Legendary R&B singer Luther Vandross died Friday (July 1st) at the age of 54. A spokesperson for the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey announced Vandross's passing, but did not give a cause of death. A statement said Vandross never really recovered from the stoke he suffered two years ago. Vandross was a lifelong bachelor who never had any children, but was devoted to his family and was known for doting on his nieces and nephews.
Over the years Vandross battled a constant weight problem and had a number of health issues, including diabetes and hypertension. On April 16th, 2003, he suffered a devastating stroke at his home in Manhattan. Vandross stopped making public appearances, but remarkably, as he worked to recover from the stroke, he continued his recording career. In 2004, he won four Grammy Awards, including Best Song for the sentimental ballad "Dance With My Father," from the album of the same name. Vandross was unable to accept the award in person, but via video and looking frail, he delivered his acceptance speech from a wheelchair, saying, "Remember, when I say goodbye it's never for long, because," -- he broke into the refrain from his song -- "I believe in the power of love."
Luther Vandross was one of the most famous R&B singers of his generation, and also one of the best-loved by fans and his peers alike. Known for his smooth tenor, he had a unique style that few could copy. "I'm proud of that -- it's one of the things that I'm most proud of," he told the Associated Press in a 2001 interview, adding, "I was never compared to anyone in terms of sound." While his contemporaries belted out songs with sexually explicit lyrics, Vandross's style was more reminiscent of a crooner, and his sexy style was known to make women swoon. He said, "I'm more into poetry and metaphor and I would much rather imply something rather than to blatantly state it."
Born Luther Ronzoni Vandross in New York City on April 20th, 1951, he began playing the piano at the age of three. Both his parents were singers and his sister, Patricia, was part of a 1950s group called the Crests. Luther started his music career while still at Howard Taft High School in the Bronx, performing with a group called Listen My Brother which performed at the Apollo Theater and on the very first episode of Sesame Street. Even then, however, Vandross's weight was already a problem. In high school he was tipping the scales at three-hundred pounds. He told the Washington Post that his size led to him being denied opportunities that his talent would have warranted. He knew all about arranging voices and how to showcase them, but he recalled, "They didn't want me to front the group," adding wistfully, "I carried that with me for a long time." His professional frustration would manifest itself in binge-eating and the weight problems that he continued to battle for the rest of his life. He went on to spent two semesters studying music at Western Michigan, and worked at a series of jobs which included being a clerk for S&H Green stamps before deciding to try making a living as a musician.
In 1974, he was invited by a friend to Philadelphia's Sigma Sound recording while David Bowie was recording his album Young Americans. Bowie was impressed by Vandross when he overheard him singing, and invited him to arrange all the vocal parts on the album. He also sang on most of the backing tracks, and Bowie took his song "Funky Music (It's A Part of Me)" and rewrote it as "Fascination." Vandross went on tour singing back-up for Bowie, and also performed as part of his opening act. At the same time, his song "Everybody Rejoice (A Brand New Day)" was featured on the soundtrack of The Wiz. Although Bowie predicted that Vandross would "be a star within a year," it was the era of disco, and Vandross's sound was not the style of the moment. He recalled, "Singers were almost frowned upon at that time. A singer was simply a vehicle for the producer's vision."
Bowie introduced Vandross to Bette Midler, who also used him as a background singer. He went on to become a popular background singer for artists such as Ringo Starr, Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, Average White Band and Chaka Khan, among others. During the '70s he recorded two albums with a group called Luther, though his sound didn't mesh with the band's disco flavor. By 1977, Vandross was earning a living as a session vocalist and a jingle singer -- he could be heard singing commercials for AT&T, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Miller Beer, to name a few. And even though Vandross was making about a half a million dollars from advertising work, he longed to be an artist in his own right, but feared being scorned because of his weight.
In 1980, Vandross was the lead vocalist for a group called Change. The group recorded two albums and had two hits on the R&B charts, "Searchin'" and "The Glow of Love." In 1981 Roberta Flack recorded his song "You Stopped Lovin' Me," and invited him to tour with her. Looking back at his career, Vandross credits Flack for urging him to become a solo artist. He recalled, "She said: You're getting too comfortable (in the background)." Vandross released his debut solo album Never Too Much, which launched him on an extraordinarily successful career. His hits included "Here And Now," "Stop To Love," "Don't Want To Be A Fool," "So Amazing," "Power of Love/Love Power," and "Superstar/Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" -- to name just a few. A sought-after producer, Luther wrote hits for and/or produced such top artists as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick. He was also known for his live shows, which featured glamorous stage costumes, elaborate settings, and outstanding showmanship. In his lifetime, Vandross sold over 25 million albums.
Vandross was 6-feet-3-inches tall, but even at his heaviest, he was considered a handsome man. He hid his constantly changing weight by buying gaudy jackets in every size. And while his weight was always a topic of conversation for reporters and critics, it seemed to matter little to his loyal fans.
For years he lived in sumptuous splendour in Beverly Hills, in a house filled with pictures by Hockney, Matisse and Picasso. But in 1996 his fear of earthquakes prompted him to move back to New York.
In 2000, Luther was honored with a special BET Walk Of Fame tribute. He released his 15th, and last album, Dance With My Father, on June 10th, 2003. The set, which was produced by Richard Marx, included a duet with Destiny Child's Beyonce Knowles, "The Closer I Get To You," plus collaborations with rapper Busta Rhymes, Queen Latifah, Foxy Brown and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Vandross' publicist, Jeff O'Conner, called his death "a huge loss in the R&B industry. He was a close friend of mine and right now it's shocking." He told the Associated Press he'd already received condolence calls from Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones.
Roberta Flack, who is on tour in Japan, told the AP by phone: "He was a musician who couldn't help but give you all he had. He was the kind of guy who was born to do what he did musically and let the world know about it. He was not born to keep it smothered in the chest."
John Legend said onstage Friday night at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, just hours after hearing of Vandross' death: "I'm gonna try to give a hand to Luther Vandross one more time." "All us people making slow jams now, we was inspired by the slow jams Luther Vandross was making." (Source MTV.com)
Backstage at the Essence Music Festival Ruben Studdard said, "Luther was a big influence on me. I'm blessed to be able to have seen him do his thing and have him influence me musically. I love him. He has been and continues to be a great inspiration to me. He will be truly missed." (Source MTV.com)
Patti LaBelle noted, "He was one of the greatest voices that ever sang a song. He was one of the sweetest men I have ever known. And he was one of the best friends I have ever had. I'm so happy that his legacy will live on forever. ... Luther was one of a kind and will never be forgotten. I miss him more than words could ever say." (Source MTV.com)
Mya said, "I love Luther and his music. It was a real pleasure to work with him. It is a very sad loss." (Source MTV.com)
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Luther Vandross on surprising audiences: "I always like when an audience member can sit there and say, 'I don't know what it is but, when you come to a Luther show you just get more of something. I like that.' That's why I would go through having the gowns made, things like that, because it just fills you with entertainment. You feel taken care of as an audience member, like their not gonna try and slip something past so that they can make a quick buck, you know? 'He actually went through a lot of preparation to present this.' You know, I like when that's apparent."
From 1999, Vandross comments on being called the "Best Male Singer" after being honored with the Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievement at the Soul Train Music Award: "There's no such thing as the best male singer. There's no such thing as the best painter. Maybe there is the best car. Maybe there is the best shoemaker, but there is no such thing as the best singer, the best dancer, the best painter. It's all subjective at that point. It's all under the adage that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."
Luther Vandross in an appearance on Oprah following his stroke, saying he felt sad that his family had to suffer with him through the difficult experience of recovery: "I feel a sense of sadness and joy. Mostly sadness though about what I've experienced and sadness about what others have experienced in reference to the stroke."
Luther Vandross's taped acceptance speech from the 2004 Grammy Awards: "Hello everybody. I wish I could be with you there tonight. I want to thank everyone for your love and support. And remember, when I say goodbye, it's never for long because 'I believe in the power of love.'"
American Idol's Ruben Studdard on being compared to Luther Vandross:
"That's a great comparison. Luther Vandross is one of the great singers of all time, and I will never be able to fill his shoes. I will never be able to be as good as him, but hopefully I'll make a niche in the industry for myself."
Beyonce Knowles says she was honored when Luther Vandross invited her to sing on Dance With My Father: "He called and asked did I want to collaborate with him? I grew up dancing to his music, singing his music, hearing my mom and dad listen to that music, and I completely was just in disbelief that he asked me that. I was so honored."
Alicia Keys gives her reaction to the death of Luther Vandross: "Mr. Luther Vandross personally for me is a big inspiration. I'm so sad in that we've lost him at such an early age. I'm shocked, actually. For music, I think that he's added and left the legacy behind that will inspire many many to come, and he's added such his own dimension. I heard some of his music on the radio this morning, and it just puts you in this space that you just can't help but traveling through. So, we'll miss him."
(from wvmv.com)
Over the years Vandross battled a constant weight problem and had a number of health issues, including diabetes and hypertension. On April 16th, 2003, he suffered a devastating stroke at his home in Manhattan. Vandross stopped making public appearances, but remarkably, as he worked to recover from the stroke, he continued his recording career. In 2004, he won four Grammy Awards, including Best Song for the sentimental ballad "Dance With My Father," from the album of the same name. Vandross was unable to accept the award in person, but via video and looking frail, he delivered his acceptance speech from a wheelchair, saying, "Remember, when I say goodbye it's never for long, because," -- he broke into the refrain from his song -- "I believe in the power of love."
Luther Vandross was one of the most famous R&B singers of his generation, and also one of the best-loved by fans and his peers alike. Known for his smooth tenor, he had a unique style that few could copy. "I'm proud of that -- it's one of the things that I'm most proud of," he told the Associated Press in a 2001 interview, adding, "I was never compared to anyone in terms of sound." While his contemporaries belted out songs with sexually explicit lyrics, Vandross's style was more reminiscent of a crooner, and his sexy style was known to make women swoon. He said, "I'm more into poetry and metaphor and I would much rather imply something rather than to blatantly state it."
Born Luther Ronzoni Vandross in New York City on April 20th, 1951, he began playing the piano at the age of three. Both his parents were singers and his sister, Patricia, was part of a 1950s group called the Crests. Luther started his music career while still at Howard Taft High School in the Bronx, performing with a group called Listen My Brother which performed at the Apollo Theater and on the very first episode of Sesame Street. Even then, however, Vandross's weight was already a problem. In high school he was tipping the scales at three-hundred pounds. He told the Washington Post that his size led to him being denied opportunities that his talent would have warranted. He knew all about arranging voices and how to showcase them, but he recalled, "They didn't want me to front the group," adding wistfully, "I carried that with me for a long time." His professional frustration would manifest itself in binge-eating and the weight problems that he continued to battle for the rest of his life. He went on to spent two semesters studying music at Western Michigan, and worked at a series of jobs which included being a clerk for S&H Green stamps before deciding to try making a living as a musician.
In 1974, he was invited by a friend to Philadelphia's Sigma Sound recording while David Bowie was recording his album Young Americans. Bowie was impressed by Vandross when he overheard him singing, and invited him to arrange all the vocal parts on the album. He also sang on most of the backing tracks, and Bowie took his song "Funky Music (It's A Part of Me)" and rewrote it as "Fascination." Vandross went on tour singing back-up for Bowie, and also performed as part of his opening act. At the same time, his song "Everybody Rejoice (A Brand New Day)" was featured on the soundtrack of The Wiz. Although Bowie predicted that Vandross would "be a star within a year," it was the era of disco, and Vandross's sound was not the style of the moment. He recalled, "Singers were almost frowned upon at that time. A singer was simply a vehicle for the producer's vision."
Bowie introduced Vandross to Bette Midler, who also used him as a background singer. He went on to become a popular background singer for artists such as Ringo Starr, Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, Average White Band and Chaka Khan, among others. During the '70s he recorded two albums with a group called Luther, though his sound didn't mesh with the band's disco flavor. By 1977, Vandross was earning a living as a session vocalist and a jingle singer -- he could be heard singing commercials for AT&T, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Miller Beer, to name a few. And even though Vandross was making about a half a million dollars from advertising work, he longed to be an artist in his own right, but feared being scorned because of his weight.
In 1980, Vandross was the lead vocalist for a group called Change. The group recorded two albums and had two hits on the R&B charts, "Searchin'" and "The Glow of Love." In 1981 Roberta Flack recorded his song "You Stopped Lovin' Me," and invited him to tour with her. Looking back at his career, Vandross credits Flack for urging him to become a solo artist. He recalled, "She said: You're getting too comfortable (in the background)." Vandross released his debut solo album Never Too Much, which launched him on an extraordinarily successful career. His hits included "Here And Now," "Stop To Love," "Don't Want To Be A Fool," "So Amazing," "Power of Love/Love Power," and "Superstar/Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" -- to name just a few. A sought-after producer, Luther wrote hits for and/or produced such top artists as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick. He was also known for his live shows, which featured glamorous stage costumes, elaborate settings, and outstanding showmanship. In his lifetime, Vandross sold over 25 million albums.
Vandross was 6-feet-3-inches tall, but even at his heaviest, he was considered a handsome man. He hid his constantly changing weight by buying gaudy jackets in every size. And while his weight was always a topic of conversation for reporters and critics, it seemed to matter little to his loyal fans.
For years he lived in sumptuous splendour in Beverly Hills, in a house filled with pictures by Hockney, Matisse and Picasso. But in 1996 his fear of earthquakes prompted him to move back to New York.
In 2000, Luther was honored with a special BET Walk Of Fame tribute. He released his 15th, and last album, Dance With My Father, on June 10th, 2003. The set, which was produced by Richard Marx, included a duet with Destiny Child's Beyonce Knowles, "The Closer I Get To You," plus collaborations with rapper Busta Rhymes, Queen Latifah, Foxy Brown and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Vandross' publicist, Jeff O'Conner, called his death "a huge loss in the R&B industry. He was a close friend of mine and right now it's shocking." He told the Associated Press he'd already received condolence calls from Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones.
Roberta Flack, who is on tour in Japan, told the AP by phone: "He was a musician who couldn't help but give you all he had. He was the kind of guy who was born to do what he did musically and let the world know about it. He was not born to keep it smothered in the chest."
John Legend said onstage Friday night at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, just hours after hearing of Vandross' death: "I'm gonna try to give a hand to Luther Vandross one more time." "All us people making slow jams now, we was inspired by the slow jams Luther Vandross was making." (Source MTV.com)
Backstage at the Essence Music Festival Ruben Studdard said, "Luther was a big influence on me. I'm blessed to be able to have seen him do his thing and have him influence me musically. I love him. He has been and continues to be a great inspiration to me. He will be truly missed." (Source MTV.com)
Patti LaBelle noted, "He was one of the greatest voices that ever sang a song. He was one of the sweetest men I have ever known. And he was one of the best friends I have ever had. I'm so happy that his legacy will live on forever. ... Luther was one of a kind and will never be forgotten. I miss him more than words could ever say." (Source MTV.com)
Mya said, "I love Luther and his music. It was a real pleasure to work with him. It is a very sad loss." (Source MTV.com)
----------------------------------
Luther Vandross on surprising audiences: "I always like when an audience member can sit there and say, 'I don't know what it is but, when you come to a Luther show you just get more of something. I like that.' That's why I would go through having the gowns made, things like that, because it just fills you with entertainment. You feel taken care of as an audience member, like their not gonna try and slip something past so that they can make a quick buck, you know? 'He actually went through a lot of preparation to present this.' You know, I like when that's apparent."
From 1999, Vandross comments on being called the "Best Male Singer" after being honored with the Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievement at the Soul Train Music Award: "There's no such thing as the best male singer. There's no such thing as the best painter. Maybe there is the best car. Maybe there is the best shoemaker, but there is no such thing as the best singer, the best dancer, the best painter. It's all subjective at that point. It's all under the adage that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."
Luther Vandross in an appearance on Oprah following his stroke, saying he felt sad that his family had to suffer with him through the difficult experience of recovery: "I feel a sense of sadness and joy. Mostly sadness though about what I've experienced and sadness about what others have experienced in reference to the stroke."
Luther Vandross's taped acceptance speech from the 2004 Grammy Awards: "Hello everybody. I wish I could be with you there tonight. I want to thank everyone for your love and support. And remember, when I say goodbye, it's never for long because 'I believe in the power of love.'"
American Idol's Ruben Studdard on being compared to Luther Vandross:
"That's a great comparison. Luther Vandross is one of the great singers of all time, and I will never be able to fill his shoes. I will never be able to be as good as him, but hopefully I'll make a niche in the industry for myself."
Beyonce Knowles says she was honored when Luther Vandross invited her to sing on Dance With My Father: "He called and asked did I want to collaborate with him? I grew up dancing to his music, singing his music, hearing my mom and dad listen to that music, and I completely was just in disbelief that he asked me that. I was so honored."
Alicia Keys gives her reaction to the death of Luther Vandross: "Mr. Luther Vandross personally for me is a big inspiration. I'm so sad in that we've lost him at such an early age. I'm shocked, actually. For music, I think that he's added and left the legacy behind that will inspire many many to come, and he's added such his own dimension. I heard some of his music on the radio this morning, and it just puts you in this space that you just can't help but traveling through. So, we'll miss him."
(from wvmv.com)
