Stevie is 'Commander of Arts and Letters'

London: US singer Stevie Wonder has landed one of France`s top cultural honours. French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand gave him the recognition of Commander of the Arts and Letters.

Wonder was named a Commander in 1981, but formal decoration had been delayed due to scheduling conflicts. Mitterrand described the singer as "music`s familiar genius". Wonder remembered his mother on receiving the honor. "I receive this honour in memory of my mother and in memory of all of those that have made it possible for me to stand here today," a news channel quoted Wonder as saying. He added, “All this in one day, it``s almost too much for me. I`m breathless." Mitterrand told Wonder, "As citizen, administrator and culture minister I just called to say we love you." Wonder also collected a lifetime achievement prize at the event in Paris. ANI