The Power of Music: How Higher Ground Discovered Stevie Wonder from a Coma
On August 6, 1973, a tragic accident changed Stevie Wonder's life forever. On a hot moon, the young musician, who had achieved worldwide fame at the age of 23, was traveling in a rented car, a Mercury Cruiser, while his boss, John Wesley Harris, was driving. Stevie listens to the final mezclas of his new album, Inner Visionssubdued in the music that fills the silence of the street.
Suddenly, a truck that was moving past him braked abruptly, causing the lower part of the trailer to collide with the vehicle's windshields. The impact was devastating: a bullet hit Stevie's head, leaving him unconscious and seriously injured, while his body was covered in blood. The chaos and horror took over the scene, and those who traveled were further deduced, horrified by the situation.
Stevie was immediately transferred to the Winston-Salem hospital, where his condition was critical. The doctors did not offer much hope and the singer fell into a deep coma. His friend and director, Ira Tucker, was in a state of shock, unable to accept the possibility of losing Stevie. Although his appearance had changed dramatically and his breathing was barely audible, Tucker did not go away.
Believing that music could be his salvation, Ira intended to communicate with his friend through his songs. His first attempt was a failure; he shouted in Stevie's ear in the hope of a response, but there was no response. However, the next day, Tucker decided to do something different. He leaned over the bed and, with his gentle but firm voice, began to sing “Higher Ground”, one of Stevie's most recent songs.
Although Stevie did not open his eyes or say the word, Tucker noticed a slight movement towards his friend, who began to mark the rhythm of the song. It was a small but significant sign of life. The emotion was thrown to Ira, who exclaimed with joy that his friend was recovering.
The power of “Higher Ground” not only resonated in Tucker’s heart, but also drove Stevie to despair of his lethargy. Over time, music took him back to life, allowing him to rekindle and return to his career. In later memories, Stevie reflected on the experience, saying that creating “Higher Ground” was a premonition of what could happen, and that he had been given a second chance.
This episode not only highlights the profound connection between music and life, but also reflects the resilience of the human spirit. Stevie Wonder's story is a testament to the healing power of music and how, even in the darkest of times, it can become a beacon of hope and rebirth.
