mae Hardaway. It is thought that he received excessive oxygen levels in his incubator which led to retinopathy of prematurity, a destructive ocular disorder affecting the retina, characterized by abnormal growth of blood vessels, scarring, and sometimes retinal detachment.

1962 - At the age of 11, Stevland Morris was introduced to Ronnie White of the popular Motown act The Miracles. White brought Morris and his mother to Motown Records. Impressed by the young musician, Motown CEO Berry Gordy signed Morris to Motown's Tamla label as Little Stevie Wonder.

1963 - Little Stevie Wonder had his first major hit, "Fingertips (Pt. 2)", a single taken from a live recording of a Motown Revue performance. The song, featuring Wonder on vocals, congas, and harmonica, and a young Marvin Gaye on drums, was a #1 hit on the US pop charts and launched him into the public consciousness.

1970 - Had scored more major hits, including "I Was Made to Love Her", "For Once in My Life", "My Cherie Amour", and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)". Besides being one of the first songs on which Wonder serves as both songwriter and producer.

         - Married Syreeta Wright, on the 14th of September. Wonder and Wright divorced eighteen months later, but they continued to collaborate on musical projects.

1989 - Inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1999 - Received the Polar Music Prize and Kennedy Center Honors.

2004 - Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #15 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

2005 - His last child, Mandla Kadjay Carl Stevland Morris, was born on the 13th of May, and is the second child of Wonder and his current wife, fashion designer Kai Milla Morris.

2006 - Received new national exposure on the top-rated American Idol television program on March. Each of 12 contestants were required to sing one of his songs, after having met and received guidance from him.