Concert Review: Stevie Wonder

BY ROBERT FOLSOM

The tickets said “8pm,” but they should have said “Sunset.” (“When it’s dark enough for the stage lights and video screens” wouldn’t have fit on a ticket.) Eager Stevie Wonder fans had to fan themselves in Friday’s heat and humidity while waiting for the pop music legend to come on at Starlight Theatre.

When he did take the stage at 8:55, he announced that the show was dedicated to Michael Jackson, his longtime friend who died the day before. Also, at daughter Aisha Morris’ whisperings, he dedicated the evening to Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon to make it a “celebration of life,” but not before deriding the stupidity of the press and those who go about “destroying someone’s life, even in death.”

“God blessed us with Michael Jackson’s talent. All that other stuff people do and say … excuse me, kids, close your ears … is just a bunch of bullshit,” he said. Unfortunately, an assessment of the Gloved One’s life is not so simple.

Stevie Wonder did set a calming mood with the opener, “Love’s in Need of Love Today,” which showed him in good voice. The crowd of about 6,200 seemed to forgive the late start.

Then, as so many singers do when they come to town, he launched into “Kansas City.” You had to appreciate, though, that he was mimicking Wilbert Harrison, whose version is the best-known.