"Stars on Stevie" (also known as "Stars on 45 III:A Tribute to Stevie Wonder" in the US and "Stars Medley" in the UK) is a song medley released in February 1982 by the Dutch soundalike studio group Stars on 45 (credited to 'Stars On' in the US and 'Starsound' in the UK). It was the first single from the band's third full-length release The Superstars (US title:Stars on Long Play III;UK title:Stars Medley) and it was the Stars on 45's fourth single release in both Europe and North America.
The "Stars on Stevie" medley featured a selection of songs made famous by Stevie Wonder,ranging from his first US hit "Fingertips" (released in 1963 and credited to Little Stevie Wonder) via classics like "Isn't She Lovely","You Are the Sunshine of My Life","Sir Duke" and "Yester-Me,Yester-You,Yesterday" to his then most recent American charttopper "Master Blaster". The soundalike vocals were provided by established Dutch singer Tony Sherman (born Renold Shearman in Curaçao),who had started his career in music as early as in 1970 with Dutch-Caribbean funk band Reality and releasing a series of albums with them before going solo in the late 70s.
"Stars on Stevie" became the highest charting Stars on 45 single in the US since their first charttopping Beatles medley,peaking at #28 on Billboard's Hot 100. In the UK,it became the group's fourth consecutive Top 20 hit,peaking at #14 in February 1982,slightly higher in Ireland at #10 and it was indeed a #20 hit in most parts of Europe. In the Netherlands,"Stars on Stevie" reached #6,making it their fourth Top 10 hit within the space of twelve months.
The "Stars on Stevie" medley was re-issued in 1991 under the title "Stars on Stevie Megamix" on the Arcade label to promote The Very Best of Stars on 45 compilation album and has since appeared on a number of other greatest hits compilations with the group. The only difference between these two versions;however,is the sound of a live audience that has been overdubbed throughout the "Megamix",in all other respects they are in fact identical.
Formats and track listings
1982 Dutch,US &UK 7" single
Side one
"Stars on Stevie" (US title:"Stars on 45 III (A Tribute to Stevie Wonder)") (7" version) –5:19 (US:4:40)
All tracks written by Stevie Wonder unless otherwise noted
↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrateded.). St. Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid 1983 and 19 June 1988.
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