The soul icon — born Stevland Hardaway Judkins — was diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) as an infant. Caused by excess oxygen in the incubator used after his premature birth, the condition led to a detachment of the retinas and permanent blindness by the time he was just six weeks old.

Stevie Wonder revealed the “truth” about his impaired vision to a live audience, after longstanding industry jokes and speculation that he is not actually blind. On stage at Blackweir Fields in Cardiff, Wales, during his Love, Light & Song U.K. tour earlier this month, the 75-year-old explained how he is able to “see” people.

Stevie Wonder addressed rumors about his blindness during a recent concert in Wales, sharing the story of how he lost his vision as a child