Luther Vandross RIP

[stylegurrl]

From the BBC News site:

Soul singer Luther Vandross dies


The American soul singer Luther Vandross has died, aged 53.

He suffered a major stroke two years ago, but had continued to record and accepted four Grammys in 2004 while he was in a wheelchair.

In a career which included hits like Give Me The Reason and Love Won't Let Me Wait, he also won four Grammy awards for best male R&B performer.

Vandross was a crooner with a unique vocal style, who specialised in songs of love.

 

[sonjanicky29]

OMG i knew he was sick but i never expected him to die!Oh the music world lost a great one today

RIP
Sonja

 

[Kimkhuu]

......

 

[model_mom]

From MSN news
Jul 1, 5:41 PM EST
Sample & download Vandross' music

The Associated Press

Grammy award winner Luther Vandross, whose deep, lush voice on such hits as "Here and Now" and "Any Love" sold more than 25 million albums while providing the romantic backdrop for millions of couples worldwide, died Friday. He was 54.

Vandross died at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J., said hospital spokesman Rob Cavanaugh. He did not release the cause of death but said in a statement that Vandross "never really recovered from" a stroke two years ago.

Since the stroke in his Manhattan home on April 16, 2003, the R&B crooner stopped making public appearances — but amazingly managed to continue his recording career. In 2004, he captured four Grammys as a sentimental favorite, including best song for the bittersweet "Dance With My Father."

Vandross, who was still in a wheelchair at the time, delivered a videotaped thank you.

"Remember, when I say goodbye it's never for long," said a weak-looking Vandross. "Because" — he broke into his familiar hit — "I believe in the power of love."

Vandross also battled weight problems for years while suffering from diabetes and hypertension.

He was arguably the most celebrated R&B balladeer of his generation. He made women swoon with his silky yet forceful tenor, which he often revved up like a motor engine before reaching his beautiful crescendos.

Jeff O'Conner, Vandross' publicist, called his death "a huge loss in the R&B industry. He was a close friend of mine and right now it's shocking."

O'Conner said he received condolence calls Friday from music luminaries such as Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones.

Vandross was a four-time Grammy winner in the best male R&B performance category, taking home the trophy in 1990 for the single "Here and Now," in 1991 for his album "Power of Love," in 1996 for the track "Your Secret Love" and a last time for "Dance With My Father."

The album, with its single of the same name, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts while Vandross remained hospitalized from his stroke. It was the first time a Vandross album had topped the charts in its first week of release. (Story Continues On Next Page...)

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T

 

[PH1]

RIP Luther.

 

[Deep Brunette]

That's really sad. I was hoping to see him get better and continue making wonderful music. His poor family. RIP Luther.

 

[BohoChic]

I was really sad to read about this last night, he was such a great singer. Dance with my father and the duet he did with Celine Dion were some of my favorites. He will be surely missed.

 

[Spike413]

Wow, that's sad to hear.

 

[roppal222]

Just heard it now. I seriously cannot believe it.

 

[vix123]

oh no!!! i just posted 'dance with my father' in the "music that makes you cry" thread.... and i just read about this! more reason to make me cry! rest in peace Luther...

 

[fashionist]

This is indeed sad news

 

[meme527]

oh, luther

i think it would be hard to overestimate the impact he has had on vocalists, male and female but especially male, and not just soul/r+b singers. and genres like the wedding song, romantic "get your baby in the mood" songs, just his whole approach as a songwriter and vocalist. he reached the point where he was taken for granted, almost.

i posted about it on my 'blog last night - i am so sad about this - but here is a piece of it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

luther, i will miss you. i know so many people who will miss you. i sang "here and now" at a friends' wedding, and damn, what an honor, to be able to be part of people's lives in that way - and you did that for millions. most people go through life and never really do much for others. i suppose we have our reasons. but i have to say right now -


luther - thank you , thank you, thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[evexa]

Oh how sad.
I am sure he is in a better place now.
Still sad though

 

[meme527]

there is a good obituary here:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=795&e=1&u=/eo/20050701/en_music_eo/16867

for all you david bowie fans, when you hear "young americans" that;s luther in the background.

i felt this way when gregory hines died as well....

 

[*JJ*]

i love his music. so sad.

 

[vintage_princess]

I felt really shocked to read this on the news when I got online. RIP Luther

 

[Oria]

all very sad, and truly shocking. may his soul rest in eternal peace.

 

[kristi evert]

luther was a really amazing singer. i was lucky enough to see him sing at both radio city music hall & at madison square garden.
he left a lot of great music, from his vocals on david bowie's 'young americans,' to the change hits 'searching to find the one' and 'the glow of love.'

he wrote and produced 2 important aretha franklin pop-soul Lps in the 80s, 'jump to it' and 'get it right.'

and his amazing solo Lps, I love 'never too much,' his version of 'a house is not a home' can stand with dionne warwicke's as one of the best burt bacharach interpretations ever.

I also recommend his lps 'the night i fell in love' and 'forever for always for love.'
[his version of 'since I lost my baby' is equally stunning.]

jimmy jam & terry lewis produced LV & janet on 'the best things in life are free' a wonderful pop-soul number from 'mo' money.'

and his grammy winning 'dance with my father' is a fitting memorial to this extremely talented & heartfelt artist, who touched millions with his beautiful voice spirit & emotions.

 

[meme527]

i didn't realize that four of his siblings died before him , from diabetes complications as well. his poor mother.

i've been listening to his remake of 'endless love' with mariah carey. it's almost classical, the way he supports her in duet, considering how much both of them use elaborate ornamentation - all the gospel runs and fills. i realize the song was put together in the studio, but i know they could have pulled off something as emotional and as "together" as that live, because they are (were) both such pros.

"a house is not a home" is a really complicated composition, from the perspective of a singer - rhythmically, harmonically, structurally. it displays luther's skill very nicely.

i've been missing him a lot this weekend.

 

[travis_nw8]

his death has been overlooked elsewhere.glad to see it here...