Middle Tennessee State University - Midlander Yearbook (Murfreesboro, TN)

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LfSiJ ' vii -Ji ■L ' Ji ' Vf ' i ' ■ Stevie The Wonderful To say that Murphy Center was graced with just the presence of a musical genius on the night of Sep- tember 14 would be a very ill con- strued error. More appropriately, the night would best be described as a home- coming event for an old friend, long missed but not forgotten. Nashville and Murfreesboro were both questioned with the statement, It ' s been so long since I ' ve been to Tennessee. Do you still care about me? Following the echo of a love so special for this man. Murphy Cen- ter was then treated to the sounds, sights, and delights of the Wonder- child — Stevie Wonder. Opening with Masterblaster, Stevie walked through the past, much to the audience ' s delight, with My Cheri Amour, Signed, Sealed and Delivered, Ribbon in the Sky, and Living for the City. As was made obvious to Murphy Center, Wonder considered audi- ence participation a must. He en- couraged ' us ' to sing, clap, and sway to the music. In one segment every- one clapped and chanted to the phrase I ain ' t never told a lie. The stage was incredible, being built upon massive speakers which revolved in the center, giving all the fans a chance to see Stevie in action. Four larger-than-life video screens hung from each corner of the stage, depiction either scenes to correlate to the song being performed, or ac- tual close-ups of Stevie. Following a half an hour inter- mission, Stevie returned to pump out such hits as Isn ' t She Lovely, There is Superstition, Part Time Lover, Loves Light in Flight, as well as new releases off the IN SQUARE CIRCLE album. He then began a harmonica solo which led into The Woman in Red sending the audience into a wild frenzy. As the special night drew to a close, Stevie asked the audience to share with him the feelings he had in his heart and broke into I Just Called to Say I Love You. He then expressed his concern over the lack of use of six words in our daily vo- cabulary: Please, Thank You, and I Love You. He reassured ' us ' that There is a place in my heart for all of you ... I love you. It was clear from the audience ' s response that the feeling was quite mutual. Stevie introduced It ' s Wrong for the finale. He explained that he wrote the song in response to the conflict in South Africa, namely Apartheid. The song was accompa- nied by dancers dressed in colorful attire reminiscent of African tribes. Stevie simply stated that this world has so many positive energies, and that they should be used to stop un- necessary oppression against any people because of their skin color. After this emotional presenta- tion, Stevie left the stage. And to quote the musical genius himself, I have to say in wonderment, I can ' t believe what God has done (Isn ' t She Lovely). The man is incredible. His talents touch so many in so many ways, by Jean Evelyn Roesler

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photo by Alecia Harris Harry Hosey of Kappa Alpha assists the Kappa Deltas with float problems. photo by MichaeT 3oni Some people will do anything to get into the homecoming game. Bounce the Clown has a ball with Karen Carpenter. photo by Frank Conle; College Life v9n

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above: Stevie claps his hands while encouraging the crowd to get involved.