| Born in New York on April 20 1951, Vandross began his career writing and performing jingles for television/radio commercials. During the early to mid 1970's he established himself as a background session vocalist. A chance meeting with David Bowie led to an offer to contribute vocals on his next project. He contributed backing vocals to Bowie's 1975 album "Young Americans," as well as co-writing Bowie's No.1 single "Fame." As disco emerged in the mid 1970's Vandross found himself in great demand for his vocal prowess. As the disco movement grew, so too did his career. During disco's peak years (1977-1979) Luther can be heard on more hit songs than any other person.....bar none! Besides being the voice behind such disco groups as Lemon, Change and Bionic Boogie, to name a few, he also recorded two albums for Cotillion Records under the banner of Luther. He rounded out the rest of the decade singing backup for such luminaries as Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Bette Midler and Donna Summer on tour and in the studio. Seeking recognition as a solo artist, Luther recorded two demos and was signed to Epic Records in 1981. His debut album "Never Too Much" topped the R&B charts and scored a No. 1 R&B/Club single, also fairing well on the pop charts. The success of the two-million selling album afforded him the opportunity to not only record but produce as well. As the latter he was able to produce his early choldhood idols. His magic touch and golden throat graced, and in many cases revived the careers of, Dionne Warwick, Cheryl Lynn, Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross albums during the 1980's. Simultaneously he kept a solo career going strong with a mix of dance tracks and power ballad hits. His albums "Forever, For Always, For Love" (1982), "Busy Body" (1983), "The Night I Fell In Love" (1985), "Give Me The Reason" (1986), and "Any Love" (1988) were all million-sellers that spawned major R&B hits, but Vandross' pop success was spotty until 1989, when Epic released "The Best Of Luther Vandross...The Best Of Love," a greatest-hits album containing the new track "Here And Now," which became Vandross' first Top Ten pop hit. That proved his breakthrough, and Vandross' next album, "Power Of Love" (1991), another million-seller, featured two pop hits, "Power Of Love/Love Power" and "Don't Want To Be A Fool." He returned to the pop Top Ten in 1992 with "The Best Things In Life Are Free" from the movie "Mo' Money," a duet with Janet Jackson. His next album, "Never Let Me Go" (1993), marked a slight falloff in sales, but "Songs" (1994), an all-covers album, restored his commercial standing, featuring a gold-selling pop Top Ten remake of "Endless Love," a duet with Mariah Carey. "This Is Christmas" (1996) and "Your Secret Love" (1997) were million-sellers. "One Night With You: The Best of Love, Vol. 2" (1997) compiled his hits from 1991 to 1996. He returned in 1998 with "I Know." "Smooth Love" followed two years later and a self-titled release on J Records appeared in spring 2001. In 2002 Luther suffered a near fatal stroke and for quite sometime fans, friends and family thought we might lose him. His miraculous recovery brought a renewed outlook on life as evidenced on his 2003 release "Dance With My Father." The album easily attained Platinum status and earned him four Grammy Awards. He followed it with a stunning album to mark his return to the stage, "Live 2003 At Radio City Music Hall." His recent health problems continued and left him weak and vulnerable, the complications from his earlier stroke finally claimed his life in Edison, New Jersey just after his 54th birthday. The world lost a wonderful human being and the music industry lost one of it's most prolific vocalists....we know he's singing those vocals in heaven...we'll miss you Mr. V. |
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| Luther Vandross Born: April 20, 1951 Died: July 1, 2005 complications from a stroke... |
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