Stevie Wonder to be Feted at Apollo Theater Spring Gala

Stevie Wonder will be in good company when the Apollo Theater inducts him into its Legends Hall of Fame this spring.

The Motown Records icon will be honored during the famed venue's annual spring gala, which brings together the best and brightest in business and entertainment to raise money to support the theater's remarkable legacy and its current initiatives for emerging artists and community and educational programs.

Officially billed as the Gala Benefit Concert and Awards Ceremony, this year's star-studded festivities will take place June 13. The event is the Apollo's largest annual fundraiser, and all proceeds will benefit the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

"Stevie Wonder is a true Apollo Legend and an American classic, and we look forward to welcoming him home in June and presenting him with the Apollo's highest honor," said Apollo Theater President and CEO Jonelle Procope. "Stevie is irrefutable proof of the Apollo's continuing power as a transformative cultural force in America and around the world."

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Stevie Wonder: Through The Years

Stevie Wonder: Through The Years
A musical prodigy who became a Motown staple, signing to the label at the age of 11, Stevie Wonder's music has been the soundtrack for so many people's lives during the past five decades. Black Voices takes a look at Stevie Wonder: Through the Years.

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Stevie Wonder: Through The Years

Stevie Wonder was born Steveland Hardaway Judkins (later taking the name Steveland Morris when his mother married) in Saginaw, Michigan on May 13, 1950. However, he would spend his formidable years growing up in Detroit, Michigan.

Stevie Wonder: Through The Years

Born premature, Steveland was placed in an incubator for oxygen treatment. He suffered blindness after receiving too much oxygen in the incubator.

Stevie Wonder: Through The Years

Stevie Wonder signed to Motown Records at 11 years old after being discovered by Ronnie White of the Miracles. Motown founder Berry Gordy is credited with changing Stevie's name to "Little Stevie Wonder."

Stevie Wonder: Through The Years

Stevie Wonder wrote his first published song, "Lonely Boy" at the tender age of 10.

Stevie Wonder: Through The Years

At the age of 13, Stevie Wonder has his first hit "Fingertips (Part 2)", which went on to sell 1.6 million copies (Source: Ebony, Jan. 1997).

Stevie Wonder: Through The Years

By the age of 21, Stevie Wonder had sold an estimated 35 million records. He left the Motown label in the early 1970s once his contract expired, because he wanted more artistic control. In an unprecedented deal, Wonder returned to Motown in 1972 with full creative control and the rights to his own songs.

Stevie Wonder: Through The Years

In 1970, Stevie Wonder married former Motown secretary Syreeta Wright, who co-wrote Stevie's hit "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours", but within two years the couple divorced. In 2001, Stevie married fashion designer Kai Milla Morris.

Stevie Wonder: Through The Years

In 1973, while on tour, Stevie Wonder was in a car accident that left him in a coma for several days, but he was back on tour within a year.

Stevie Wonder: Through The Years

Stevie Wonder has performed at numerous monumental events, including the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009 and the memorial service for the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson (also in 2009).

Stevie Wonder: Through The Years

Wonder, born Stevland Hardway Judkins in Saginaw, Mich., in 1950, joins past Apollo Legends Halls inductees, such as Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, James Brown and Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, who was celebrated last year.

Each Apollo Legends Hall of Fame Inductee is honored with a plaque on the Apollo Walk of Fame, installed under the theater's iconic marquee.

The 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' singer-songwriter first appeared at the Apollo Theater in 1962 when he was 12 years old. At that time, he was called Little Stevie Wonder, and was already touring as a professional act (and was the only child act) as part of Berry Gordy's Motown Revue. Other notable Apollo appearances include the 'Save the Apollo Concert' in the 1980s and sold-out solo concerts in 2005.

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