The 1970s singer Paul Simon and Sting called the greatest: “Powerful”
Paul Simon and Sting have both praised Stevie Wonder as a defining musical talent, with Sting describing him as a “powerful, spiritual entity”. The article argues that Wonder’s influence lies in more than his voice: his inventive compositions show how popular music can break with convention while still reaching a wide audience.
Simon called Wonder “the composer of his generation” and said American popular music would have been very different without him. Sting, who worked with Wonder on “Brand New Day”, described him as a teacher, guru and inspiration. The article also connects Wonder’s creative freedom to artists such as Simon, whose later work, including *Graceland*, moved beyond familiar styles.
- Simon called Wonder the composer of his generation.
- Sting described Wonder as a powerful spiritual presence.
- Wonder’s influence extends beyond his singing voice.
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Stevie Wonder is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose career began in the 1960s. He became known for combining soul, pop and other musical styles, and for writing and performing songs that reached a broad audience.
Paul Simon and Sting are fellow musicians who have spoken about Wonder’s influence. Simon called him a leading composer of his generation, while Sting, who recorded with him on “Brand New Day”, described him as a source of inspiration.
Wonder’s work is often discussed as an example of how popular music can experiment with sound and form while remaining widely accessible. That approach offers context for artists such as Simon, whose later album *Graceland* drew on musical styles beyond those he was already known for.