Bio
Luther Vandross (born Luther Ronzoni Vandross April 20, 1951 in New York, New York) was a R&B singer. He started his singing career in the 1970s as a session vocalist, and eventually making his breakthrough as a guest singer with the group Chic. The first instant hit from him was \"Searching.\"
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 power 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\'s title song to the film Endless Love. A second greatest hits album, released in 1997, compiled most of his \'90s hits.
Diabetes runs in his family, according to his mother Mary Vandross. His father Luther Sr. died of complications of diabetes when he 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 Song of the Year.
Vandross has a close musical companion named Marcus Miller. He was inspired by Aretha Franklin, with whom he has produced many albums for. He did many 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 2002 who later updated the song \"Until You Come Back to Me.\"
He was recovering from a stroke which he suffered shortly after the release of Dance With My Father in april 2003. Unfortunally he has been died on the 1st of july 2005 on age 54. Luther RIP.
Luther Vandross was an American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer known for his smooth, soulful voice and romantic ballads. He was born on April 20, 1951, in New York City, and grew up in a musical family, learning to play the piano and singing in church.
In the 1970s, Vandross began working as a backup singer for a number of R&B acts, including David Bowie, Chaka Khan, and Bette Midler. He also wrote songs for other artists, including "Everybody Rejoice" from the musical "The Wiz."
In 1981, Vandross released his debut album, "Never Too Much," which featured the hit single of the same name. The album showcased Vandross's silky vocals and sophisticated production style, and established him as a major R&B artist.
Vandross went on to release a string of successful albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including "Give Me the Reason," "Power of Love," and "Your Secret Love." He also collaborated with other artists, including Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Beyoncé, and wrote and produced songs for a number of R&B and pop acts.
Throughout his career, Vandross was known for his smooth, romantic ballads, many of which became R&B classics. He won eight Grammy Awards and sold over 35 million records worldwide.
In addition to his success as a recording artist, Vandross was also a talented songwriter and producer. He co-wrote the song "Jump to It" for Aretha Franklin, which became a number one R&B hit in 1982. He also produced albums for other artists, including Cheryl Lynn and Dionne Warwick.
Vandross's career was cut short when he suffered a stroke in 2003. He passed away on July 1, 2005, at the age of 54. Despite his untimely death, his music continues to be played and celebrated around the world, and his legacy as one of the greatest R&B singers of all time remains secure.
