Singer/songwriter Stevie Wonder, the awardee of the second Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, premieres "Sketches of a Life," a sprawling, hybrid pop-classical concerto, written between 1976 and 1994. The work was unveiled through a commission for the Library of Congress in the Coolidge Auditorium.

Speaker Biography: Born in Saginaw, Michigan in 1950, Stevie Wonder became blind shortly after birth. He learned to play the harmonica, piano and drums by age 9. By the time he was 10, his singing and other musical skills were known throughout his neighborhood, and when the family moved to Detroit, impressed adults made his talents known to the owners of Motown Records, who gave him a recording contract when he was age 12. His early hits included "Fingertips," "Uptight (Everything's All Right)" "For Once in My Life," "My Cherie Amour," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours," and "If You Really Love Me." He undertook the study of classical piano, and later, music theory, and beginning in 1967, he began writing more of his own material. In the early 1970s, Wonder toured with the Rolling Stones and had major hits with the songs "Superstition" and "You are the Sunshine of My Life." In the mid-70s, his album "Songs in the Key of Life" topped the charts for 14 weeks. Over the years Stevie Wonder has garnered 25 Grammy Awards, as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. He collected an Academy Award for the 1984 hit "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from the film The Woman in Red. In 1989, he was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. In 1999, Stevie became the youngest honoree of the Kennedy Center Honors. He was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 2002, and in 2004 he won the Johnny Mercer Award in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding creative work. In 2005, the Library of Congress added Stevie Wonder's 1976 double album "Songs in the Key of Life" to the National Recording Registry, which recognizes recordings that are "culturally, historically or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States."

Rating:
  • Currently 0/5 stars.

Views: 40

Comment

You need to be a member of True Skool Network to add comments!

Join True Skool Network

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

Kamaiyah
Saturday, Mar 14 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Ohgeesy
Friday, Mar 27 @ UC Theatre, Berkeley

Juvenile
Friday, June 5 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Connect

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Latest Activity

Editor's Pick posted discussions
5 hours ago
Editor's Pick posted videos
Wednesday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

Elevation (1st Fridays) with Renoir & Hannah Lee at Golden Ratio, Oakland

April 3, 2026 at 9pm to October 3, 2026 at 1:45pm
FRIDAY, APR 3 True Skool presents ELEVATION (1st Fridays)Featuring:DJ Kincaid Renoir (aka Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist)@ Golden Ratio, 1517 Franklin St., Oakland 21+ / Doors 9pm / FREE B4 10pmFree B4 11pm with RSVP: http://bit.ly/elevationfirstfridayABOUTELEVATION is a brand new party series! Curated by renowned DJ and crate-digger…See More
Wednesday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Wednesday
Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

Aintwidit Brings Miami Energy to the Streets with New Single “Zelle”

Miami, Florida rap group Aintwidit is continuing to build momentum with the release of their new single “Zelle”. Representing the raw energy and entrepreneurial mindset of the city, the group has spent over a decade grinding in the music industry while building their brand under their independent label Aintwidit Recordz. Comprised of members Mike Dangerous, Chico Peso, and El Don,…See More
Wednesday
An event by Editor's Pick was featured
Thumbnail

Hot 8 Brass Band with DJ Renoir at Cornerstone, Berkeley

April 4, 2026 from 6pm to 7pm
SATURDAY, APR 4Hot 8 Brass Band - Big Tuba Tour 2026at Cornerstone, Berkeley Doors 7 PM. Show 8:00 PM PDT >> BUY TICKETS…See More
Wednesday
Editor's Pick posted an event
Thumbnail

Hot 8 Brass Band with DJ Renoir at Cornerstone, Berkeley

April 4, 2026 from 6pm to 7pm
SATURDAY, APR 4Hot 8 Brass Band - Big Tuba Tour 2026at Cornerstone, Berkeley Doors 7 PM. Show 8:00 PM PDT >> BUY TICKETS…See More
Wednesday
Kevin Nelson posted an event
Thumbnail

Macbeth: A New Modern Verse Translation by Migdalia Cruz at Magic Theatre, San Francisco, CA

March 18, 2026 at 8pm to April 5, 2026 at 4pm
Migdalia Cruz’ new version of Macbeth cuts to the grief and core of Shakespeare’s classic like you've never seen before!Director Liam Vincent brings the scene to 1970s New York in this queer telling.Featuring Sarah Nina Hayon as Lady Macbeth and Catherine Castellanos as Macbeth. The rest of this stellar cast includes Nora el Samahy, Juan Amador, Kina Kantor, Danny Scheie and Brian Rivera.See More
Tuesday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Monday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

OhGeesy (WIN TICKETS) at UC Theatre, Berkeley

March 27, 2026 from 7pm to 11pm
ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND ANNOUNCED 2 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT.  FRIDAY, MAR 27 OhgeesyThe UC Theatre, 2036 University Ave., Berkeley Doors: 7:00 pm. Show: 8:00 pm All Ages >>…See More
Monday
Editor's Pick posted a video

T.I. - LET 'EM KNOW (Official Video)

"Let 'Em Know" from the upcoming project 'Kill The King' T.I. Is Back!!Stream: https://empire.ffm.to/letemknow-saveProducer/DirectorHype WilliamsAsst Directo...
Monday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Saturday

© 2026   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service