Coming of Age at Motown

Stevie Wonder may have been a star at thirteen, but he was still a boy. The law said that he had to stay in school. Stevie wanted to stay in school and learn, of course, but he also wanted to record songs and perform at concerts. The schedule between school and his career was difficult. At one point, the state of Michigan said he must be in school every weekday. But that would have harmed Stevie's career.

Stevie needed to be at the Motown recording studios most days of the week. He also needed to be traveling around the country and singing. Albums sold well when musicians performed in concert. If his albums didn't sell, then Stevie's music career would fail quickly. Something had to be worked out with his schooling schedule that allowed him to continue recording and touring.