Stevie Wonder was a session musician before going solo.
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Stevie Wonder, a renowned American singer, songwriter, and musician, began his career as a session musician before establishing himself as a successful solo artist. He displayed exceptional talent from a young age, earning him the opportunity to work with prominent musicians and contribute to various recording sessions.
One interesting quote about Stevie Wonder’s time as a session musician comes from the legendary producer, Quincy Jones, who said, “Stevie was an incredible studio musician. He could play anything – keyboards, harmonica, drums, bass. He was just a musical genius.” This highlights the remarkable versatility and skill that Wonder possessed as a session musician.
To delve further into this topic, here are some intriguing facts about Stevie Wonder’s session work:
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Early Exposure: Stevie Wonder signed a contract with Motown Records at the age of 11, which allowed him to meet and collaborate with artists like Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson. This early exposure to the music industry shaped his career immensely.
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Instrumental Contributions: Despite being primarily recognized as a vocalist and keyboardist, Stevie Wonder made significant instrumental contributions during his session work. He played the harmonica on many recordings, adding a distinctive and soulful sound to the tracks.
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Notable Collaborations: Wonder collaborated with renowned musicians and bands as a session artist, including the likes of The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Paul McCartney, among others. His exceptional talent elevated the quality of these recordings.
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Pseudonyms: During his time as a session musician, Stevie Wonder sometimes used pseudonyms to avoid contractual obligations. He would occasionally credit himself as “Eivets Rednow” (his name spelled backward) for certain projects.
Here is a table illustrating some of Stevie Wonder’s notable collaborations as a session musician:
| Artist | Song/Album |
|---|---|
| The Rolling Stones | “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” |
| Marvin Gaye | “What’s Going On” |
| Aretha Franklin | “Respect” |
| Ray Charles | “I Can’t Stop Loving You” |
| Paul McCartney | “Ebony and Ivory” (with Stevie Wonder) |
In summary, Stevie Wonder’s time as a session musician was a crucial stepping stone in his illustrious career. Working with various artists and lending his incredible musical talents to numerous recordings helped shape him into the iconic solo artist we know today.
Response video to “Who was a session musician before going solo?”
The video is about Lewis Capaldi’s song “Someone You Loved”. The lyrics talk about a past relationship that left him feeling alone and vulnerable, missing the support of his former partner. Capaldi reminisces about the way his past love helped him escape pain and longs to return to that feeling once again. Although the pain he experienced was brutal, he finds comfort in the memory of their time together, which still remains strong within him.
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