For 12 years now, Stevie Wonder has held an annual Toys for Tots benefit in Los Angeles. And while the event allows for rare performances by the iconic singer/songwriter, the shows have also allowed Wonder to embrace his love of collaboration. Be it big names or up and comers, Wonder has graciously shared the stage with most everyone to pass through the years. This year's benefit saw Wonder coming off his first tour in more than a decade, and found the legend himself performing, along with a few special guests.

After a goose-bump inducing performance by musician Ellis Hall, Wonder returned to the stage. Seated at the keyboards, he spoke of the next artist's writing -- highlighting his truth -- before bringing out John Mayer to the delight of the Nokia L.A. crowd.

Mayer, no stranger to collaborations, launched into his 'Waiting for the World to Change,' before stopping abrubtly. "I can make that more soulful," he said, then doing just that with a stirring rendition of the hit that saw him and Wonder take turns on vocals. When the song finished, Wonder let his younger friend know that he wasn't done, both verbally and with the opening notes to Wonder's classic 'Superstition.' What followed was an extended jam that saw Mayer laying out his guitar skills at the request of Wonder. As Mayer cranked out a solo Wonder led the dancing crowd in chants of "Play, Johnny, play."

Mayer wasn't the only John to join Wonder. John Legend came out near the end of the night to sit side by side with Wonder for Legend's 'Ordinary People.' "I'm honored to be in his presence on his stage and to call him one of my biggest influences," Legend said of the evening's host.

In between the two Johns, Wonder, clearly in peak performing mode after his recent tour, showed off music from his entire career, including smashes like 'Higher Ground,' 'Living in the City' and 'Overjoyed.' The highlight, however, may have been a spirited 'Visions,' the epic piano ballad in which Wonder, at the end of the song, listed a litany of things he couldn't believe were issues in 2007, including the lack of health care, Jena 6 and the war. Never one to back down from his opinions, Wonder continues to embrace his role as an elder spokesperson. A visionary indeed.

Stevie Wonder photos