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Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway, Stevie Wonder's Mother
Hardship, sacrifice, determination, and ultimate triumph are the elements that make up "Blind Faith," the frank and compelling biography of Lula Hardaway, mother of superstar musician and singer Stevie Wonder. Written with her full cooperation and participation, this is the first ever authorized look into the life of the woman who gave birth to and nurtured one of America's greatest musicians/songwriters -- and the struggles that preceded his rise to fame and fortune.To say that Lula Hardaway did not have an easy life is an understatement. It was a constant struggle for self-esteem and emotional survival. Yet survive she did -- a motherless child born in a sharecropper's shack in Alabama, she was passed from relative to relative, unwanted and, for the most part, unloved. As a teenager she was sent to Chicago, where she met a much older man whom she eventually married. Unfortunately, her life then took an even darker turn as he abused her and forced her to work as a prostitute. Determined to build a better life for her children, she started hiding money away, and one day successfully made her escape to Detroit.
One of her sons, Stevland Judkins, was blind from infancy. Although he presented special challenges, Lula noticed from the outset that this little boy impressed everyone he met with his outgoing personality, his intelligence, charm, and resourcefulness -- and his incredible musical talent. By age ten, he was playing and singing gospel tunes in church, and then joining adults singing rhythm and blues on the street corners of Detroit.
Eventually, word of this young phenomenon reached Berry Gordy, who was just beginning to establish himself as a creative force inDetroit's thriving music scene. Gordy dubbed the boy Little Stevie Wonder, and launched him into musical history when he signed him to his Motown label.
Stardom didn't come that easily -- there was the question of what material was best for Stevie, and then the question of what would happen to the twelve-year-old boy's voice when he reached puberty. Fortunately, the voice that emerged was even more musical and more captivating than it had been. Great care was taken in choosing his next projects and the result was a succession of top 10 -- and several number 1 -- hits.
By age twenty-one, Stevie had attained greater control of his career and finances by negotiating a new contract with Motown, which gave him complete control over the songs he recorded. What followed was a string of chart-topping albums and some of the most memorable popular music to come from the second half of the last century.
Through it all, Stevie Wonder never failed to credit his mother. When "Innervisions" won a Grammy award for Album of the Year in 1973, he refused to accept the award unless Lula would walk with him to the podium. He clutched his mother in front of the auditorium and in front of the millions of people watching on television, proclaiming, "Her strength has led us to this place."
Indeed, it was her strength and her belief in herself and in her sons that brought them to that place, to the very heights of success. It was her drive and her willingness to sacrifice the now for the future -- plus her abiding belief in God -- that saw them through. "Blind Faith" is not only the story of the birth of a superstar but also a stirring testament to a mother's love and determination and a frank anduncompromising look at how one woman's attempt to better her children's lives led to a lasting gift to the world.
One of her sons, Stevland Judkins, was blind from infancy. Although he presented special challenges, Lula noticed from the outset that this little boy impressed everyone he met with his outgoing personality, his intelligence, charm, and resourcefulness -- and his incredible musical talent. By age ten, he was playing and singing gospel tunes in church, and then joining adults singing rhythm and blues on the street corners of Detroit.
Eventually, word of this young phenomenon reached Berry Gordy, who was just beginning to establish himself as a creative force inDetroit's thriving music scene. Gordy dubbed the boy Little Stevie Wonder, and launched him into musical history when he signed him to his Motown label.
Stardom didn't come that easily -- there was the question of what material was best for Stevie, and then the question of what would happen to the twelve-year-old boy's voice when he reached puberty. Fortunately, the voice that emerged was even more musical and more captivating than it had been. Great care was taken in choosing his next projects and the result was a succession of top 10 -- and several number 1 -- hits.
By age twenty-one, Stevie had attained greater control of his career and finances by negotiating a new contract with Motown, which gave him complete control over the songs he recorded. What followed was a string of chart-topping albums and some of the most memorable popular music to come from the second half of the last century.
Through it all, Stevie Wonder never failed to credit his mother. When "Innervisions" won a Grammy award for Album of the Year in 1973, he refused to accept the award unless Lula would walk with him to the podium. He clutched his mother in front of the auditorium and in front of the millions of people watching on television, proclaiming, "Her strength has led us to this place."
Indeed, it was her strength and her belief in herself and in her sons that brought them to that place, to the very heights of success. It was her drive and her willingness to sacrifice the now for the future -- plus her abiding belief in God -- that saw them through. "Blind Faith" is not only the story of the birth of a superstar but also a stirring testament to a mother's love and determination and a frank anduncompromising look at how one woman's attempt to better her children's lives led to a lasting gift to the world.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
288 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 28, 2014
Authors, Dennis Love and Stacy Brown brilliantly recount the “Miraculous [life] Journey of Lula Mae Hardaway, Stevie Wonder’s Mother,” through her eyes. Lula Mae Hardaway’s faithfulness, bravery and steadfast pertinacity extend beyond inspiring! Growing up a ghetto child who has also, “been to the dark side and back,” I testify that the authors regally accomplished Queen Lula Mae Hardaway’s “chief motivation in telling her story.” Through the inspiration gained from this profound woman of DIVINITY… and BLIND FAITH, I AM Empowered. The chains of fear are vanquished! I AM in control of my destiny!
http://youtu.be/ihK_b-d9FEI
Before Berry Gordy became “little Stevland Judkins[’]” surrogate father and founder of the Stevie Wonder brand, Lula Mae Hardaway had already overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. She had gallantly gained autonomy from an abusive relationship, purchased a home and was successfully leading her family to Higher Ground. Lula’s staunch fortitude and her candidness has helped me to establish stronger bonds with my own biological mother, as well as with my sister momma. She has helped me to recognize, and face all of my fears, freeing me to visit the resting place of my Auntie Momma… and to love again, this time more definitively…
I give thanks that through this book I have bonded with the Spirit of Lula Mae Hardaway, the “Sweetest Somebody I Know.” She actually wanted doctors to give her beautiful eyes to her son…Lula is so dedicated to helping women such as myself, she struggled through health issues to ensure completion of this legacy to empower despairing women. After all of that, she returned from the other side of this existence in a dream to her son, energizing him to continue in His GOOD WORKS… http://youtu.be/yVJpxLPj02E
It is my opinion that this book, depicting the life of the woman who the world has to thank for the Blessings that have been bestowed upon us by the man behind the Stevie Wonder Brand, should be displayed on the “Silver Screen.”
http://youtu.be/ihK_b-d9FEI
Before Berry Gordy became “little Stevland Judkins[’]” surrogate father and founder of the Stevie Wonder brand, Lula Mae Hardaway had already overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. She had gallantly gained autonomy from an abusive relationship, purchased a home and was successfully leading her family to Higher Ground. Lula’s staunch fortitude and her candidness has helped me to establish stronger bonds with my own biological mother, as well as with my sister momma. She has helped me to recognize, and face all of my fears, freeing me to visit the resting place of my Auntie Momma… and to love again, this time more definitively…
I give thanks that through this book I have bonded with the Spirit of Lula Mae Hardaway, the “Sweetest Somebody I Know.” She actually wanted doctors to give her beautiful eyes to her son…Lula is so dedicated to helping women such as myself, she struggled through health issues to ensure completion of this legacy to empower despairing women. After all of that, she returned from the other side of this existence in a dream to her son, energizing him to continue in His GOOD WORKS… http://youtu.be/yVJpxLPj02E
It is my opinion that this book, depicting the life of the woman who the world has to thank for the Blessings that have been bestowed upon us by the man behind the Stevie Wonder Brand, should be displayed on the “Silver Screen.”
January 21, 2016
I of course have to mention my frustration at the fact that this was abridged - it drives me nuts. But beyond that, I thought the book was really good. Listening to Stevie's music is about as close to a truly spiritual experience as I am capable of having but I really did not know a lot about his story and really enjoyed learning more. The book is actually written very well and Viola Davis' performance is really spectacular. I will say that once the narrative reached Stevie's deal with Motown, Lula got lost and only emerged at the end as a sort of afterthought. In that regard, the subtitle was a bit misleading but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
July 27, 2014
This is the compelling biography of Lula Hardaway, mother of superstar musician and singer Stevie Wonder. Written with her full cooperation and participation, her story is of how she gave birth to and nurtured one of America's greatest musicians/songwriters — and the struggles that preceded his rise to fame and fortune. Great book and a great story.
May 29, 2018
Interesting story. I liked the first 2/3 of the book because it was about Stevie's mother and her trials. But then it suddenly changed and detailed Stevie's songs and performances and completely lost track of his mother. Then the last few pages it sums up almost 20 years of her life in a couple sentences and ends. The author should have stuck with her story.
April 3, 2014
As a major fan of Stevie wonder... I loved hearing this story from his mother's from his mothers point of view. I always new Stevie was special. But it wasn't until the story was told by his mother that I now realize how special. Enjoy this was a indeed a Good Read.
March 10, 2012
What a beautifully-written amazing story - not just about Lula Hardaway, but also about the childhood of Stevie Wonder.
March 12, 2013
The book was very interesting lets you know how far a mother would go to help her child.
February 7, 2021
Wonderful book.
Read
April 18, 2025How do you raise a prodigy when you have no resources? Lula's story is that of so many women - minimal education including no sex ed and no birth control, uneven support, grinding poverty. Yet she managed to move away from an abuser, found steady work, managed her finances to buy a house, while raising three lively boys. The last third of the story focused on Stevie's career with Motown, which was interesting, and how he took charge of his life - his mother was a great example.
April 21, 2012
Recommended by Ruth Ryan. Had some Saginaw/Detroit connections. What a mother wouldn't do to put food on the table for her children. Part of the book was devoted to Stevie Wonder's first two decades, and Motown records which I found quite interesting.
November 23, 2013
I thought this was an easy to read biography of Stevie Wonder that takes the angle of his mom and her background, too. I'd like to have seen some more concrete examples of his civil rights work and also more about if he's been an inspiration to others.
Want to read
July 8, 2008Bought this book at a discount bookstore in an Outlet mall. I've always liked Stevie and am interested to hear what his mom has to say.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews