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Stevie Wonder would better tidy up his award shelves. He was
named on Tuesday the winner of the U.S. Library of Congress’ second Gershwin
Prize for Popular Song. The award was created to honor the career accomplishments
of singers, songwriters and composers whose creative works outshine the
differences between musical styles and genres, drawing various listeners
together and “fostering mutual understanding and appreciation,” the Librarian
of Congress, James H. Billington, said in a statement, according to The New
York Times.
The Motown legend will receive the award in the Library’s
Great Hall in Washington, D.C., on February 23 next year. Moreover,
the soul singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer was
assigned to write a piece of music for the celebration, thus joining numerous
musicians who were given such commissions.
“It’s an immense privilege to join such a remarkable roster
of musicians and composers,” Stevie Wonder, 58, said in a statement. “I am
touched to receive this honor, and look forward to creating music for the
celebration.”
The Gershwin prize was established to commemorate George and
Ira Gershwin, an American songwriting duo whose manuscript collections are kept
in the Library of Congress, according to James Billington.
The first Gershwin Prize was awarded last year to Paul
Simon.
Blind from infancy, Stevie Wonder signed with Motown Records
at the age of twelve. He has recorded several critically acclaimed albums and
hit singles, and writes and produces songs for many other artists.
Stevie Wonder is already one of the most garlanded
performers in pop music history, having been inducted into both the Rock and
Roll and Songwriters halls of fame. In addition to this, he won 25 Grammy
Awards and an Academy Award, as well as several lifetime achievement prizes.
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