During his senior year at Montgomery Blair High School on Jan. 14, 1981, Bill Judd was suddenly called into the hallway by two staff members.
Assuming he was in trouble, Judd did not expect to hear that Stevie Wonder would be coming to the school to perform that day and that he would be helping set up audio equipment.
“My jaw dropped, I’m like oh my god, and they said don’t say anything, don’t say it out loud because it was a volunteer assembly,” Judd told MCM.
Wonder was in D.C. at the time, advocating for Martin Luther King Jr. Day to become a federal holiday. The singer chose Blair to speak and perform because of the school’s diversity.
School officials had been notified of Wonder’s intention to perform the morning of. Students heard of an optional mid-day assembly, with staff strongly encouraging them to attend.
Judd got to work helping set up the auditorium, piano and microphone.
“You know, when Stevie Wonder comes you gotta make sure everything’s ready to go,” said Judd. “The kids came in, sat down and then they closed the doors and out comes Stevie Wonder’s brother escorting Stevie Wonder.”
Wonder performed a few songs from his 1976 album “Songs in the Key of Life” and “Happy Birthday” in celebration of Dr. King. He spoke to the students about diversity, equality and his campaign to get Martin Luther King Jr. Day to become a federal holiday.
Many students skipped the assembly, not knowing what they missed, but Judd was the first to know.
“Just him and the piano, it was great. The place went nuts and all the rest is history,” said Judd.
Judd went on to work sound for many events since then, but Wonder’s performance is still the most special and personal to him.
“Stevie Wonder’s impromptu performance at Montgomery Blair High School, Jan. 14, 1981.” Via Blair 1981 yearbook.
Photos provided by Montgomery Blair High School from 1981 yearbook
