Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Jenkins is what it may say on his birth certificate, but this world-renowned, transcendent artist is better known as Stevie Wonder. Even at birth, Stevie was ahead of his time. He was born premature and doctors were unsure if he would live. Stevie was placed in an incubator to save his life. As a result of the incubator supplying Stevie with too much oxygen, he was left blind. Throughout life, Stevie never let his disability hold him back. By age 10, he had already taught himself how to play a multitude of instruments including, piano, harmonica, and drums. Soon after, he was discovered by Motown Records and was dubbed “Little Stevie Wonder.” This child prodigy released his first album at age 12. Through his music, Wonder has painted beautiful imagery for us all to enjoy. Stevie Wonder has dedicated his life to music and has become one of the most innovative and talented musicians of a generation.
So what makes Stevie wonder so talented? Scientists suggest that the parts of the brain that are normally used for sight, such as the visual cortex, may be converted to enhancing a blind persons’ ability to process sound (Glass). Stevie admittingly developed a keen sense of hearing. “Sound bounces off everything…” Stevie says (Dragonwagon, 13). Hearing, uninfluenced by sight, gave Stevie the perception that has enabled him to become an innovator of melody, mood and lyrics. It was his sharp sense of hearing and perception of sound that is Stevie’s gift. But his talent didn’t stop at his natural gift. Stevie Wonder also has incredible drive and determination. He always strived to sharpen his musicianship and songwriting capabilities (Biography.com). It was this drive that was what led Stevie to stardom.
As a boy, Stevie Wonder was always drawn to music and showed an early gift as part of his church’s choir. Driven, Stevie never let his blindness hold him back. He says, “As many things as I could do, I did” (PBS, Wonder). Many people who
Stevland Hardaway Jenkins is what it may say on his birth certificate, but this world-renowned, transcendent artist is better known as Stevie Wonder. Even at birth, Stevie was ahead of his time. He was born premature and doctors were unsure if he would live. Stevie was placed in an incubator to save his life. As a result of the incubator supplying Stevie with too much oxygen, he was left blind. Throughout life, Stevie never let his disability hold him back. By age 10, he had already taught himself how to play a multitude of instruments including, piano, harmonica, and drums. Soon after, he was discovered by Motown Records and was dubbed “Little Stevie Wonder.” This child prodigy released his first album at age 12. Through his music, Wonder has painted beautiful imagery for us all to enjoy. Stevie Wonder has dedicated his life to music and has become one of the most innovative and talented musicians of a generation.
So what makes Stevie wonder so talented? Scientists suggest that the parts of the brain that are normally used for sight, such as the visual cortex, may be converted to enhancing a blind persons’ ability to process sound (Glass). Stevie admittingly developed a keen sense of hearing. “Sound bounces off everything…” Stevie says (Dragonwagon, 13). Hearing, uninfluenced by sight, gave Stevie the perception that has enabled him to become an innovator of melody, mood and lyrics. It was his sharp sense of hearing and perception of sound that is Stevie’s gift. But his talent didn’t stop at his natural gift. Stevie Wonder also has incredible drive and determination. He always strived to sharpen his musicianship and songwriting capabilities (Biography.com). It was this drive that was what led Stevie to stardom.
As a boy, Stevie Wonder was always drawn to music and showed an early gift as part of his church’s choir. Driven, Stevie never let his blindness hold him back. He says, “As many things as I could do, I did” (PBS, Wonder). Many people who