Music legend Stevie Wonder will be the second recipient of the U.S. Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The Gershwin Prize was established in tribute to the legendary duo of 20th century American composer George Gershwin and his lyricist brother Ira Gershwin.
The award presentation will take place in the Library’s Great Hall on Feb. 23, 2009. A concert celebrating the award is being planned for the following evening.
In addition to the prize, Wonder has accepted the Library’s offer of a musical commission. With that acceptance, Wonder enters a circle of noted composers — including Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and Paquito D’Rivera — who have received Library commissions.
“It’s an immense privilege to join such a remarkable roster of musicians and composers,” said Wonder in a statement. “I am touched to receive this honor and look forward to creating music for the celebration.”
A winner of 25 Grammy Awards, Wonder was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2005 the Library of Congress placed Wonder’s 1976 double album “Songs in the Key of Life” in the National Recording Registry, which recognizes recordings that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically important and/or inform or reflect life in the United States.”
The first Gershwin Prize — established in tribute to the legacy of composer siblings George and Ira Gershwin — was awarded in May 2007 to singer/songwriter Paul Simon. This year’s Prize advisory committee was comprised of Simon, singer/pianist Michael Feinstein, “Saturday Night Live” creator and producer Lorne Michaels, music producer Phil Ramone and New Orleans singer/songwriter/producer Allen Toussaint.
Source: Billboard – Stevie Wonder To Receive Gershwin Prize
Top photo: Stevie Wonder at the 39th NAACP Image Awards, February 14, 2008. (Photo credit: David Livingston/Getty Images North America); 2nd and 3rd photos: Stevie Wonder performs at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) August 28, 2008.(Photo credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)
Steve Wonder embarks on a European tour, beginning September 8, 2008 in Birmingham, England. (See: Stevie Wonder announces European Tour) He recently performed at the Democratic National Convention 2008 (DNC) at Invesco Field at Mile High August 28, 2008 in Denver, Colorado, the night of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama’s historic acceptance speech. Here is video of his performance.
Here is a classic television Stevie Wonder performance of his 1968 hit “For Once in My Life”
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Stevie Wonder to Receive U.S. Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song
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