 QUICK BIO
Eight-time Grammy winner Luther Vandross [April 20, 1951-July 1, 2005] was born in New York City to a musical family: sister Patricia was a member of The Crests who had a hit in 1958 with “Sixteen Candles.”
Luther began playing piano at age 3 and was a member of several music groups through high school. After dropping out of college, Vandross became an in-demand background and jingle singer. He provided vocals for projects by Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon and many others. When David Bowie overheard him singing during the recording of Bowie’s “Young Americans,” he hired him for his tour.
Vandross became a featured singer in an early 80s pop-dance group called Change, before stepping out for a solo career. His debut album, Never Too Much, brought him his first number one hit with the title track. Throughout the 80s and 90s, he racked up hits including “Power of Love/Love Power,” “Endless Love” [with Mariah Carey], “Your Secret Love” and “I’d Rather.”
Vandross battled diabetes and hypertension throughout his life, and just days before his 52nd birthday, suffered a stroke. Although he spent time in a rehab facility, he was unable to resume his public appearances. Two years after the stroke, he died from a heart attack.
Vandross’ legacy is as one of the best-selling artists of all time; his music has been played somewhere in the world, every day since 1980.
FUN FACTS
- As a member of a theater workshop group, he appeared on an early episode of Sesame Street.
- Vandross was the founder of the first-ever Patti Labelle fan club.
- His middle name (“Ronzoni”) is a tribute to a brand of pasta, one of the few things his mother could eat while pregnant with him.
BUY LUTHER VANDROSS, JR. CDs HERE
|
