News Digest

Stars of the music industry gather to pay tribute to Stevie Wonder

Instead of returning home after Sunday’s Grammy Awards, some of the reigning stars of the music world lingered in Los Angeles to film a tribute concert to singer, songwriter and musician Stevie Wonder on Tuesday. Among those on hand to hail Wonder for his contributions to R&B, soul, pop and jazz over half a century, were Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, Tony Bennet, Lady Gaga, Pharrell Williams, Ryan Tedder (frontman of OneRepublic), and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. “I see a lot of people here,” joked Wonder, who has been blind since shortly after birth, when he appeared on stage.

People throw the word genius around a lot, but Stevie Wonder you truly are a genius.

Lady Gaga, speaking before her performance of “I Wish”

Wonder’s daughter Aisha joined R&B singer Ne-Yo for “Isn’t She Lovely,” the song he wrote at her birth, and said “I love you, Daddy”. Annie Lennox, John Legend, Janelle Monae, Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson were also among the evening’s performers, many of whom praised his love songs. Wonder, now 64, holds the distinction of having won 25 Grammy awards, more than any other artist. He also won Album of the Year three times in the space of four years, in 1973, 1974 and 1976, the last one for his most famous work “Songs in the Key of Life.”