In 1988, he announced his interest in running for mayor of Detroit in the 1992 election. However, he never followed through with a campaign.
In addition to his being blind, he also has loss of smell due to a 1973 car crash in North Carolina from which he also has a scar.
In his acceptance speech for the Oscar for Best Song in 1984, Wonder dedicated his award to imprisoned civil rights leader Nelson Mandela. The South African government promptly banned Wonder's music from the country.
Inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame in 2011.
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983.
Joined friends Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight and Elton John on the 1986 chart-topper "That's What Friends Are For", the proceeds of which were donated to AIDS research. Also played harmonica on the recording.
Named U.N. Messenger of Peace [December 2, 2009].
Oddly enough, two other vocalists introduced his 1973 smash hit "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" (from album "Talking Book") before Wonder actually sang any lyrics. Respectively, these singers were James Gilstrap and Lani Groves.
Played harmonica on Chaka Khan's 1984 hit "I Feel For You"
Received the Second Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song on February 25, 2009. Selection was announced September 2008.
Recorded an instrumental jazz album under the name "Eivets Rednow" ("Stevie Wonder" spelled backwards).
Shortly after reaching his 21st birthday in the spring of 1971, he became the first Motown Recording artist to gain complete artistic control of his records.
Son of Lula Mae Hardaway.
The funky "guitar riff" that underscores most of his song "Superstition" was actually generated on a Hohner D6 Clavinet keyboard that is still, to this day, a mainstay among Wonder's array of keyboard instruments.
Voted the ninth greatest singer of the rock era in a Rolling Stone magazine poll in 2008.
Wrote "Superstition" originally for friend Jeff Beck while completing his 1973 album "Talking Book." Though Beck had actually recorded the number in 1972, Motown rush-released Wonder's cut ahead of the album, and "Superstition" became his second number one hit in January 1973
Wrote the tribute for Mariah Carey's endorsement in Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" (Artists & Entertainers section / Issue May 12, 2008).