June 5, 2008 15:34

Stevie Wonder: 'Barack Obama like JFK and Martin Luther King'

Soul legend also praises Amy Winehouse at intimate gig

Stevie Wonder had words of praise for Barack Obama and Amy Winehouse as he launched his European tour in London today with an intimate show (June 5).

The superstar, who who will be performing in Europe for the first time in over a decade, took part in a question and answer session with journalists at the Hard Rock Café in central London's Piccadilly before playing a short set of hits.

Asked what he thought of Democratic US presidential nominee Obama, Wonder said: "He's a combination of JFK [John F Kennedy, former US President, assassinated in 1963], and Martin Luther King. With that he can't lose."

Later, when asked what he thought about Winehouse, Wonder admitted: "She reminds me of a young Etta James. 'Rehab' is a very good song. The CD ['Back To Black'] was good, my daughter turned me onto it."

The star then went on to play a short set, although the opening 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' ground to a halt due to technical problems.

Wonder took requests, the majority of which were for 'Superstition', which he closed the eight-song set with.

Stevie Wonder played:

'Signed, Sealed, Delivered'
'It Ain't No Use'
'Bird Of Beauty'
'Higher Ground'
'Happy Birthday'
'All I Do'
'Masterblaster (Jammin')'
'Superstition'

Scroll down to watch fan footage sent in from the show to NME.COM. Were you there? Send your comments, video or pictures to NME at News@NME.COM.