Luther Vandross
Biography
Luther Vandross Biography
Introduction:
Luther Ronzoni Vandross was one of America’s most credible R&B vocalists and song-writer.
Luther Vandross Birth details
Luther Vandross was born on April 20, 1951 in Manhattan, New York. Luther Vandross passed away at a not so ripe age of 54 on July 1, 2005 after suffering a stroke John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey. Luther Vandross was buried at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey. Luther Vandross was diabetic and hypertensive.
Luther Vandross Personal details
Having a strong family background in music, Luther Vandross began piano lessons at three. As Luther Vandross was about to enter his teens, his family moved to the Bronx. In high-school Luther Vandross was a part of a musical group called “Shades of Jade” and even performed at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Luther Vandross joined the Western Michigan University but quit after the first year for a musical career.
Luther Vandross Career:
Luther Vandross joined a theater workshop, "Listen My Brother" who released the singles, "Only Love Can Make a Better World" and "Listen My Brother". In 1969, Luther Vandross also featured on two episodes of Sesame Street. In 1972, Luther Luther Vandross sang for an album by Roberta Flak. In 1973, Luther Vandross wrote and co-sang "Who's Gonna Make It Easier for Me" and "In This Lonely Hour" with Delores Hall.
In 1974, Luther Vandross co-wrote “Fascination” for David Bowie’s “Young Americans” and also toured as a back-up vocalist. In 1975, Luther Vandross wrote “Everybody Rejoice” for “The Wiz”, a Broadway musical in which Luther Vandross also sung in the choir. Luther Vandross formed a singing band of four along with his Shades of Jade partners Anthony Hinton, Diane Sumler, Theresa V. Reed, and Christine Wiltshire Luther Vandross also delivered hit singles like "It's good for the Soul", "Funky Music (Is a Part of Me)", and "The Second Time Around". Luther Vandross also dabbled with jingles and session singing.
Luther Vandross Accomplishments:
Throughout his musical career, Luther Vandross released 25 million albums. Luther Vandross’s singing career got a much needed lift with “Change”, in which he was the feature singer. "The Glow of Love" and "Searching" were two songs which won Luther Vandross a lot of accolades. In 1981, Luther Vandross went solo with his debut album “Never Too Much”. The self-written title song of “Never Too Much” topped the R&B charts.
Luther Vandross eventually teamed up with Marcus Miller for a song-writing and producing venture. Owing to the continuous successes of Luther Vandross albums, Luther Vandross earned himself the title of “The Black Phil Collins”. In the 1980s, Luther Vandross delivered two chart toppers- a hit single "Stop to Love" and a duet "There's Nothing Better than Love". Luther Vandross gained more popularity for Aretha Franklin's albums “Jump to it” and “Get It Right”
Luther Vandross sang, wrote and produced “How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye” which made it to the R&B and Hot 100 Charts. In 1989, Luther Vandross releases “The Best of Luther Vandross …The Best of Love”. In 1992, “Power of Love” won a Grammy Award and a duet with Janet Jackson “The Best Things in Life Are Free” was a chartbuster. Luther Vandross also essayed a silent role in Robert Townsend’s “The Meteor Man” in 1993.In 1994, Luther Vandross sang “Endless Love” with Mariah Carey which shot him up on the top-ten list.
Luther Vandross released a self-titled album “Luther Luther Vandross ” containing chart-topping hits like “Take You Out” and “I’d rather”. Luther Vandross sang the National Anthem during the 1997 NFL Super Bowl in Lousiana. Luther Vandross won his last Grammy for “Dance with My Father”- co-written by Richard Marx. In one of the songs, Luther Vandross paid a tribute to Alicia Keys. His last public appearance was on Oprah Winfrey Show in 2004.
Luther Vandross Awards:
Luther Vadross has won eight Grammy Awards out of which four were for the “Best Male R&B Vocal Performance”. In 2004, Luther Vandross won the “Grammy Award for the Song of the Year” for the hit track “Dance with My Father”.
