Stevie Wonder is on the road again. His Songs in the Key of Life 50th Anniversary Tour opened in Birmingham on 13 October 2026 and runs through the UK, Europe and the US until a Los Angeles finale on 19 December.
Signed to Motown as a child, he grew into one of the most gifted songwriters and musicians of the last century, with 25 Grammys to his name. Find more soul greats in our R&B music collection.
Stevie Wonder Fact File
| Full name | Stevland Hardaway Morris (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins) |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 May 1950 (age 76) |
| Place of birth | Saginaw, Michigan, USA |
| Nationality | American (also granted Ghanaian citizenship in 2024) |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer |
| Years active | 1961-present |
| Genres | Soul, R&B, funk, pop, jazz |
| Labels | Tamla / Motown; So What the Fuss Records |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboards and synthesisers, harmonica, drums |
| Nickname | Little Stevie Wonder (early career) |
Career History
| Years | Label | Key albums |
|---|---|---|
| 1962-1963 | Tamla | The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie, Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius |
| 1971-1972 | Tamla | Where I'm Coming From, Music of My Mind, Talking Book |
| 1973-1974 | Tamla | Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale |
| 1976 | Tamla | Songs in the Key of Life |
| 1979-1980 | Tamla | Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants", Hotter than July |
Years show album release dates. Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale and Songs in the Key of Life each won the Grammy for Album of the Year.
A Child Prodigy at Motown
Born in Saginaw and raised in Detroit, he signed to Motown's Tamla label at just 11, and the label renamed him Little Stevie Wonder. In 1963 the live single "Fingertips" made him, at 13, the youngest artist to top the US Billboard Hot 100.
Through the 1960s he grew from novelty to hitmaker, writing and co-writing more and more of his own material.
Show some soul with our Stevie Wonder Men's Hoodie.
Creative Control and the Classic Period
Turning 21 in 1971, he negotiated a new deal giving him artistic control. What followed was one of pop's great runs: Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions and Fulfillingness' First Finale, built on his pioneering use of synthesisers.
Hits such as "Superstition" and "Higher Ground" came from these records, and he won Album of the Year in back-to-back years.
Celebrate the classic albums with the Stevie Wonder Men's T-Shirt.
Songs in the Key of Life
Released in 1976, the double album Songs in the Key of Life topped the Billboard 200 and won him a third Album of the Year, with songs such as "Sir Duke" and "Isn't She Lovely". Its 50th anniversary is the reason for this year's tour.
Keep it simple with the Stevie Wonder Music Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
Later Career and Campaigning
His 1980 album Hotter than July included "Happy Birthday", central to his campaign to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a US federal holiday. In 1985 "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from The Woman in Red won him the Oscar for Best Original Song. He is still recording and touring today.
Honours
Music Awards
- 25 Grammy Awards from 75 nominations
- Album of the Year three times (1974, 1975, 1977)
- Academy Award for Best Original Song, 1985
Halls of Fame
- Songwriters Hall of Fame, 1983
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1989
Civic Honours
- Kennedy Center Honors, 1999
- UN Messenger of Peace, 2009
- Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2014
Away From the Spotlight
Away from the studio he has long championed civil rights, and in 2009 he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace with a focus on people with disabilities. In 2024 Ghana granted him citizenship on his 74th birthday.
FAQs
How old is Stevie Wonder?
Stevie Wonder was born on 13 May 1950, so he is 76.
What is Stevie Wonder's real name?
He was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins; his surname later became Morris. Motown gave him the stage name Little Stevie Wonder.
Where was Stevie Wonder born?
Saginaw, Michigan. He grew up in Detroit.
How many Grammys has Stevie Wonder won?
25, including Album of the Year three times.
Has Stevie Wonder won an Oscar?
Yes. "I Just Called to Say I Love You" won Best Original Song at the 1985 Academy Awards.
Is Stevie Wonder touring in 2026?
Yes. The Songs in the Key of Life 50th Anniversary Tour began in Birmingham on 13 October 2026 and ends in Los Angeles on 19 December.
Shop the Stevie Wonder Collection
Every design below is a tribute fan piece, made to order in the UK.
Browse more soul and R&B legends in our R&B Music and Music collections. Want your own name on the back? Try our Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Michael Jackson and Prince.
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