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Title: Perfect Angel - Stevie Wonder Tribute to Minnie Riperton 1979 View count: 124528 Rating: 4.9525223 (337 ratings) Description: Stevie Wonder (born Steveland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, name later changed to Steveland Hardaway Morris) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. A prominent figure of 20th century popular music, Wonder has recorded more than thirty top ten hits, won twenty-five Grammy Awards (a record for a solo artist), plus one for lifetime achievement, won an Academy Award for Best Song and been inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters halls of fame. Opera star Luciano Pavarotti once referred to him in a concert as a "great, great musical genius". A multi-instrumentalist, Wonder plays the piano, synthesizer, talk box, harmonica, congas, drums, bongos, bass guitar, organ, melodica, and clarinet. In his early career, he was best known for his harmonica work, but today he is better known for his keyboard skills. His backup group Wonderlove (a trio) included at various times Minnie Riperton. In fact she sang she on Stevie Wonder's Fulfillingness' First Finale and toured as a member of his backing unit in the early 70s. Wonder agreed to co-produce Riperton's 1974 album Perfect Angel (also the title of his farewell song to her), which contained the international blockbuster "Lovin' You"; the record made her a household name. Diagnosed with breast cancer, she underwent a mastectomy in 1976, later becoming a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and earning a Society Courage Award from then-President Jimmy Carter. Riperton continued performing despite her declining condition, with 1979's Minnie the final record completed during her lifetime. She died in L.A. on July 12 of that year—the same year that Mr. Wonder put out his 'Perfect Angel' tribute to her. Similar artists include: Deniece Williams, Chaka Khan, Randy Crawford, Patrice Rushen, Leon Ware, Rotary Connection, Richard Rudolph, Janet Jackson, Maya Rudolph, Teena Marie, Mariah Carey, Terry Ellis, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, India.Arie, Teedra Moses, Eric Clapton, Jim Morrison, Curtis Mayfield, Bobby Womack, Sly & the Family Stone, Donny Hathaway, Jackson 5, Temptations, Spinners, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Chi-Lites, Rick James, Nile Rodgers, Quincy Jones, Dionne Warwick, The Funk Brothers, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles Related words include: 1970s, 1970's, 70's, disco, funky, live audience, rock & roll, afros, musical talent, skills, blind, live concerts, life, genius, geniuses, sensation, sensational, prodigy, musician, musicians, pianist, pianists Tags: piano, seventies, lovin, you, soul, r&b, love, ballad, pop, jazz, celebration, honor, respect, homage, classic, memorial, harmony, melody, Author: Insightful |
