Considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Steveland Morris (1950–) was born on this day in Saginaw, Michigan and lost his eyesight as a newborn. By age ten, he wrote his first song and could play the piano, drums, and harmonica.

"Harmonica, bongos, and hooky," he recalled with characteristic wit. The boy wonder became Stevie Wonder, a teenage sensation who matured into a profound innovator of popular music.

"Just because one cannot see, doesn't mean he has no vision. And just because one cannot walk, doesn't mean he can't go the distance," said the spiritual optimist.

Wonder signed with Motown Records in 1963. His first single was the instrumental Fingertips, followed by a stream of hits, including I Was Made to Love Her (1967), For Once in My Life (1968), My Cherie Amour (1969), and Signed, Sealed, Delivered (1970).

In 1971, with a new contract and full artistic control, Wonder created even greater music as he experimented with synthesizers and studio layering. Playing virtually all the instruments on his songs, he explained, “I love creating the whole sonic experience.”

Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, Stevie's performances are radiant with music and love. His head rocks back and forth, side to side—rapture in motion. His harmonica sings. His drums pulse like a second heartbeat. A legend: there is only one Stevie Wonder.

“When I write, I try to capture the feelings in my music, the way I am feeling inside,” Stevie explained. “I sometimes go back years later and listen to my songs to feel what I was feeling then and to measure if I still feel that way now...”

“...to make sure they can still evoke the same feelings I had when I wrote them. When they can, I know I succeeded in getting my real feelings in them.”