‘Songs are like a statement from the spirit of you, the spirit in you’

Annie Macmanus speaks to global music icon Stevie Wonder about his life and career. Stevie was born in 1950 in the industrial city of Saginaw in Michigan, USA. Even from a young age, he displayed a great love of music - first with a church choir, and then teaching himself how to play a range of instruments, including the harmonica, piano and drums - all before the age of 10.

He was just 11 years old when he was discovered and signed by the legendary Motown record label - and the rest is history.

Across a career that’s spanned seven decades, he’s sold over 100 million records worldwide, won numerous awards - including multiple Grammys, a Golden Globe and even an Oscar, and received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom too.

Over the years, Stevie has also used his platform to campaign on social issues close to his heart. He’s long-advocated for greater rights for disabled people around the world, and he successfully spearheaded a movement to create a national holiday in the US to recognise the birthday of the civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was also a vocal critic of apartheid in South Africa and called for the release of Nelson Mandela.

In this wide-ranging interview, Stevie discusses his journey to stardom, where he gets his creative spark, and speaking out against injustice.

Thank you to the Sidetracked team for their help in making this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presenter: Annie Macmanus Producers: Ben Cooper and Gráinne Morrison Editor: Justine Lang

Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

(Image: Stevie Wonder Credit: Savion Washington/Getty Images)

Stevie Wonder: songs stay with you forever

The Interview