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Stevie Wonder at the BBC

The musical genius discusses his finest recordings and compositions, touching on his beginnings with Motown and focusing on social issues in an America that changed as he grew up.

In interviews on BBC radio, the multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer and singer Stevie Wonder talks about his beginnings, at the age of 11, in Detroit’s Motown Records - watching and learning from the in-house engineers and session band The Funk Brothers, as well as Diana Ross, The Supremes and The Temptations, following advice from Smokey Robinson and arguing with Berry Gordy.

Stevie talks about offering Superstition to Jeff Beck before his legendary Talking Book album was released. He also goes into detail about the process of writing, recording and performing many classics. He discusses his groundbreaking work on social issues in America, including tributes to Martin Luther King and Bob Marley.

Renowned for his sense of humour, Stevie tries out his cockney accent on Steve Wright and Tim Smith. Often his keyboard was close by, and so, with Trevor Nelson, Stevie plays excerpts from and ad libs around his all-time favourite from the album Songs In The Key Of Life. Many of Stevie’s worldwide successes such as As, Living For The City, Higher Ground, Master Blaster, My Cherie Amour, I Wish and Sir Duke are included.

9 days left to listen

58 minutes

Music Played

  • Stevie Wonder

    Uptight (Everything's Alright)

    • Dancing In The Street (Various Artis.
    • Universal Music Tv.
  • Stevie Wonder

    For Once In My Life

    • Stevie Wonder Greatest Hits Vol.2.
    • Motown.
  • Stevie Wonder

    My Cherie Amour

    • Soul (Various Artists).
    • Polygram Tv.
  • Stevie Wonder

    Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours

    • You've Got Mail (Film S/Track).
    • Warner Sunset/Atlantic.
  • Stevie Wonder

    If You Really Love Me

    • Stevie Wonder Greatest Hits Vol.2.
    • Motown.
  • Stevie Wonder

    Superstition

    • Motown.
  • Stevie Wonder

    You Are The Sunshine Of My Life

    • Stevie Wonder Ballad Collection.
    • Motown.
  • Stevie Wonder

    Higher Ground

    • Motown Chartbusters Vol. 9 (Various Artists).
    • Spectrum Music.
  • Stevie Wonder

    Living For The City

    • Stevie Wonder - Song Review.
    • Motown.
  • Stevie Wonder

    I Wish

    • Motown Party (Various Artists).
    • Motown.
  • Stevie Wonder

    Sir Duke

    • Stevie Wonder - Song Review.
    • Motown.
  • Stevie Wonder

    Boogie On Reggae Woman

    • Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection.
    • Motown.
    • 6.
  • Stevie Wonder

    Master Blaster (Jammin')

    • Stevie Wonder - Song Review.
    • Motown.
  • Stevie Wonder

    Happy Birthday

    • Stevie Wonder - Song Review.
    • Universal.
  • Stevie Wonder

    As

    • Stevie Wonder - The Definitive Collec.
    • Universal.

Broadcast

  • Sun 11 May 2025 00:00