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Search - Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway, Stevie Wonder's Mother

Blind Faith The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway Stevie Wonder's Mother
Author: Dennis Love, Stacy Brown

Hardship, sacrifice, determination, and ultimate triumph are the elements that make up Blind Faith, the frank and compelling biography of Lula Hardaway, mother of superstar musician and singer Stevie Wonder. Written with her full cooperation and participation, this is the first ever authorized look into the life of the woman who gave birt... more »h to and nurtured one of America's greatest musicians/songwriters -- and the struggles that preceded his rise to fame and fortune.

To say that Lula Hardaway did not have an easy life is an understatement. It was a constant struggle for self-esteem and emotional survival. Yet survive she did -- a motherless child born in a sharecropper's shack in Alabama, she was passed from relative to relative, unwanted and, for the most part, unloved. As a teenager she was sent to Chicago, where she met a much older man whom she eventually married. Unfortunately, her life then took an even darker turn as he abused her and forced her to work as a prostitute. Determined to build a better life for her children, she started hiding money away, and one day successfully made her escape to Detroit.

One of her sons, Stevland Judkins, was blind from infancy. Although he presented special challenges, Lula noticed from the outset that this little boy impressed everyone he met with his outgoing personality, his intelligence, charm, and resourcefulness -- and his incredible musical talent. By age ten, he was playing and singing gospel tunes in church, and then joining adults singing rhythm and blues on the street corners of Detroit.

Eventually, word of this young phenomenon reached Berry Gordy, who was just beginning to establish himself as a creative force in Detroit's thriving music scene. Gordy dubbed the boy Little Stevie Wonder, and launched him into musical history when he signed him to his Motown label.

Stardom didn't come that easily -- there was the question of what material was best for Stevie, and then the question of what would happen to the twelve-year-old boy's voice when he reached puberty. Fortunately, the voice that emerged was even more musical and more captivating than it had been. Great care was taken in choosing his next projects and the result was a succession of top 10 -- and several number 1 -- hits.

By age twenty-one, Stevie had attained greater control of his career and finances by negotiating a new contract with Motown, which gave him complete control over the songs he recorded. What followed was a string of chart-topping albums and some of the most memorable popular music to come from the second half of the last century.

Through it all, Stevie Wonder never failed to credit his mother. When Innervisions won a Grammy award for Album of the Year in 1973, he refused to accept the award unless Lula would walk with him to the podium. He clutched his mother in front of the auditorium and in front of the millions of people watching on television, proclaiming, "Her strength has led us to this place."

Indeed, it was her strength and her belief in herself and in her sons that brought them to that place, to the very heights of success. It was her drive and her willingness to sacrifice the now for the future -- plus her abiding belief in God -- that saw them through. Blind Faith is not only the story of the birth of a superstar but also a stirring testament to a mother's love and determination and a frank and uncompromising look at how one woman's attempt to better her children's lives led to a lasting gift to the world.

ISBN-13: 9780684869797
ISBN-10: 0684869799
Publication Date: 11/1/2002
Pages: 288
Rating:

Currently 3.3/5 Stars.

3.3 stars, based on 3 ratings

Publisher: Simon Schuster
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Read All 1 Book Reviews of "Blind Faith The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway Stevie Wonders Mother"

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Karen V. reviewed Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway, Stevie Wonder's Mother on 1/8/2007 + 12 more book reviews

This story was fascinating! To learn of Stevie Wonder and how he became blind and all he went through from the eyes of his mother. I loved this amazing story!

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Genres:

Biographies & Memoirs >> Arts & Literature >> Composers & Musicians >> R&B & Soul
Biographies & Memoirs >> Arts & Literature >> Entertainers
Biographies & Memoirs >> Community & Culture >> Black & African American
Biographies & Memoirs >> Community & Culture >> General
Biographies & Memoirs >> General
Biographies & Memoirs >> Specific Groups >> People with Disabilities
Biographies & Memoirs >> Specific Groups >> Women
Humor & Entertainment >> Music >> Musical Genres >> Rock

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