Stevie Wonder has cancelled his upcoming Christmas benefit concerts.
Instead of his usual one-off fundraising concert, the Superstition singer decided to host four shows at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate the 26th edition of his House Full of Toys benefit.
However, he has now scrapped the shows because he didn’t have enough time to prepare.
“A week and a half ago, I came up with the idea of doing four nights at the Fonda Theatre to raise money for House Full of Toys. Big idea. Little time,” Wonder said in a statement on his L.A. radio station KJLH, reports Billboard. “So because of that little time, I’ve decided to cancel all four shows.
“Yet still, I will this year put my money where my heart is by giving a substantial donation for the children for House Full of Toys. And next year, we will again do House Full of Toys with the big idea and enough time to put it together.”
Wonder had been scheduled to perform on 18, 19, 20 and 21 December. Ticketholders will be emailed about refunds.
The 75-year-old music legend’s annual benefit concert is presented by his nonprofit organisation, We Are You Foundation, and it helps children, people with disabilities and families in need. Guests are asked to bring an “unwrapped toy or unwrapped gift of joy” – hence the name House Full of Toys.
The Isn’t She Lovely singer often recruits fellow performers to join him during the benefit, with past shows featuring appearances from Lionel Richie, Queen Latifah, Anderson .Paak and Jon Batiste.
