Stevie Wonder Addresses Long-Standing Rumor That He’s Not Really Blind

New York Post ^ | July 15, 2025 | Alexandra Bellusci

[simpson96]

“Longstanding”, huh?

Never heard it in my life.

[Freedom4US]

Thanks for that. You are such a FR treasure :)

[metmom]

You’re welcome.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

Because microphones emit a low noise and have a sort of a force fleld. Certainly he was thoroughly conditioned to hear where his mike was at all times when performing, and the range of its "buzz" and sensitivity.

[Albion Wilde]

Your graphic doesn't show in my browser... auuuggggh! Can you just post the link for it?

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

Your graphic doesn't show in my browser... auuuggggh! Can you just post the link for it?

Did you try right-clicking the image and selecting "Open Image in a New Tab" from the pop-up menu?

If that doesn't work, try this: http://www.quickmeme.com/img/b2/b277d5e4b3997f1861cc64b53f1906564c8303d9d8e37d821db02098b3551f8f.jpg

[Albion Wilde]

Thanks for the link. I tried posting the pic and it just wouldn’t post. Strange, for a meme site.

And the answer to the question of whether I was serious or sarcastic , as someone who has used microphones quite a bit over the years, is that I was serious. Stevie could hear its position and hear it falling because microphones do emit a subtle sound, and a blind person’s sense of hearing becomes much more acutely developed to help them navigate safely.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

And the answer to the question of whether I was serious or sarcastic , as someone who has used microphones quite a bit over the years, is that I was serious. Stevie could hear its position and hear it falling because microphones do emit a subtle sound, and a blind person’s sense of hearing becomes much more acutely developed to help them navigate safely.

As a performing musician, I'm going to have to call bull about whether a performer can hear a low mic buzz while performing the closing chorus of a very loud song like "Hey Jude," or that a blind man could hear it falling over, especially during "Hey Jude."

With tongue firmly in cheek, I have to ask, who should I believe, you or my lying eyes?

[Albion Wilde]

All I can tell you is my personal experience with hearing (mine is super acute), with microphones (I speak and perform), and with a very close friend with blindness. Some people really can hear and sense better than others. And legally blind people often still have “light and shadows” capability, but nothing beyond that.

That said, neither of us knows the truth I’m just saying, it’s possible he is legally blind—profoundly so—but also was able to sense the falling piece of equipment and instinctively make a lucky grab for it.

If you’ve been performing for a long time, has it been with ear protection? Have you noticed any loss of the top register, or conversations against a roomful of noise?

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

If you’ve been performing for a long time, has it been with ear protection? Have you noticed any loss of the top register, or conversations against a roomful of noise?

In-ear monitors with an Aviom to control the levels of other players. Nope. I hear just fine.

[Albion Wilde]

I hear just fine.

That's great! What is your instrument and what kind of music? Your screenname evokes Bluegrass or C&W.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

That's great! What is your instrument and what kind of music? Your screenname evokes Bluegrass or C&W.

Guitar and banjo with a little mandolin. Worship.

[Albion Wilde]

Lovely!!