Stevie Wonder: Songs stay with you forever

Stevie Wonder was born in 1950 in the industrial city of Saginaw,
Michigan, USA. Even from a young age, he displayed a great love
of music - first with a church choir, and then teaching himself
how to play a range of instruments, including the harmonica,
piano and drums, all before the age of 10. He was just 11 years
old when he was discovered and signed by the legendary Motown
record label - and the rest is history.


Across a career that’s spanned seven decades, he has sold over
100 million records worldwide, won numerous awards - including
multiple Grammys, a Golden Globe and even an Oscar, and received
the US Presidential Medal of Freedom too.


Over the years, Stevie has also used his platform to campaign on
social issues close to his heart. He’s long-advocated for greater
rights for disabled people around the world, and he successfully
spearheaded a movement to create a national holiday in the US to
recognise the birthday of the civil rights activist Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. He was also a vocal critic of apartheid in South
Africa and called for the release of Nelson Mandela.


In this wide-ranging interview, Stevie discusses his journey to
stardom, where he gets his creative spark, and speaking out
against injustice.


Thank you to the Sidetracked team for their help in making this
programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people
shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews
from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays
and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as
a podcast, out twice a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get
your podcasts.


Presenter: Annie Macmanus Producers: Ben Cooper and Gráinne
Morrison Editor: Justine Lang


Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the
hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.


(Image: Stevie Wonder Credit: Savion Washington/Getty Images)