One of the highlights of our 35th Reunion Weekend, which is coming up in just three short weeks, is the "History of Motown" presentation by Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor Dr. David Williams.
Well, this post is about one Motown superstar we had a chance to see and enjoy in person while we were students at Vandy.
Born May 13, 1950, Stevie Wonder wasn't much older than most of us in the audience when he came to Vanderbilt to perform in concert our senior year.
Despite his youth, Wonder was already an international superstar for Motown Records.
When began his career in the early '60s, he was billed as "Little Stevie Wonder". But I think he had lost the first part of that moniker by the time he came to Vandy.
He had also already recorded a string of hits, releasing such classics, while we were in school, as "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday"(1969), My Cherie Amour" (1969) and, courtesy of YouTube, this chart climber in 1970, "Signed, Sealed, Delvered, I'm Yours."
I'm sorry to say I don't think I went to this concert when I was a student. My loss, especially given the artistic heights Wonder has achieved during his stellar career. Exactly when did he come to Vanderbilt our senior year? Was it in the fall or the spring semester? And where was the concert performed: at Memorial Gym or somewhere else?
If you went to this concert, or have thoughts and memories share about this or other concerts at Vanderbilt while we were there, please let me know by clicking on the comments link below.
So you can see why I am really looking foward to Vice Chancellor Williams's "History of Motown" presentation. It will be held on Friday afternoon October 24 from 4:00-5:30 PM in the Board of Trust Room of the New Student Life Center which is right across from Memorial Gym on 25th Avenue North.
Add it all up, it's one of the big reasons to come back to campus for our 35th Class Reunion in three weeks. After all, the Motown session is open to all and its free of charge. :)
1 comment:
Stevie Wonder was definitely at Memorial and the opening act was Sha-na-na I too am class of '73 but I thought the show was earlier than '72-'73. By far the greatest show was the Allman Brothers who played at Memorial as the OPPENING ACT for Jesse Colin Young. Most of us left after a few of Young's songs because it was such a comedown after the Allmans.
Post a Comment