Barack Obama has loved Stevie Wonder's music all his life, and there was a chance for the new President to pay tribute to the singer this week as he hosted a tribute ceremony for his hero in the White House.
At the bash the US premier, who used Stevie's hit Signed, Sealed, Delivered during his election campaign, revealed the special significance of the Grammy-winning artist holds for him. "I think it's fair to say that had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me, we might not have married," he explained. "The fact that we agreed on Stevie was part of the essence of our courtship."
Michelle Obama, elegant in a sweeping green gown, told how she and her husband chose You And I as their wedding song. She also recounted fond memories of listening to the artist's albums as a child with her grandfather.
"He'd blast music throughout the house and… he and I would sit and listen to Stevie's music together - songs about life, love, romance, heartache, despair. He would let me listen to these songs over and over and over and over again," she said.
For his part, Stevie - who was presented with the Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize career award at the event - was clearly moved by the tributes.
Photo: Rex
Photo: Rex
