Stevie Wonder to be honoured

US: The Library of Congress will honor singer-pianist Stevie Wonder with its second Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

Librarian of Congress James Billington, announcing the prize Tuesday, noted that it honors an artist whose work transcends musical styles to bring diverse listeners together and foster mutual understanding. It recognizes a musician's lifetime of work.

Wonder, 58, will receive the award Feb. 23 next year. The first Gershwin Prize was awarded in 2007 to Paul Simon, a singer-songwriter and half of Simon and Garfunkel.

Self-taught on piano, harmonica and other instruments, Steveland Morris was just 12 when he first amazed national television audiences on shows like Dick Clark's "American Bandstand."

From his earliest days as a prodigy covering Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" through such songs of his own as "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," "My Cherie Amour" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours," his music has sought to uplift and inform as well as entertain.

Among his albums: "Talking Book," "Innervisions," "Fulfillingness First Finale" and "Songs in the Key of Life," the last of which included his classic single "Love in Need of Love Today."

The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song commemorates George and Ira Gershwin, songwriting brothers who created some of the United States' most celebrated music of the early and middle 20th century. WASHINGTON, Wednesday,

AP