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Stevie Wonder Reveals He's Taking A Break From Music To Get A Kidney Transplant

Stevie Wonder Reveals He's Taking A Break From Music To Get A Kidney Transplant

During a live performance over the weekend, Stevie Wonder revealed plans to take a break from music after falling ill.

EMS 7

EMS 7

During a live performance over the weekend, Stevie Wonder revealed plans to take a break from music after falling ill.

The prolific singer, who is now 69, must receive a kidney transplant as part of his treatment - although luckily he's already found a donor.

Speaking to the crowd at British Summer Time Hyde Park yesterday (6 July), he said: "I'm going to have surgery, I'm going to have a kidney transplant in September of this year.

"It's all good, it's all good, I'm all good, I have a donor...

"I want you to know, I came here to give you my love and to thank you for your love.

"You ain't got to hear no rumours about nothing, I told you what's up. I'm good."

The chart-topper wrapped up his set with the announcement as he played 'Superstition', and was met with cheers of support from the crowd.

PA

The singer blasted other classics throughout the performance like 'For Once in My Life' and 'Master Blaster', while stopping regularly to thank the crowd.

This is the first time Wonder's appeared at the British Summer Time event since 2016 when he played every track from his iconic album 'Songs in the Key of Life.

Yesterday he performed to thousands of people and was supported by pal Lionel Richie, who got the crowd all warmed on the Great Oak Stage.

Back in 2017, their relationship strengthened when Wonder smashed a cover of 'Easy' at Richie's Kennedy Centre Honours ceremony, to which Richie later said: "I got into the business because I wanted to be like Stevie Wonder, so for all of a sudden for Stevie to be singing my song, it was surreal."

Wonder truly is a master of his art, starting out his rise to fame with a number one single - 'Fingertips, Part 2' - at the tender age of 12. During his 56-year career he's bagged 25 Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Golden Globe and an Oscar.

PA

It's no wonder thousands of people showed up to catch his legendary set at Hyde Park yesterday, the news of his illness making it a bittersweet event.

Wonder will perform three more shows before the transplant in September, news which follows speculation Wonder's been suffering from ill health for some time.

His friend, musician Joan Belgrave, told Detroit Free Press: "He's got some health challenges, but he doesn't want a big PR thing out of this.

"He's in great spirits. You would never know anything is going on. That's how he wants it, and that's how he wants to keep it."

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Topics: Performance