by While Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder rose to become two of the most influential artists in music history, few know about the deep friendship that blossomed between these musical icons.
[bg_collapse view=”button-orange” color=”#4a4949″ expand_text=”Show More” collapse_text=”Show Less” ]
Both starting their careers as child prodigies signed to Motown Records, Jackson and Wonder would develop a bond rooted in their shared musical talents and creative visions. Over the decades, their admiration and collaborations demonstrated a mutual respect that transcended their monumental success. This is a glimpse inside the remarkable friendship between two titans who helped shape pop music as we know it.
A Shared Motown Legacy
The origins of Jackson and Wonder’s friendship can be traced back to their early days at Motown Records in the 1960s. Though a few years apart in age, both Michael and Stevie demonstrated musical gifts from a very young age. Wonder, born blind, learned to play instruments like piano and harmonica practically from birth out of a drive to express himself through music. Jackson, one of nine children in the Jackson family, debuted his talents to the world as part of The Jackson 5 in 1964 at just 5 years old.
While their paths did not cross significantly in those formative Motown years, Wonder recalls visiting the studio as a young teenager and encountering the Jackson brothers as they began recording their first hits. “I remember Michael being just a little boy,” Wonder said in a 2009 interview. Though their styles were different – Wonder crafting soulful, lyrical pop while The Jackson 5 delivered bubblegum dance hits – both artists helped propel Motown to international fame during this era. Their early success at Motown’s Hitsville U.S.A. studios in Detroit planted the seeds for a lifelong bond over their shared experiences in the music business from a very young age.
Mutual Admiration Blossoms
As their careers progressed independently through the 1970s and 80s, Jackson and Wonder developed a deep admiration for one another’s musical talents. Wonder, a prolific singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, dazzled with innovative albums like 1972’s Talking Book that demonstrated his boundless creativity. He pushed musical and technological boundaries as one of the first major artists to utilize synthesizers. Jackson, meanwhile, honed his signature dance moves and vocal skills to perfection as he transitioned into a global pop icon with Off the Wall and Thriller.
The pair’s mutual respect was evident. Wonder said he saw himself in Jackson’s “childlike sense of wonder” about music. Jackson, meanwhile, covered Wonder’s songs like “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” in concert, a testament to the influence the elder musician had on him. Offstage, they shared a childlike sense of humor and competitive spirit, bonding over friendly contests of air hockey, video games, and more. This close friendship was rooted in their appreciation for one another’s unmatched talents, as well as the challenges of finding success in the music industry from a very young age.
Collaborations for the Ages
Perhaps the most iconic representation of Jackson and Wonder’s musical bond came in their collaborations in the 1980s. In 1983, they joined forces on the smash hit “Gotta Be There” from Jackson’s Dangerous album. Co-written by the duo, the song highlighted their melodic talents. But their most famous collaboration remains 1985’s “We Are the World,” the charity single to help famine relief in Africa.
A year later, Jackson and Wonder teamed up again for Wonder’s commercial peak “Get It” from his album In Square Circle. The uptempo track saw the pair flexing their vocal skills over a funky bassline. Music videos for both “We Are the World” and “Get It” captured the obvious chemistry and playfulness between Jackson and Wonder as they hammed it up for the cameras. Their collaborations demonstrated a rare musical synergy that blended Wonder’s songwriting prowess with Jackson’s showmanship.
Beyond these major studio collaborations, Jackson and Wonder’s friendship manifested in more subtle musical ways as well. Jackson covered Wonder’s classic “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” in concert, while Wonder returned the favor by performing Jackson’s hit “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” in his live shows. They also joined forces to lobby for royalty reform for older songs in the digital era. These acts of mutual admiration and support displayed the deep respect between the two peers that went beyond any professional collaboration.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Tragically, Jackson passed away in 2009 at age 50, cutting short a life and career that left an indelible mark on popular music. Wonder, still active in music and advocacy today, has reflected on the profound impact his friend had. “His legacy will continue; his music will continue; what he brought to the world as a performer and as a dancer and as a songwriter will never be matched,” Wonder said after Jackson’s death. For his part, Jackson sang Wonder’s praises: “He’s a genius…he’s incredible. I love him dearly.”
Their friendship stands as a reminder of the power of shared passion and mutual respect to forge deep bonds even amongst giants in their fields. Through collaborations, covers, and their obvious admiration for one another, Jackson and Wonder elevated each other’s artistry and set an example of creative collaboration. Over five decades, their bond demonstrated how musical talents, regardless of style or success, could find common ground through appreciation for the gift of song. For Wonder and Jackson, two of the most influential forces in modern pop music, that gift brought them together in a friendship that has inspired fans worldwide. Their musical brotherhood remains a high point in a golden era of Motown and represents the timeless power of music to unite even the most iconic of talents.
[/bg_collapse]
