Stevie Wonder Honored By French Government
Almost 30 years after the French government bestowed Stevie Wonder with one of its highest honors, the music legend has picked up the award in person. Agence France-Presse reports that the Grammy-winner was in Paris on Saturday to accept a Commander of Arts and Letters award from French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterand. Wonder was first announced as a recipient back in 1981, but scheduling problems had prevented the music legend from participating in a formal decoration ceremony until this weekend. Wonder remembered his late mother Lula Mae Hardaway at the ceremony, citing a trip to Paris he took with Hardaway in 1964 and dedicating the award to her.
Mitterand referred to Wonder as, quote, "music's familiar genius." Then, in a nod to one of Wonder's hit singles, Mitterand added, quote, "as citizen, administrator and culture minister I just called to say we love you." Wonder was appointed by the United Nations as a Messenger of Peace in December 2009. The music star's focus in the role is to inspire people with disabilities to reach their goals in life, regardless of physical impairment.
[[Editor's note: Celebrity quote is verbatim from Twitter]] |