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Stevie's still got soul

David Sue
3/ 9/2008

IF MADONNA or Michael Jackson have any concerns about slowing down now they’ve reached the grand old age of 50, they need only take a leaf out of Stevie Wonder’s book.

Despite recently turning 58, the Motown soul icon is currently enjoying his most creatively prolific period for years.

Wonder recently revealed he has THREE new albums in progress, as well as working on a special ‘performance piece’ describing his experiences as a blind man. On top of that, he’s due to embark on his first major European tour for over 10 years. For this most iconic of soul performers, it seems life really did begin at 50.

Then again, Stevie Wonder has always been a musician with a point to prove. As a youngster he overcame poverty and blindness from birth to become a child prodigy, mastering the piano before signing to Motown at the age of 11. At the dawn of his recording career, he was famously quoted as saying: "Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes, it doesn’t mean he lacks vision."

It was a valid point – as soul performers go, they don’t come any more visionary than Stevie Wonder. In the mid-Seventies, he single-handedly redefined the R&B/soul genre – seminal albums like Songs in the Key of Life were musically intelligent (incorporating the use of synthesizers) as well as brave in their subject matter, tackling subjects like war and religion.

Wonder’s mid-Eighties output arguably suffered from a bit too much cheese (the nadir being I Just Called to Say I Love You), but his overall legacy is long-lasting and unmatched. He’s won an incredible 26 Grammy awards, whilst musicians like George Michael, Pavarotti and Alicia Keys have all cited his influence (some might say Alicia Keys has based her entire career on the man).

This week’s MEN Arena gig is followed by a second date in October, proving that life on the road is more addictive than ever for Wonder. At the age of 58, this soul visionary shows no sign of losing his bearings.

Stevie Wonder plays MEN Arena on Tuesday, September 9 and Friday, October 3. For tickets priced from £55 plus booking fee ring 0844 847 8000 or visit www.ticketline.co.uk.