Stevie Wonder- the greatest of all musicians and singers.

Stevie Wonder- the greatest of all musicians and singers.

Motown records must have thought all their birthdays had come at once. When the 11 year old Stevie Wonder walked into those celebrated studios, the world spun on its axis, the angels sang and a star was born. Little Stevie, complete with resonant harmonica and a banquet of talent, sat down at the piano, tapped those keys with a tantalising glimpse of what was to come and then set down those heavenly lyrics. There was  all of the energy and exuberance of youth about him that would hold his phenomenal worldwide fan base in thrall for years and decades.

From the earliest 1960s to the present day Stevie Wonder remains one of the most versatile, accomplished, creative, ground breaking, innovative, relentlessly prolific and pioneering soul singers of all time. Throughout the 1960s, he broke down all racial barriers, healing potentially poisonous rifts between black and white people at the time and then became the triumphant ambassador for race relations in every corner of the world.

The Stevie Wonder back catalogue is both illustrious and rightly admired by his legion of fans around the world. The vast number of gold and platinum records that have sold in their millions are another reminder of the man's remarkably enduring popularity and his continuing status as one of the most influential and pacifying forces in a world that refuses to get on with each other.

During last night's excellent BBC tribute to the music prodigy that is Stevie Wonder, we wandered down memory lane and found some of those familiar love anthems sounding as fresh as ever. There was the very early 'Uptight', 'Signed, Sealed and Delivered as Stevie shook his tambourine, gently cradled the harmonica and then entertained an adoring American audience during an early 1960s TV show over and over again.

It wasn't long before Wonder spread his crusading message across the TV and radio airwaves. Soon there would follow the sumptuously beautiful 'Ma Cherie Amor' before the 1970s produced a dazzling set of rubies, emeralds and diamonds. There was 'Superstition' the magnificent 'Higher Ground' and the extraordinarily successful album 'Inner Visions' which was spoken about in messianic terms by those who simply couldn't get enough of Stevie.

The whistles and bells reception which greeted the stupendous 'Songs in the Key of Life' sent huge ripples of excitement around the globe once again. The bright orange album cover, with its strikingly wavy effects, takes pride of place in our record collection. 'Songs in the Key of Life' gave us a glittering treasure trove of hit singles, top of the chart classics and a delectable selection of album tracks with that special hallmark of genius.

There was 'Isn't She Lovely' one of the most stunningly crafted love songs ever written although we were reminded that it was Stevie Wonder's affectionate tribute to his newly born daughter. The sentiments within the song were an appropriate homage to Stevie's favourite people and loves. It was a track coated with engaging sentimentality.

Then there was 'Sir Duke', his tipping of the hat to the great Duke Ellington, full of unashamed soul and dynamic funk. 'I Wish' also hits the right note, a joyous fusion of soul, disco and throbbing dance music as people bopped the night away. Here was a generation that was up on their feet, inspired, strutting their funky stuff until the early hours of the morning, brassy trumpets whipping up the most amazing musical storm. There was the mellow and delicious 'Love's in Need of Love Today', Wonder's heartfelt and touching tribute to the world, his hopes and aspirations for the future.

During the Eighties Wonder gave us Hotter Than July', his personal nod in the direction of reggae,  Bob Marley and Master Blaster(Jammin') when dreadlocks and braids became the new fashion statement for those who preferred their hair to stand out from the rest. 'Part Time Lover' and 'Happy Birthday' were life enhancing, morale boosting and heart rending standards that just made you want to feel very good about everything and everybody else.

In recent years the Wonder output has slowly diminished with the passing of the years. But 'Ribbon in the Sky', deservedly rhapsodised by Beverly Knight, is one of the defining singles on the album 'In Square Circle'. 'Ribbon in the Sky is the definitive love song, a glorious cry from Stevie Wonder's heart, suffused with a red rose tenderness and a vocal from the great man that should be preserved and bottled for posterity.

So it is that you feel yourself  helpless with appreciation for the greatest singer, vocalist, song writer and lyricist there has ever been.  For a man who was born blind and found himself constantly battling the elements of institutionalised racism, personal prejudice and a society that initially shunned him, Stevie Wonder conquered the world with his sweet as sugar music. The music should and must endure for all of our lifetimes because little Stevie Wonder it was who guided us through our troubled adolescence when it all looked so bleak.  Thankyou Stevie.