I remember seeing Stevie perform playing Fingertips in 1964 or early 1965 at a local High School Dance, Bonner HS in Drexel HIll, PA. He was about 14yrs old & so was I. He was on a little plywood stage about a foot or two above the gym floor. Stood right in front of him & watched him play his harmonica. He was amazing!!! I was mesmerized by his music. So young, blind. An extraordinary talent. Still have my 45 rpm record Fingertips Pt I & II!!! Who knew then he would become such a superstar!
First venue I ever saw. I was 13. 4 Tops, the Supremes, and Little Stevie Wonder. I had no idea who any of them were. It was a Saturday. My brother Kerry got beat up. We were the only white people there. It was a nice theatre near Cass Ave. I don't remember, but I remember Stevie, as he was about 3 years older than me. I had no idea he could not see.
I really doubt that's Marvin back there. On the original recording? Yes. But it's clear that the live version had been released already. And by 63, Marvin was having hits of his own.
Amazing!! 13 years old here, blind, and in a time period of discrimination, he is performing and he hasn't stopped since!! just amazing! His last name is "Wonder" for a reason :D
GET THIS IN THE SMITHSONIAN - SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED!! "THE MOTORTOWN REVUE" BAND AND STEVIE AT THE APOLLO THEATER IN 1963!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! OH BABY!!
Nice to see a video with lotsa positive posts!! Still remember back in Detroit reading how Stevie would play with his brother and others. Stevie would jump from one garage roof to the next!!! Yeah Stevie!! You da one!!
This is something we should show our kids. It does not matter whatever you are diagnosis with or disabilities you have Stevie is a living testimony to what anyone can do if you put your mind to it. He is amazingly blessed by God!!!
Stevie never knew what it was like to live life with eyesight.. so he didn't necessarily have to 'overcome' anything.. that was just normal for him. but yes, yes, i like where you're going with that.
Terrific post! This was filmed during a week-long run at the Apollo Theatre in NYC in December, 1962; Stevie was 12. Motown released audio tracks from the event as a series of live LPs in 1963. That recording of this song was Stevie's first big hit; it reached #1 in 1963. Fun fact: that's Marvin Gaye on the drums.
@theBestArts - Note: while my facts are correct about how the #1 hit was filmed and recorded, it's possible that this video is from a second filmed performance at the Apollo in June of 1963. @SixtiesPopGold, do you have any more details on this great video?
@theBestArts No, but since Martha & The Vandellas sing "Come and Get These Memories", which didn't enter the Billboard chart until April 1963, I really doubt that this is from December 1962.
@theBestArts "In over 40 years the sheer exuberance and joyful chaos of Stevie Wonder's first hit single has never been matched. This recording comes from one of the Motown label's package performances of featured artists at the Regal Theatre in Chicago. Part 2 is mostly an unplanned encore by 12-year-old Stevie Wonder, and it also features a young Marvin Gaye on drums."
@johnnytodumb420 - This recording is definitely from the Motown package tour. I was assuming it was from one of their several stops in NYC since all of the drums are labeled "Apollo Theatre". Regardless of the source, I love this performance, and greatly appreciate the chance to see it. Thank you again, SixtiesPopGold.
Great footage, wish the sound quality was better, so we could hear the band better... but I ain't complaining. Love the fender amp back there... looks like a super reverb (but taller?)
COme to may channel and learn your Rock and Roll history.
I remember seeing Stevie perform playing Fingertips in 1964 or early 1965 at a local High School Dance, Bonner HS in Drexel HIll, PA. He was about 14yrs old & so was I. He was on a little plywood stage about a foot or two above the gym floor. Stood right in front of him & watched him play his harmonica. He was amazing!!! I was mesmerized by his music. So young, blind. An extraordinary talent. Still have my 45 rpm record Fingertips Pt I & II!!! Who knew then he would become such a superstar!
NancyO1 3 days ago
1 blind person see this video and dislike this
varun9999699669 3 weeks ago
First venue I ever saw. I was 13. 4 Tops, the Supremes, and Little Stevie Wonder. I had no idea who any of them were. It was a Saturday. My brother Kerry got beat up. We were the only white people there. It was a nice theatre near Cass Ave. I don't remember, but I remember Stevie, as he was about 3 years older than me. I had no idea he could not see.
teden20 3 weeks ago
I really doubt that's Marvin back there. On the original recording? Yes. But it's clear that the live version had been released already. And by 63, Marvin was having hits of his own.
cottagechskitty 3 weeks ago
Amazing!! 13 years old here, blind, and in a time period of discrimination, he is performing and he hasn't stopped since!! just amazing! His last name is "Wonder" for a reason :D
50srocknrollfan18 1 month ago
GET THIS IN THE SMITHSONIAN - SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED!! "THE MOTORTOWN REVUE" BAND AND STEVIE AT THE APOLLO THEATER IN 1963!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! OH BABY!!
pls99271 1 month ago
Nice to see a video with lotsa positive posts!! Still remember back in Detroit reading how Stevie would play with his brother and others. Stevie would jump from one garage roof to the next!!! Yeah Stevie!! You da one!!
jimijunk86 1 month ago
This was the Number One song on Billboard when I was born. Say 'yeah!!!!'.
ShadyPastel 1 month ago
this is boss. learn from it!
2PTwinz 2 months ago
damn.. 13 years old!!! not just playing.. but PLAYING!!
liedje 2 months ago
My mentor, Clarence Paul, is directing the band..........Miss you Clarence...R.I.P.....
TeeBackgroundTracks 2 months ago
This is something we should show our kids. It does not matter whatever you are diagnosis with or disabilities you have Stevie is a living testimony to what anyone can do if you put your mind to it. He is amazingly blessed by God!!!
TruevinePraiseDance 3 months ago 18
@TruevinePraiseDance
Stevie never knew what it was like to live life with eyesight.. so he didn't necessarily have to 'overcome' anything.. that was just normal for him. but yes, yes, i like where you're going with that.
murrtownchillen 1 week ago
a bad boy right thur
princecourtland 4 months ago
This is good!!
nacelfan 4 months ago
Terrific post! This was filmed during a week-long run at the Apollo Theatre in NYC in December, 1962; Stevie was 12. Motown released audio tracks from the event as a series of live LPs in 1963. That recording of this song was Stevie's first big hit; it reached #1 in 1963. Fun fact: that's Marvin Gaye on the drums.
theBestArts 4 months ago
@theBestArts - Note: while my facts are correct about how the #1 hit was filmed and recorded, it's possible that this video is from a second filmed performance at the Apollo in June of 1963. @SixtiesPopGold, do you have any more details on this great video?
theBestArts 4 months ago
@theBestArts No, but since Martha & The Vandellas sing "Come and Get These Memories", which didn't enter the Billboard chart until April 1963, I really doubt that this is from December 1962.
SixtiesPopGold 4 months ago
@theBestArts "In over 40 years the sheer exuberance and joyful chaos of Stevie Wonder's first hit single has never been matched. This recording comes from one of the Motown label's package performances of featured artists at the Regal Theatre in Chicago. Part 2 is mostly an unplanned encore by 12-year-old Stevie Wonder, and it also features a young Marvin Gaye on drums."
johnnytodumb420 3 months ago
@johnnytodumb420 - This recording is definitely from the Motown package tour. I was assuming it was from one of their several stops in NYC since all of the drums are labeled "Apollo Theatre". Regardless of the source, I love this performance, and greatly appreciate the chance to see it. Thank you again, SixtiesPopGold.
theBestArts 3 months ago
@johnnytodumb420 No way! That's Marvin on drums?!? You just blew my mind. Thank you.
DoAction 3 months ago
Respond to this video... I'd like to see someone try to wipe this smile off my face.
DoAction 3 months ago
Stevie is just soooo cooool ! I also love the way the bandmembers rock from left to right.
Angler747747 4 months ago
Great Post!!!! I love this.
uknowmeazdaddy 4 months ago
Comment removed
mark8748 4 months ago
Hey it got cut off :-(
latoyawoods 5 months ago
Steve is just too amazing ...u gotta love him
azone0011 5 months ago
Little Stevie Wonder was a genius even way back then . . . .
soulgriot 8 months ago 14
@bugsycline- Agreed. But we need to remember how long ago this was. Technology wasn't great.
merseymained 8 months ago
Great footage, wish the sound quality was better, so we could hear the band better... but I ain't complaining. Love the fender amp back there... looks like a super reverb (but taller?)
COme to may channel and learn your Rock and Roll history.
bugsycline 1 year ago 2