The Last Holiday

In 1980 Stevie Wonder toured North America, with the purpose of lobbying for Dr King's birthday to be made a national holiday. Scott-Heron and his band were his support act. This is the story of the tour, Scott-Heron's autobiography, a portrait of Stevie Wonder and a testament to Dr King.

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In the autumn of 1980, Stevie Wonder embarked on a 41-city tour of North America - The Hotter than July Summer Superblast. It had been a long-held ambition of his and the purpose of the tour was to lobby for Dr King's birthday to be officially made into a national holiday. Scott-Heron and his band were brought in at the last moment as Stevie Wonder's support act when it became clear that Bob Marley, who was lined up to preform throughout, was not going to be leaving hospital. This volume tells the epic story of this tour and more. It is also Scott-Heron's autobiography, a portrait of Stevie Wonder and a heartfelt testament to the man who inspired the whole enterprise. Whether it is on the civil rights movement, the music industry, the media or growing up in the US South, Scott-Heron uses his outspoken insights to create an account of many remarkable people's lives. In 1986 Martin Luther King's birthday was officially declared a national holiday in the US.