The legendary Stevie Wonder’s debut concert at Van Andel Arena in October boasted a massive backing ensemble and earned widespread praise from fans. Revisit the review and photos.
‘Message of Truth, Love and Kindness’: Stevie Wonder during his Grand Rapids debut on Wednesday. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
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The message from Stevie Wonder came across loud and clear at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Oct. 30.
From the heartfelt ballad and his latest single, “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart,” through a blizzard of his massive, enduring hits to the poignant lyrics of the show-closing, “Another Star,” the legendary Michigan musician and songwriter was all about love, healing, unity, kindness and joy.
“Division and negativity is unacceptable,” Wonder proclaimed after taking the stage for the first-time ever at Van Andel Arena. “It’s about what is in your heart. Division and hatred, all these things have nothing to do with God’s purpose for you.
“Bring some positivity, inspire people. Use the gift that God has given you for the goodness of everybody.”
Mammoth Band: The ensemble regaled a crowd of 9,000-plus. (Fan Photo)
And after an improvised ditty with the line, “I’m in Grand Rapids, we can change the world” that drew enthusiastic cheers from the audience, he urged: “Leave children with a message of truth, love and kindness.”
Of course, Wonder produced his most audience-captivating moments with his memorable music – Motown hits that had the crowd of 9,000-plus singing and swaying along, backed by a mammoth, jaw-dropping ensemble featuring more than 30 musicians and singers.
With a string section and multiple percussionists, keyboardists, horn players and singers filling the stage, the tightly coordinated and orchestrated affair gave fans hungry for Wonder’s first Grand Rapids concert a wall of sound to complement classics such as “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” “Living for the City,” “Sir Duke,” “I Wish” and “Superstition” that stood out as highlights during the two-hour-and-50-minute show.
(The show started a tad late and Wonder remarked at one point that he’d be paying extra to go past the scheduled 11 p.m. ending time.)
A GLOWING LEGACY AND A CAREER-SPANNING CONCERT
The celebrated Motown hitmaker born in Saginaw as Stevland Hardaway Judkins in 1950 turned his blindness into musical magic at a very young age, signing to Motown’s Tamla label at age 11 and securing his first No. 1 hit, “Fingertips,” just two years later.
The rest, of course, is captivating, 25-Grammy Award-winning history, so Wonder not surprisingly offered up plenty of stories for fans, from tales of growing up on the west side of Detroit to the inspiration for many of the songs that served as career milestones.
Heartfelt Show: Wonder said he wanted his name to be in ‘the book of love.’ (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Instead of an intermission to give Wonder a break midway through the show, the band continued to perform, with guest singer Sheléa Melody McDonald unleashing her sensational vocal range on covers of songs by Carole King and Whitney Houston as well as her own, “Something’s Coming.” (The band also kept things humming with versions of Wonder’s “Contusion” and Prince’s “1999.”)
To be sure, there was a mission behind this concert and this tour of so-called swing states, just days before the Presidential election. The video screen posted messages pre-concert urging citizens to register and vote, and Wonder at one point declared: “No government should have control over a woman’s body.”
He also re-worked a certain candidate’s slogan via the phrase, “Let’s make America love again,” noted slyly that “ego” stands for “easing God out,” and launched into an impromptu rendition of a Beatles classic that produced a heart-rending audience sing-along: “All we need is love, love is all we need.” (View video below.)
BAND MEMBERS’ RECORDING SESSION IN GRAND RAPIDS
Wonder’s West Michigan appearance even had an impact on the city before the concert. His band’s keyboard/Hammond B3 player Cory Henry recorded a couple of tracks for a new Christmas album in a day-long session at Grand Rapids’ Mackinaw Harvest Music studios the day before, along with several other members of Wonder’s band.
Studio owner and engineer Michael Crittenden said the recording session lasted until 3 a.m. The resulting songs, he said, sound “incredible,” aided by what he called “major talent in the room.”
Devoted Fans: They were in full force on Wednesday. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
That “major talent” certainly enhanced Wonder’s arena spectacle, with a fun, hale and hardy horn section and a string orchestra that shined especially brightly during “Village Ghetto Land,” from “Songs in the Key of Life.”
The night also was filled with numerous Michigan, Grand Rapids, Detroit and Saginaw shout-outs, with Wonder insisting he’d be back in GR again at some point. While the 74-year-old doesn’t move like he once did, his voice remained strong and vibrant throughout.
As Grand Rapids fan and keyboard player Dutcher Wright Snedeker put it: “Stevie Wonder was so magical, every bit of talent, charisma and wisdom that radiates from his huge catalog of songs.”
The upbeat and uplifting evening ensured that Wonder’s words and melodies would remain planted in the minds of concertgoers for a very long time, reflecting a line from his show-ending “Another Star”: “For you there might be another song, but in my heart, your melody will stay with me.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Stevie Wonder at Van Andel Arena
Photos by Anthony Norkus
SET LIST: Stevie Wonder at Van Andel Arena
Setlist.fm
VIDEO: Stevie Wonder and Fans, “All We Need Is Love”
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