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Did you catch Stevie Wonder’s show?

12:38 pm June 25, 2009, by Tracy Brown

He didn’t come on stage until one hour and 18 minutes after the official start time (and when there’s no opening act, that can seem like a forever on a hot muggy evening). But when the star of the show is singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, some things are worth waiting for.

Wonder set the tone early on for his show Wednesday night at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, telling the crowd first thing, “It’s not about me, it’s not about you. It’s about us all coming together.”

He then brought out Leo, an 18-year-old fan battling terminal cancer.

For the remainder of the night, Leo wasn’t about to give up his place sitting at the side of the Motown legend, even as Wonder awkwardly maneuvered himself back and forth from keyboard to piano.

He started off the night by dusting off “Summer Soft,” a tune from 1976’s “Songs in the Key of Life.” Wonder said he’d never done the song live before and, well, maybe that explains his underwhelming kickoff.

Luckily, he realized by the third song that he needed a strong, familiar classic like “Master Blaster (Jammin)” to raise the crowd from their seats. Everyone was so happy to get it, no one seemed to mind when he appeared to forget some of the words, improvising with scats and hums and a little help from his backup singers, which included his daughter Aisha Morris.

Following through on his “it’s not about me” mantra, Wonder was generous in sharing his stage throughout the night — not only with Leo, but with an audience member who ran to the stage when Wonder asked for some vocal assist to his harmonica playing of Luther Vandross’ “A House Is Not a Home.” After a crowd-pleasing falsetto of Vandross’ classic, the fan seemed to have a spiritual moment, praising God and declaring Leo healed.

While the night was nowhere near perfect, Wonder knows how to have fun. When his daughter helped guide him to the piano, he joked, “My vision’s not too well these days.” And he tickled even himself when he hoarsely butchered the first line of “Knocks Me Off My Feet.”

“You know that sometimes happens,” he laughed.

But even as Wonder continually enlisted the crowd to sing along, and say this and say that (some of it sexually suggested), it was clear that concertgoers were most satisfied when he simply made it all about him, taking them on a nostalgic journey down memory lane with more than a dozen classics such as “All I Do,” “Higher Ground,” “Living for the City,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” “Sir Duke,” “I Wish” and “Superstitious.”

Whether you were able to make it or not, here are some keepsake photos.

Did you catch Stevie Wonder show last night? What was your favorite moment?

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47 comments Add your comment

bbb

June 25th, 2009
1:16 pm

I was suprised he didn’t sing more hits. A lot of concertgoers that we exited with were suprised and angry at this. Also, his first song, he was off key a good bit. But I was in Verizon during the soundcheck and got to see him warm up and sing a few songs- that was definitely the coolest part. His backup singers and band were great!

kenneth cook

June 25th, 2009
1:24 pm

let me tell you even though he was late man it was worth it if you missed it and ever have a chance to see him go , the band is incredible , and unlike alot of singers who loose their ability to sing like they did it the past , Stevie put on a hell of a show, the venue is a must see perfect for concerts weather was great. I would go and see him again tonight if I had the chance ,awesome forreal awesom

And who was the AJC bozo...

June 25th, 2009
1:38 pm

…this morning that put the pictures with the headline “Stevie Wonder in Gwinnett”! Last time I checked the Verizon Amphitheatre was in North Fulton, at least it was last month when I saw Earth, Wind and Fire there.

My wife was there as a worker bee – she said he did not sing many “hit” songs, as was mentioned by the first blogger, who was obviously working, too, or he/she would not have been inside to hear the warm up/sound check – that is what made everything start late my wife said.

All in all, she said it sucked big time since he chose not to play to the audience at all!

Lisa

June 25th, 2009
1:50 pm

I thought the show was awesome!!! Of course I would have enjoyed it more if it started on time. But once Stevie got started there was no stopping him. My favorite moment was when the audience member sang “House Is Not A Home” and himself became overwhelmed that he was on stage singing with Stevie Wonder. And WOW – could he sing! By the way . . . that was Palmer Williams Jr. (Clyde) from the Tyler Perry sitcom “House of Payne.”

Ms. Writer

June 25th, 2009
1:57 pm

It was not what I expected. Stevie should have sung more songs and not played call and response so much…I still love him though. I just wanted to hear a few more songs.

0488

June 25th, 2009
2:07 pm

The show was horrible. I’ve waited a long time to see Stevie Wonder live, and I was thoroughly disappointed. Barely an apology for making us wait, songs that were not his best sung poorly, and commentary on political and religous issues. I left after 20 minutes disappointed at the time and money wasted.

Ms. Writer

June 25th, 2009
2:14 pm

0488 – you didnt miss anything really…

0488

June 25th, 2009
2:17 pm

Only the $300 I spent on tickets…

blkshephered

June 25th, 2009
2:29 pm

I didnt go, didnt really want to. I hate when artists like stevie with a catalog of great music do just a few hits(none of which are my favorites) talk and talk..show up late, let the audience sing( I didnt pay to hear the audience sing) Talk, do a lousy rush through the hits or spend Too much time on certain songs. To the person that paid 300. waste of money. I aint paying 300 to see stevie or anyone else. and get severely disappointed like that. Now I know NOT to catch his show, when he comes back. Unless the tickets are free, or given to me. I love stevie.but I can listen to him on youtube. and be content. that way i can listen to his early stuff like Hey Love, with a childs heart, later Creepin(luther song) Love Light in Flight..land of La La. Stevie has loads of stuff he dont even sing anymore or even attempt to.

Amy

June 25th, 2009
2:45 pm

I saw him last night and at his last Phillips show. After the awful (and overpriced) Phillips show, I should have known better than to buy tickets for last nights show. Waste of time, waste of money. He sounds better in my car.

0489

June 25th, 2009
2:49 pm

0488 – how do you spend $300 on tickets and only stay for 20 minutes? that was $15 a minute….lol

Ms. Writer

June 25th, 2009
2:52 pm

Whewwwwwwwwww..I thought I was being over sensitive….yeah it was pretty bad….I think artist should consider that their audiences are not as rich as they are….that was hard earned money…I do feel a little jipped…

ThirdWheelWTH?

June 25th, 2009
3:15 pm

Well I was feeling bad for missing this concert last night but after reading all of the reviews it seemed like I didn’t miss much. It sounds like the concert he did at Chastain Park last year. I love Stevie Wonder but I wanted to hear more of the hits… and not just the hits from the 70’s either. A little Woman in Red or Nothing’s Too Good For My Baby would have been great! It’s not like he had to play “fingertips”… We all know he is a little too old for that song….:)

JTATL

June 25th, 2009
3:18 pm

I saw Stevie at Chastain (Oct 2007) and the show last night was a complete disappointment compared to Chastain. Too much audience singalong – i didn’t pay to hear the people in front of me sing Stevie songs. Terrible version of Superstition, so bad that they only played it for about a minute before going into another song. Because he started over an hour late, it seemed like they realized at 11:00 that they hadn’t really played many “good” songs and then started to cram in one or two verses from a variety of “hits”. Glad i only paid for lawn seats, if i had paid over $100 for a ticket i would be really mad.

Stevie Fan

June 25th, 2009
3:27 pm

I really enjoyed the show and had SO much fun. Some folks are just never happy. The lawn area at the venue was the best, the crowd was into it, dancing and singing the whole time. Realistically Steviw ha too much material to satisfy everyone’s taste at any given concert. I saw him at Chastain and he didn’t sing my favorites there and he did last night so i was really pleased AND glad he started late, by then the sun had gone down and the vibe was perfect on the lawn. The show was Awesome but i guess I would have felt different if i was in the seats crowded next to a bunch of folks and all dressed up wearing a hot a$$ weave. i guess you cant please all the people all the time.

WesSoHood

June 25th, 2009
3:42 pm

Stevie can sing and do or not do what ever he wants to…after all he is the one and only STEVIE! I’m so thankful for his greatness and love. The man has help me get by durning some tough times in life. Stevie is all that’s good in this world, he can do no wrong.
Got mad love for you home boy!

PJH

June 25th, 2009
3:49 pm

I have been a fan of Stevie wonder as long as I can remember. I have met him in the past and always found him to be a gracious, warm person. I love the venue…and I must say I really wanted to love the concert…but I did not. I don’t really care for the Karaoke songs…and I did not really come to hear any political stuff….I hear the news plenty. I just wanted to revel in the beauty of his music and his talent on a warm, summer evening….

He is so talented and so is his band…I really just would have liked to really get a chance to hear more and it just did not happen.

Why??

June 25th, 2009
3:54 pm

I love Stevie’s music, and from past live performances of Stevie, I thought his live show would be more tahn satisfactory. However, it seems to me like artists are more into the crowd participation thing. I’ve watch Brian McKnight, someone whose live shows used to be incredible! Turn into a “talker” who lets the audience sing most of the lyrics. Now Stevie! What in the world is happening to performance and showmanship?!! Nobody wants to pay their hard-earned money to hear the audience sing! Tell you what! Stop paying you money to see these idiots, and I bet they’ll straighten up!

By the way **Lisa**, Palmer Williams Jr. plays (Floyd) on “House of Payne.”

D

June 25th, 2009
4:13 pm

Stevie was Stevie last night. Brilliant vocals, great sence of humor, and awsome performance. He did over 20 songs non stop. He did at least 10 major hits. This show was more suited for the hardcore Stevie fans. He dusted of classics like Superwoman (my all time favorite) and All I do. I think many of the complaints are from casual fans.

Mike

June 25th, 2009
4:20 pm

What a self-indulgent piece of crap that show was. Can’t believe I gave away Braves tickets to go.

Mike

June 25th, 2009
4:22 pm

Oh and, by the way Stevie, next time you’re preaching try “do unto others as you would have others do unto you”. Remember that the next time you leave your customers waiting 80 minutes for you with no explanation. I’d be on time for you.

Petunia

June 25th, 2009
4:24 pm

Contrary to the last blogger, I am a hardcore fan and have been since ‘Little Stevie Wonder’. I think it was very disrectful to the people who helped get him where he is today, to be almost 1-1/2 hours late for a performance – if you want to call it that. Then when he acknowledged that he was ‘a little late’, his comment was “so sue me”. GEESH, at least apologize!

I was so excited to see this legend and was so disappointed. I didn’t pay $65 for lawn seats to hear the audience sing – I wanted the Stevie that I always loved to sing!

For as excited as I was to attend, I am now wishing that I didn’t go. I would have much rather remembered the old Stevie.

Ms. Writer

June 25th, 2009
4:24 pm

No. Im not a casual fan, I own every record and CD that this man has put out…the show was mediocre…I will always remain a fan because he is a genius but I wish there was less audience participation and more of his voice.

Phil

June 25th, 2009
5:26 pm

Well, I should state that I LOVED the show in spite of the following: ‘Summer Soft’ and ‘Superwoman’ were delights – especially for the ‘diehards’ – of which I am one…the problem is an old one – The first part of the show always seems relaxed – probably too relaxed – there are always a couple of songs which he seems to play forever – last night it was ‘All I Do’ and ‘Living For The City’ (at least the intro) – when I saw him last 18 months ago it was ‘Visions’ and ‘Ribbon In The Sky’. It’s almost as if he realizes about halfway through he’s still got 20 songs left to play so he crams ‘em in as fast as he can. And maybe the late start had something to do with it, but last night felt particularly rushed. Also, the show followed pretty much the same path as the DVD he released this spring – perhaps a little more originality? With a catalog as large and extensive as his, there is no reason to be playing pretty much the same songs as last fall (of course, I understand there are songs that should be played at EVERY Stevie concert). Finally, in agreement with most everyone else: WE CAME TO HEAR YOU SING! Not Joe Six-pack in the seat behind me, not Palmer Williams (but what a great job) and not the Wednesday’s child rapper! I know he’s trying to be generous but come on!
Lastly, a tip for the VZWAMP: First row pit needs to be moved back to what is now the fourth row. Way too close! I had a great view of the backup singers (esp. the one w/ the giant cans!) but couldn’t even see Stevie’s face when he played the piano (!) and couldn’t see any of the band behind Stevie on stage left – I felt like I was sitting in the front row of a movie theatre! Did I mention I loved the show? ;)

Shevalsheshe

June 25th, 2009
5:36 pm

I did not go because I don’t like outdoor concerts; however, I saw him at Phillips Arena last time – and he was GREAT!(As was all other times that I have seen him) I will always love Stevie and will always be a fan of his. He could sing ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ and I would enjoy it. He is so tallented and WONDERful!!!!

GT Mom

June 25th, 2009
6:40 pm

Best part of Stevie Wonder concert last night was tailgating with the girls. He was an hour and 20 minutes late with no apologies (inexcusable), sang songs from other artists, did a lengthy song using talkbox ala Peter Frampton, had audience participating in singing non-sensical riffs to unknown songs for lengthy periods, and I won’t pontificate on his need to let us know his political leanings. So many of his hits were left unsung due to his lateness and time spent on the previously mentioned nonsense. It was as if the audience was not there. A truly self-indulgent performance.

StevieLover

June 25th, 2009
7:28 pm

Stevie was great last night!Yes he was late but I don’t care.It’s Stevie- get over it. How many times in your life do you get to see Stevie live?

party pooper

June 26th, 2009
7:56 am

wow, sounds like it was a serious waste of money

Georgia

June 26th, 2009
10:42 am

Waaaa-waaaa-waaaa!Would you like some cheese with all this whine? It’s STEVIE WONDER! He was FABULOUS and it was a beautiful night. He played LOTS of big hits — there was one song I didn’t know. And he obviously feeds off his audience (which I much prefer over those who totally ignore their audience). If he played everyone’s favorite song (and btw, he didn’t play mine), he would’ve been on stage for 10+ hours! I’ve waited 25 years to see him and I walked away very satisfied and thankful that I was in Atlanta so that I could catch his concert. God has truly blessed us with the talent of Stevie Wonder.

Long Time Stevie Fan

June 26th, 2009
11:04 am

Although the show started late, the lines were long, the sun was hot. And I, like most people were annoyed by the late start and long lines. I was taking my 11 year old grandson (a huge Stevie fan too) to his first concert and I couldn’t have thought of a better artist for him to see. He loved the concert and the energy of the people we were around on the lawn. Of course so many song were not sung by Stevie, but how could he do them all. Stevie is an old school perfomer who doesn’t just get on stage and lip sync all his hits. He engages the audience and yes, gets into some topics of political nature. After all he is from the 60’s… All-in-all it is what it is and it was a good show….

Lazy-B

June 26th, 2009
11:11 am

What a waste of time and money. One could spend the same amount of time in a Port-O-Potty and come out feeling more blessed. God has shined on Stevie, however, Stevie didnt shine on us. He ripped us off.

All his STUPID ramblings about policital/religious issues filled me with the urge to revisit the Port-O-Potty and this time not come out.
Stevie I will NEVER lay down my cash to hear your sorry behind again…NEVER! And whats with this kareoke non-sense. Just stupid and arrogant!

Stevie, just SHUT UP and SING!

Long Time Stevie Fan

June 26th, 2009
12:42 pm

Geez… why so bitter Lazy-B… GOSH… life is too short…

Double D

June 27th, 2009
7:25 am

I have to agree with many on here that it was a total waste. At the last minute on Wednesday I had the chance to entertain some customers at the show. After being locked out of the venue for an hour, waiting in the food line for 40 minutes, and the show starting at 9:20, they still seemed in good spirits and ready for a good show. I’m sorry they did not get that. I really tried to get into the show but never could. First 30 seconds we get a half hearted apology at best and political statements, which I somewhat expected. Then what do we get. Sing-a-longs, a 10 minute “song” into a talkbox, bringing a guy out of the audience to sing a full song, letting his daughter sing a full song. When he sang his hits they were a compilation, singing a couple of choruses. Total rip off. Oh yea, my customers came up with the “we’ve got to catch an early flight tomorrow” and left at 10:30. I was not far behind them.

fitness103

June 27th, 2009
10:58 am

This was my first Stevie Wonder concert – disappointing.

sedandon

June 27th, 2009
12:00 pm

Huge Stevie fan and have seen him several times. I was happy he sang some songs he did not when he was at Chastain last year, which I did enjoy a little better – but I felt like this show’s audience consisted mostly of casual fans waiting for him to sing his mainstream hits and were not really as familiar with his music as they may have thought. Or, it could be that at Chastain, you can bring your own booze and the seats aren’t as comfy, both of which make for a much more livelier (standing) crowd. Yes, he did start late (and admittedly, could have done w/o the “so sue me” line when he had us with the Make-A-Wish kid) and he didn’t have a strong start, but STEVIE does know how to have fun, talks politics at every concert (he’s a musical activist, after all-like Bono, Dixie Chicks, etc.), and has always gotten the audience involved, but my conclusion is that he P.O’ed you all so much that you couldn’t get into it. I completely understand why folks were disappointed, esp if this was your first Stevie concert, but I decided my glass was half-full and I enjoyed myself, particularly when he sang the cuts from Hotter Than July, my fave album…that said, if he pulls that late-n-rush stuff next time……..

Jeff

June 27th, 2009
12:25 pm

Stevie BLONDER! The worst concert of the year so far! Stevie opened up thanking God…really cool. He brought out a terminally ill young man who was aloud to sit with him the entire show…really cool. It was all down hill from there. Over an hour late…no reason as to why…..forgot words to songs…..enlisted the audience to sing on every two or three songs……let the audience sing the chorus to the good songs so we never heard him actually sing many hits completely through. A 20 minute medley of other artist songs using a voice synthesizer was painfully long and he seemed like a kid with a new toy, that actually was more aggravating than fun. For $300 plus I expected a lot more. Never again!! What a rip off!!

Jean

June 28th, 2009
10:28 pm

I agree with most everything that has been said. yes, he was very late, yes, he had the audience sing along with many songs, yes, he used a talkbox…. All that said, I was instrumental in getting Leo –the 18-yr old cancer patient–on stage with Stevie, through Rock Against Cancer (Not Make a Wish). Stevie’s act of human kindness has most probably added many months to Leo’s life. An act that most professional musicians of this caliber would never consider. So for this, Stevie– God Bless you….

The GREAT Stevie Wonder

June 29th, 2009
8:17 am

Hey fools…dont wanna come see my show then dont. Its MY SHOW and its FOR ME. “I am so lovely, I am so wonderful”. Next time you all can just sit and smell your own farts…hows that sound? huh?

Here…lemme getcha started…*POOT*…..*POOT*!!!
Smel DAT!

Adam

June 29th, 2009
8:42 am

I was thrilled to hear some lesser-known classics like “Summer Soft” and “Superwoman.” The rap song near the end was kind of unnecessary, but I still had a great time.

cjamesatl

June 29th, 2009
3:35 pm

A near hour and half wait for anybody is not acceptable. I was taught that if you don’t show up on time for someone, then you don’t respect them. I guess Mr. Wonder thought that those hard-working folks who were still able to scrimpt together the money to buy tickets would accept his being late.

MusicMajorandPerformer

June 30th, 2009
1:59 pm

The show was absolutley awesome. It is so obvious that those who disliked it aren’t actual die-hard fans. They probably can’t even sing an enitre Stevie song. Even before Stevie’s being a musician, he is a humanitarian. For me starting late wasn’t a problem, maybe because I waited years to hear him. I was also one of them singing along with every song; call and response is great if you can actually sing. To all of those who didn’t like the show you are probably tone deaf anyway. Go back to your Jimmy Buffet concert.

The GREAT Stevie Wonder

June 30th, 2009
3:41 pm

Yes…its me Stevie and I would just like to say to MusicMajor/Performer…Thanks for your participation, however, you were very distacting during MY PERFORMANCE. You caterwalling, yelling and screeching had my ears in extreme pain, much like the alley cats with which you reside, exploit and sodomized.

I encourage you to never again attend one of my shows butt if you do pleas sit down and SHUT your piehole.

ConcertGoer

July 2nd, 2009
1:04 pm

Here’s the bottom line people……every act that was ever someone goes back on tour, and it’s most likely for the cash. I’ve been to hundreds of concerts starting with the Allman Brothers in 1972. Saw Stevie at Chastain in 2007 and I considered it an average show (perhaps a 5 on a scale of 1-10). He didn’t play the hits I wanted to hear, he forgot words, he needed help with his range (ok I forgive him that) and I walked away with a feeling of “eh.” That’s why I didn’t go to this show at Verizon even though it’s 5 minutes from my house….glad I didn’t…. While it sounds like there were some “feel good” moments I can’t believe that anyone walked away from this saying it was great….seriously? This show could have and should have started close to on time – and it sounds like this obstacle could not be overcome…..yet had he played what YOU (paid for) and came to hear you might have gone home very happy (and you’d listen to his music for the next 2 weeks non stop to retain the memory of a great show). He’s a performer, he’s paid (significantly) to PERFORM. The majority of you say that’s not what happened and I can so see it from your perspective. You work too hard for your money….no one deserves to be ripped off…. Go to a Springsteen show and stand in the pit – for $100 bucks you’ll get the greatest 3 hour show of your life…and he’ll be 60 this year.

aveRichJoe

July 10th, 2009
2:01 pm

Michael Jackson Autopsy Photo:

http://hubpages.com/hub/jacksonautopsyphoto

J. Williams

July 16th, 2009
5:20 pm

Not worth the waitStevie Wonder @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park @ – Alpharetta @ ,GA @ – Wed, Jun 24, 2009 @
Posted 07/15/2009 by moonshine
Location: alphatretta, GA
This man saw fit to make the people who put him where he is today a nearly three hours; 50 minutes to enter the amphitheatre and another hour and 50 minutes for the show to start. His explanation? He gave a little giggle and made a comment about being “a little late.” I will never purchase any Stevie Wonder cd nor see a show and I will share our experience in the coming months. Shame on you, Mr. Wonder! Your show was DREADFUL.

Stevie UR still wonderful !

August 12th, 2009
8:21 am

I don’t know this to be true. However, I think Mr. Wonder may have been late because he probably heard rumors of Michael Jackson’s death. He probably did not want to disappoint the fans and he decided to perform. I still enjoyed the show but the smokers in the lawn section I could have done without.

Mark

August 12th, 2009
2:17 pm

Who would pay to see a blind ni66er with no musical talent??