Signed, Sealed, and Delivered: The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder - Paperback
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered: The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder - Paperback
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by Mark Ribowsky (Author)
The first definitive biography of music legend Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder's achievements as a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer are extraordinary. During a career that has spanned almost fifty years, he has earned more than thirty Top 10 hits, twenty-six Grammy Awards, and a place in both the Rock and Roll and Songwriter Halls of Fame-and he's not finished yet. On the verge of turning sixty, he is still composing, still touring, and still attracting dedicated fans around the world.
For the first time, Signed, Sealed, and Delivered takes an in-depth look at Stevie Wonder's life and his evolution from kid-soul pop star into a mature artist whose music helped lay the groundwork for the evolution of hip hop and rap.
- Explores the life, achievements, and influence of one of America's biggest musical icons, set against the history of Motown and the last fifty years of popular music
- Based on extensive interviews with Motown producers, music executives, songwriters, and musicians, including founding Temptation Otis Williams, Mickey Stevenson, surviving Funk Brother Eddie Willis, synthesizer genius Malcolm Cecil, guitar legend Michael Sembello, and many others
- Traces Stevie's personal and musical development through the decades, from the early 1960s R&B of ""Fingertips"" to the social and political themes of ""Living for the City"" and other 1970s classics, through periods of musical and personal confusion, uncertainty, and, later, renewal
Read Signed, Sealed, and Delivered to explore the life and work of one of pop music's most compelling masters of invention.
Front Jacket
What do you call a performer who stunned the music world at the age of twelve, who had No. 1 hit records before, during, and well after the Beatles were recording, and whose influence has helped shape everything from soul, funk, and hip-hop to disco and smooth jazz? What words do justice to a musical master whose thirty-four top-10 hits and twelve top-10 albums have won a record twenty-two Grammy Awards, and who, after a brilliant fifty-year career, continues to be one of the most dynamic and sought-after performers in the world? Only two words can describe a superstar of that caliber--Stevie Wonder.
"Signed, Sealed, and Delivered" celebrates Stevie's sixtieth birthday with a full-fledged biography of this living, breathing musical genius and legend. Author Mark Ribowsky explores the life, achievements, and influence of one of America's biggest musical icons set against the history of Motown and the last fifty years of popular music.
Drawing on extensive interviews with Motown producers, music executives, songwriters, and musicians, including founding Temptation Otis Williams, Mickey Stevenson, Kim Weston, surviving Funk Brother Eddie Willis, and many others, Ribowsky sorts through conflicting accounts to reveal the truth behind how Stevie found his way to Motown Records at the tender age of eleven, why the name on his first Motown contract was not the one he was born with, and how he became "Little Stevie Wonder."
Ribowsky digs deep into Stevie's long and often strained relationship with Motown founder and control-freak-in-chief Berry Gordy. He reveals how one of Little Stevie's running pranks would exasperate Gordy and delight fellow Motown performers. He provides detailed and fascinating accounts of Motown's inner workings and how Stevie's role there evolved from wunderkind and enfant terrible to good soldier, top star, and major creative force. He also explains what was so remarkable about Stevie's first hit single "Fingertips (Part 2)," why it took more than two years to come up with his second hit, and why Marvin Gaye was booed off the stage following a performance by Stevie.
You'll also discover what Stevie Wonder loved about the Beatles and what he thought they didn't do very well, how he was influenced by Bob Dylan, how Stevie's friendly rivalry with Gaye turned into an important, though indirect, alliance for both, and much more.
Packed with little-known facts and keen insights into Stevie Wonder's musical growth and creative process, his successful collaboration with and failed marriage to Syreeta Wright, and his long struggle with sexual addiction and suicidal depression, "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered" is essential reading for all Stevie Wonder fans and anyone interested in the history of Motown and the music of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s . . .
Back Jacket
Praise for Mark Ribowsky
"A dishy, insider look at Berry Gordy's making of the Supremes . . . Ribowsky nicely intersperses some hindsight reflections by the main players . . . In this engaging, vivacious account, Ribowsky energetically and thoroughly underscores the Supremes' significance as one of the first crossover successes."
--"Publishers Weekly" on "The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success, and Betrayal"
"Perfect . . . The virtue of Ribowsky's book is that he brings the story down to earth without sacrificing its drama. Relying on frank and extensive interviews . . . Ribowsky spends time on details other writers have taken for granted."
--Greil Marcus on "He's a Rebel: Phil Spector--Rock and Roll's Legendary Producer"
Nobody would argue that Stevie Wonder had an easy start in life. Blinded within weeks of his premature birth, he was raised in stark poverty and abused by a brutish and alcoholic father who later abandoned the family. Through sheer talent, bold ambition, and a fierce desire for independence, he rose from the streets of Detroit to become a Motown prodigy, and from there to become, arguably, the most innovative, versatile, and influential musician, singer, and songwriter of the past fifty years. "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered" tells the story of Stevie Wonder in fascinating, delightful, and sometimes shocking detail. This powerful biography will have you laughing, crying, grinning, and grooving from beginning to end.
Comic Book Preorder Policy
Comic Book Preorder Policy
Golden Apple Comics Comic Book Preorder Info
What is a preorder?
A preorder is an order placed for an item that has not yet been released. For comic books and collectibles, we offer preorders to allow customers to reserve their copies in advance. This ensures they will receive the item they want and eliminates the worry of it selling out before they have a chance to buy it.
What is the difference between a pull list or subscription and a preorder?
A comic book pull list is similar to preordering books in advance, but with a few key differences. Preorders offer more flexibility, whereas a pull list can be harder to adjust. Since pull lists are typically set months in advance, adding or removing titles can be tricky. On the other hand, preorders can be placed closer to the release date— even the week of release— as long as stock is available. While there are differences, preorders can still function much like a traditional subscription pull, allowing you to secure the books you want ahead of time.
Do I pay up front for my preorder?
This process helps us verify that payment is valid and ensures you are committed to your order. Since we need to place preorders months in advance, we base our orders on the demand from our customers. By securing payment up front, we're able to reserve the books specifically for you, guaranteeing you get what you've requested.
What is “FOC” or Final Order Cut Off?
This is the final deadline for retailers to place book orders before they go to print. We cap our orders at the Final Order Cutoff (FOC). This date usually falls 1–2 months before the release date, though for hardcovers, trade paperbacks, manga, and specialty items, the timeline may be even longer. Certain items require orders to be placed at least six months in advance.
What can I find current preorders?
On the homepage of www.goldenapplecomics.com, we offer a dropdown menu organized by release date for both current and past preorders. A new catalog is uploaded around the 3rd or 4th weekend of each month once it becomes available. Cover sets and CGC offerings are typically added within a few days of the catalog’s release.
Does Golden Apple Comics offer discounts on preorders?
Yes, comic books are discounted for approximately the 1st 1 - 2 months when we list the catalog. As it gets closer to the time we need to order, the discounts will be removed. We encourage you to place your orders sooner so that we can get our ordering locked in and receive the discount.
How does shipping work?
If you place a preorder containing items with multiple release dates, your order will ship after the latest release date in the order. We typically ship new preorders within 5–10 business days of their release. However, delays can occur due to late arrivals, damages, or other unforeseen issues. We make every effort to secure replacements for damaged books, but this process can extend the turnaround time by several weeks.
Can I combine multiple orders into a single shipment?
Yes, Golden Apple Comics offers a combined shipping option for buyers with multiple orders. This allows you to add additional orders at discounted shipping rates. You’ll pay our standard shipping rate on your first order, and for subsequent orders, you can select the combined shipping option to reduce costs.
Please note that when choosing combined shipping, delivery times will vary depending on the number of books, the latest release date in your order, and how frequently you place orders.
HOW TO USE GOLDEN APPLE COMICS COMBINED SHIPPING
What grade is guaranteed on preorder books?
For preorder books, we strive to ship copies that are Near Mint (NM) 9.4 or better. While we understand collectors seek the highest grades, we cannot guarantee 9.8s on every book, as this is not always realistic. Printing imperfections and production variances make it impossible for every book to achieve a 9.8 grade.
What cover is gauranteed on preorder books?
Our listings use stock photos provided by publishers. These images may display unfinished artwork—such as sketches or virgin covers (without trade dress or logos). If a cover is a virgin variant, it will be clearly stated in the title.
If the title does not mention a virgin cover, the final product will include logos and trade dress.
It is industry standard for publishers to provide preview images to retailers before release. These previews often do not include logos, but the final printed product will.
Do you ship preorder books bagged and boarded?
Yes, all standard-sized comic books are shipped bagged and boarded. However, exceptions include items such as hardcovers, trade paperbacks, manga, and large-format or oversized books.
What if my preorder book is damaged?
We take great care in screening all books for damage and packing them securely to ensure they arrive in the best possible condition. However, despite our best efforts, a small number of books may still sustain damage during transit. If you encounter any issues, please email us at gappleorders@gmail.com, and we will be happy to assist you.
Can I cancel or return my preorder?
We do not accept cancellations, returns, or refunds on presale items. Any item sold before its official release date is considered a presale. All sales are final.
Hardcover (HC), Trade Paperback (TP), Softcover, Manga and Book Preorder Policy
Hardcover (HC), Trade Paperback (TP), Softcover, Manga and Book Preorder Policy
Items including but not limited to Hardcovers (HC), Trade Paperbacks (TPB/TP), Softcover (SC), Manga, Graphic Novels (GN), box sets are ordered at the time when a customer places an order. They will be shipped after they arrive from the publisher. We do not guarantee ship dates on HC, TPB, SC, GN, Manga or Box Sets. Typical turnaround time on these books is 1 - 3 weeks after the order is placed on nonpreorder items. On preorder items the release date is stated in the title and items will ship after that stated date.
Orders for these items are not refundable.
Refunds Policy
Refunds Policy
If you have a problem with your item that is damaged or missing please email us. We can offer a refund or exchange if we have stock. Refunds will be issued within 5 business days back to the account you paid with Paypal, Credit Cards, Bank Account etc. Refunds cannot be sent to alternate accounts.
We do not accept returns for any of the following:
No cancellations, returns or refunds on PRESALE items. Any items sold BEFORE the release dates are considered PRESALE. We will not refund ratios (IE 1:10, 1:15, 1:20, 1:25, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500 or any other type of ratio) for any reason. We will not refund any other PRESALE books. We place orders based on your orders. If you are ordering presale books we are paying for your books months in advance to secure copies specifically for you and we cannot return them for a refund. If you are ordering signed books, CGC/CBCS graded items that are preorder, please do allow plenty of time for delivery.
No Cancellations or refunds if you select our combined shipping option and do not qualify for a free shipment. Please review our SHIPPING POLICY for more details. Minimum purchase for free shipping is $100. Combined shipping orders must total over $100 to qualify for a free shipment. If your order is less than $100 you will be billed for our flat rate shipping - $6.99.
No cancellations on in stock books. Any in stock books that cannot be shipped immediately due to them being in orders with PRESALE items will not be refunded. In stock books with no PRESALE items in the order will ship ASAP when the order is ready to fill.
No refunds or returns on accurately described items. Books without a stated grade will be offered as NM 9.4 or better with no guarantee of 9.8s. We use industry standards to grade including Overstreet, CGC and CBCS standards. Not familiar with grading check out the following references:
Overstreet Comic Grading Standards
We will not accept returns or exchanges any book with out a stated grade where they would be NM 9.4 or better books. We cannot promise 9.8s on every book, that's not realistic. Printing is imperfect and does not allow for every book to be 9.8.
Please note that the following defects may be allowed in NM 9.4 as long as there is not an accumulation of defects.
bindery defects like minor to moderate corner tears, white along the edge of the spine, covers that are offset from the pages (common on cardstock covers) - bindery defects may not affect the grade much if at all
printing defects like a slight color rubs on the back covers, small wrinkles in the paper that were present on the paper rolls prior to the books being printed, paper that is "wavy" from the printing process
2 - 3 small color breaking spine dings or minor non color breaking spine dings
Shipping Policy
Shipping Policy
PRESALE ITEMS - All PRESALE items have release dates stated in the title of the listing. These items will only be available to ship AFTER the item has been released and is in hand. Presale release dates are subject to change without notice. We do not guarantee release dates set by publishers or manufacturers. If you purchase multiple presale items your order will not ship until after the last item is in stock. Presale items will ship within 5 - 10 days of us receiving them if your entire order is ready to fill.
IN STOCK ITEMS - All in stock items will ship with in 5 - 10 business days of the order being placed in most cases. If you place an order for a presale item that is going to be released or the release of the presale items has been delayed that will delay your shipment. If your order contains both PRESALE and IN STOCK items, your order will not ship until after the last item is in stock.
PREORDER BOOKS INCLUDING TPB, HC, SC, GN, Manga and Box Sets - Items including but not limited to Hardcovers (HC), Trade Paperbacks (TPB/TP), Softcover (SC), Manga, Graphic Novels (GN), box sets are ordered at the time when a customer places an order. They will be shipped after they arrive from the publisher. We do not guarantee ship dates on HC, TPB, SC, GN, Manga or Box Sets. Preorders for these items are not refundable.
COMBINED SHIPPING - Golden Apple Comics offers buyers a combined shipping cost option across multiple orders. Our combined shipping option allows you to add additional orders with free shipping. There is a $100 minimum for free shipping. Please only use this option if you plan to place multiple orders. If you are placing a single order that totals less than $100 you will be invoiced.
You pay our standard shipping on your first order. On orders after that you can select our combined shipping option to combine your orders and get free shipping.
When you select combined shipping, shipping times will vary based on the number of books, the final release date for an order, and frequency of orders.
HOW TO USE GOLDEN APPLE COMICS COMBINED SHIPPING
SPLIT SHIPMENTS - Split shipments are done as a courtesy or as part of our combined shipping system. If you do not qualify for a split shipment you will be subject to shipping charges. Please email us to request a split shipment.
IN STORE PICK UPS - Local pick ups will be filled as the items are available. We will email customers when the pick ups are filled, and let them know the items are being sent to the shop. We will partially fulfill your in-store pick-ups so you do not need to wait for the entire order to be available to receive items from your order. Please allow 48 hrs from the fulfillment email for your order to arrive at the shop for pick up.
INSURANCE - Orders are shipped with insurance for both parties protection.
SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION - Orders may be shipped with signature confirmation at our discretion based on both our insurance and payment processors requirements to be covered and insure delivery to the customer.
Please see our RETURNS AND REFUNDS policy for more details.
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