Living soul legend Stevie Wonder wrote Sir Duke in tribute to Duke Ellington,
the influential jazz legend who had died in 1974. The lyrics also refer to Count Basie,
Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald.
The song reached the number one spot on the US Singles Chart 45 years ago today, on 21 May 1972.
Tragic tearjerker I Don’t Want To Talk About It was written byDanny Whitten,
who was part of Neil Young‘s band Crazy Horse. He died at the early age of 29
following a drug overdose in 1972.
The cover of Scottish superstar Rod Stewart broke hearts all over the planet.
It topped the UKSingles Chart 45 years ago today, on 21 May 1977.
Artist: STEVIE WONDER
Born Stevland Hardaway Morris on May 13, 1950 Active: Since 1961 / 23 studio albums (so far)
with 2005 LP A Time To Love as the most recent one
Anniversary album: SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE – his 18th LP Released: 28 September 1976 – 45 years ago
Pitchfork: “Songs in the Key of Life” was the culmination of a historic period of creativity
for Stevie Wonder. Its ambition and scope were unprecedented, and he never approached
its caliber or impact again… The album—two LPs plus an additional four-song EP—was the culmination of a historic period of creativity, a concentrated burst of music matched only by a handful of artists (mid-’60s Bob Dylan, early ’70s Rolling Stones, ’80s Prince). Its ambition and scope were unprecedented, its power and resonance were timeless—and when it was done, he never approached its caliber or impact again.” Full review here. Score: 10/10.
Turn Up The Volume: Michael Jackson called himself
the King of Pop, but Stevie Wonder is the King of Soul.
Singles in the key of life: Sir Duke / I Wish / Isn’t She Lovely
Nashville crooners LAMBCHOP follow the row
of artists doing a cover in these wacky times.
They picked the song Golden Lady from the 1973 LP Innervisions by soul icon STEVIE WONDER and maestro Kurt Wagner gives it a tender and gentle touch
with his moody voice.
Only 12! That was STEVIE WONDER‘s age when he released his debut single ‘I CALL IT PRETTY MUSIC BUT THE OLD PEOPLE CALL IT THE BLUES‘. He didn’t write the song himself and it wasn’t a hit but this shaking little gem displayed the legend’s talent for the very first time, 57 years ago, on 16 August 1962. The start of an incredible career. Here’s that phenomenal kid…
This day 46 years ago, on 3 August 1973, soul and funk legend STEVIE WONDER released his 16th studio album, the highly praised Innervisions. One of the many highlights was ‘HIGHER GROUND’, a song about reincarnation. It was released as a single and reached number four on the Billboard Singles Chart and #1 on the US R&B Singles Chart. Here’s a vivid live version…
