He's in a select group. That handful of performers that you "just have to see." The list is probably a bit different for everyone. But, Stevie Wonder is probably on many lists. Check one off, as Wonder not only opened Summerfest 2008, but set the tone for the Big Gig. A tone of optimism, love and in his words, "not only religion but relationships."

Flanked by a nine-piece band and three back-up singers, including his daughter Aisha Morris, Wonder's first big-scale tour in more than 10 years was a great way to kick off Milwaukee's Big Gig. He opened the show, nearly an hour after the scheduled start time, with a brief intro praising optimism, energy and Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama.

Next, after taking a seat center stage Wonder sang, "Close your eyes 'til the morning. Close your eyes 'til the early dew. Get inside what you've been missing. Are the very first words that I heard coming from you."

Yes, 1980's "As if You Read My Mind," opened the show and it was followed directly by another tune from Wonder's 1980 "Hotter than July" release, the reggae-laced "Master Blaster."

His hits, and there are many, were mainly saved for the performer's Marcus Amphitheater home stretch. The 58-year-old legend rounded out his more than two-hour gig with a huge sing-along that basically started with the wedding stand by, "Ribbon in the Sky." From there, "Overjoyed," "My Cherie Amour," "Signed Sealed Delivered," "Superstition" and other hits had the nearly capacity crowd (the upper corners in the reserved section were about the only vacant seats) on its feet.

It was fitting that Wonder opened Summerfest. Too many Milwaukeeans seem to try to take the music out of the "World's Greatest Music Festival." But, Summerfest is and always will be about the music. Stevie Wonder proved it on Thursday with an upbeat hit parade fitting for not only his elite status in the music world but Summerfest's status in the music festival world, too.