Luther Vandross: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:LutherVandross.jpg|thumb|Luther Vandross]]

'''Luther Vandross''' (born '''Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr.''') ([[April 20]], [[1951]] – [[July 1]], [[2005]]) was an [[African American]] [[R&B]] [[singer]]. Born in [[New York City]], he started his singing career in the [[1970s]] as a back-up vocalist for artists such as [[David Bowie]] (who discovered him and put him on his ''[[Young Americans]]'' album), [[Roberta Flack]], [[Carly Simon]], [[Donna Summer]], [[Bette Midler]], [[Chic]], and [[Barbra Streisand]]. He eventually made his breakthrough as a guest singer with the group [[Change]]. The first song of his to become a hit was "Searching." .

During the beginning of his career, Vandross was content to remain mostly in the background, as a producer and backup singer for other artists. Eventually, Roberta Flack decided to push Vandross into starting his own career because she believed that he was an incredible talent who deserved to be heard for his singing in addition to his songwriting and production.

It was only in the [[1980s]] that Vandross' career skyrocketed, with albums such as ''Forever, for Always, for Love'' and ''Give Me The Reason''. When Vandross produced his [[1989]] greatest hits album, ''The Best of Luther Vandross...The Best Of Love'', he ended up hitting the Top Ten for the first time with the ballad ''Here And Now''.

It was only in the [[1980s]] that Vandross' career skyrocketed, with albums such as ''[[Forever, for Always, for Love]]'' and ''[[Give Me The Reason]]'', and a string of successful R&B hits such as "Never Too Much". When Vandross produced his [[1989]] greatest hits album, ''[[The Best ofOf Luther Vandross...The Best Of Love]]'', he ended up hitting the Toptop Tenten for the first time with the ballad ''"Here And Now''".

More albums followed into the [[1990s]] (beginning with [[1991]]'s ''Power Of Love''), and Vandross hit the Top Ten again in [[1994]] with a duet featuring [[Mariah Carey]], a cover of [[Lionel Richie]] and [[Diana Ross]]'s title song to the film ''[[Endless Love]]''. A second greatest hits album, released in [[1997]], compiled most of his '90s hits.

More albums followed intoin the [[1990s]], (beginning with [[1991]]'s ''[[Power Of Love]]''),. and Vandross hit the Toptop Tenten again in [[1994]] with "Endless Love", a duet featuringwith [[Mariah Carey]], and a cover of [[Lionel Richie]] and [[Diana Ross]]'s titlehit song tofrom the film ''[[Endless Love]]''. A second greatest hits album, released in [[1997]], compiled most of his '90s hits.

[[Diabetes mellitus|Diabetes]] runs in his family, according to his mother Mary Vandross. His father Luther Sr. died of complications of diabetes when Luther Jr. was five years old. In [[2003]], Vandross released the album ''Dance With My Father'' in memory of his father. The title track, which was dedicated to the memory of Luther Vandross, Sr., won Luther and his co-writer [[Richard Marx]] the [[2004]] [[Grammy Award]] for [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]].

[[Diabetes mellitus|Diabetes]] runs in his family, according to his mother Mary Vandross. His father, Luther Sr., died of complications offrom diabetes when Luther Jr. was five years old. In [[2003]], Vandross released the album ''[[Dance With My Father]]'' in memory of his father. The title track, which was dedicated to the memory of Lutherthe younger Vandross,' Sr.childhood dances with his father, won Luther and his co-writer, singer [[Richard Marx]], the [[2004]] [[Grammy Award]] for ''[[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song ofOf theThe Year]]''. The song also won Vandross his fourth and final award in the [[Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]] category, which he had also won in [[1997]] for "Your Secret Love", [[1991]] for "Here And Now", and [[1992]] for "The Power Of Love/Love Power". To date, "Here And Now" and "The Power Of Love/Love Power" remain arguably Vandross' best known solo hits.

He was inspired by [[Aretha Franklin]], with whom he produced many albums. Vandross did many [[cover versions|remakes of old songs]], such as "Since I Lost My Baby" (originally recorded by [[The Temptations]]), "Superstar (Until You Come Back to Me)" (originally recorded by [[The Carpenters]] and most recently recorded by [[Ruben Studdard]]), "Love Won't Let Me Wait" (originally recorded by [[Major Harris]]), "Always and Forever" (originally recorded by [[Heatwave]]), "Knocks Me Off My Feet" (originally recorded by [[Stevie Wonder]]), and "Lovely Day" (originally recorded by [[Bill Withers]]). He later inspired his J Records labelmate [[Ruben Studdard]], the [[American Idol]] of 2003 who later updated the song "Until You Come Back to Me."

HeVandross was inspired by [[Aretha Franklin]], withfor whom he eventually produced many albums. Vandross did many [[cover versions|remakes of old songs]], such as "Since I Lost My Baby" (originally recorded by [[The Temptations]]), "Superstar (Until You Come Back toTo Me)" (originally recorded by [[The Carpenters]] and most recently recordedcovered by [[Ruben Studdard]]), "Love Won't Let Me Wait" (originally recorded by [[Major Harris]]), "Always and Forever" (originally recorded by [[Heatwave]]), "Knocks Me Off My Feet" (originally recorded by [[Stevie Wonder]]), and "Lovely Day" (originally recorded by [[Bill Withers]]). HeVandross lateralso inspired his J Records labelmate, [[Ruben Studdard]], the [[American Idol]] of 2003, who later updated theVandross' song "Until You Come Back to MeSuperstar"."

Besides Studdard, Vandross also inspired countless other artists (both male and female), such as [[Boyz II Men]], [[Usher Raymond|Usher]], [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]], [[Alicia Keys]] and [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]]. It was with Beyoncé that he recorded yet another cover of a well-known hit song, "The Closer I Get to You" (originally recorded by [[Roberta Flack]] and [[Donny Hathaway]]). Another ''[[American Idol]]'' contestant, [[Scott Savol]], has an affinity for Vandross' music, and he sang three famous songs (including "Superstar" in the show's [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]] auditions).

Besides Studdard, Vandross also inspired countless other artists (both male and female), such as [[Boyz II Men]], [[Usher Raymond|Usher]], [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]], [[Alicia Keys]] and [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]]. It was with Beyoncé that he recorded yet another cover of a well-known hit song, "The Closer I Get toTo You" (originally recorded by [[Roberta Flack]] and [[Donny Hathaway]]). Another ''[[American Idol]]'' contestant, [[Scott Savol]] of the 2005 season, hashad an affinity for Vandross' music, and he sang three of Vandross' famous songs during that season of the show (including "Superstar" in the show's [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]] auditions).

There have been many questions regarding Vandross' sexuality, mainly due to his working relationship with producer Marcus Miller. Rumors have flown since the 1980's saying that Vandross was [[homosexuality|gay]]. The rumors were never proven true. Another musician with a strong connection to Vandross, [[saxophonist]] [[Dave Koz]], did come out of the closet in [[2004]]. Vandross was a featured vocalist on Koz's [[1999]] album, ''The Dance.''

There have been many questions regarding Vandross' sexuality, mainly due to his working relationship with producer Marcus Miller. Rumors have flown since the 1980's saying1980s that Vandross was [[homosexuality|gay]]. The rumors were never provenproved to be true during Vandross' lifetime. Another musician with a strong connection to Vandross, [[saxophonist]] [[Dave Koz]], did come out of the closet in [[2004]]. Vandross was a featured vocalist on Koz's [[1999]] album, ''The Dance.''.

Credited with inventing the [[Luther Burger]].

CreditedVandross is credited with inventing the [[Luther Burger]].

Vandross died at the age of 54 on [[July 1]] [[2005]] at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in [[Edison, New Jersey]], at 1:47pm [[EDT]] (1747 [[UTC]]), at a medical center in Edison, New Jersey, from complications due to a [[stroke]] he had suffered 2 years earlier.

Vandross died at the age of 54 on [[July 1]], [[2005]] at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in [[Edison, New Jersey]], at 1:47pm [[EDT]] (1747 [[UTC]]), at aJohn medicalF. centerKennedy Medical Center in Edison[[Ediston, New Jersey]], from complications due to a [[stroke]] he had suffered 2 years earlier. He was surrounded by his family and friends at the time of his death, and they said his passing was a peaceful one.

== Discography ==