Most of the world was introduced to Little Stevie Wonder with the release of his single “Fingertips” as Motown’s blind child prodigy at 12 years of age. Today at 64, Wonder has become the legendary musical genius who has recorded more than 30 U.S. top 10 hits, won 25 Grammy Awards and sold over 100 million records.
In September of 1976, Stevie released the double classic album titled Songs in the Key of Life, which became No. 1 on Billboard charts and is still considered his crowning masterpiece.
On April 14, 2015, Wonder performed the entire album at The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, in the final stop of a 22-date “Songs in the Key of Life” tour. Backed by 30 highly talented singers and musicians, Wonder’s incredible performance was extended to over three hours of sizzling hot funky music that consisted of 21 songs from the 1977 Grammy Award-winning album.
However, 10 minutes prior to the start of the concert, Wonder was escorted onstage by his longtime close friend, singer India.Arie. Standing near the front of the stage in the spotlight, the socially conscious artist said, “Today is the anniversary of 200 girls that were kidnapped from their school in Nigeria.” He asked everyone to reach out and contact their local leaders and fight to “bring our daughters back home.” He also spoke of unifying the world through peace and love.
Afterward, he sat at his piano and began singing “Love’s in Need of Love Today”. Followed by India. Arie joining him singing “Have a Talk With God” as her velvety smooth voice soared to the heavens. Later, she also joined Wonder on “Saturn,” “Ngiculela-Es Una Historia-I Am Singing” and “People Get Ready” (The Impressions cover).
Over three hours is somewhat long for most concerts, however, many of the fans said that they could have endured another hour enjoying such a historic and electrifying musical experience.
Six magnificent backup singers showcased their vocal prowess as soloists and as harmonizing ensembles.
At the end, Wonder stood up from his piano and yelled, “We did it! We played the entire “Songs in the Key of Life album!”
Just as the audience thought that this historic concert had ended, Wonder, stood up and was transformed into a very hip DJ named “Chek,Chek Boom” as he played funky songs as an imagined hip and cool club DJ.
Then, Wonder went back to his piano, playing “Superstition” as he raised the spirits of everybody inside Prudential Center as people were hollering “We Love you Stevie” while jumping up and dancing to Wonder’s pulsating rhythms.
Moments later, Wonder called Queen Latifah, BeBe Winans and India.Arie to the stage, where they sang Wonder’s songs in harmony and danced across the stage, while finally holding hands with the backup singers and musicians and collectively bowing to the audience in taking their final encore for the final concert of “Songs in the Key of Life” tour. –risasi zachariah dais
