Luther Vandross facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Luther Vandross
Vandross performing in 1988
Background information
Birth name	Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr.
Born	(1951-04-20)April 20, 1951 Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Died	July 1, 2005(2005-07-01) (aged 54) Edison, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	R&B soul pop disco
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter record producer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1969–2004
Labels	Cotillion Epic Virgin J Sony Legacy
Associated acts	David Bowie Change Chic Dionne Warwick

Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. (born April 20, 1951 – died July 1, 2005) was an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He was famous for his smooth and soulful voice. Luther Vandross sold over 40 million records around the world.

He released eleven Platinum albums in a row and won eight Grammy Awards. Four times, he won the award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. In 2004, Vandross won four Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for "Dance with My Father". He recorded this song not long before he passed away.

In the 1970s, Vandross started his career singing backup for many artists. These included Roberta Flack, David Bowie, and Donna Summer. Later, he became the lead singer for the group Change. Their first album, The Glow of Love, became very popular in 1980. After leaving Change, he signed with Epic Records as a solo artist. His first solo album, Never Too Much, came out in 1981.

Some of his most famous songs are "Never Too Much", "Here and Now", and "Power of Love/Love Power". He also sang many popular cover songs, like "Superstar". Luther Vandross was also known for his amazing duets. He sang "The Closer I Get to You" with Beyoncé, "Endless Love" with Mariah Carey, and "The Best Things in Life Are Free" with Janet Jackson.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. was born on April 20, 1951, in Manhattan, New York City. He was the fourth child of Mary Ida and Luther Vandross Sr. His father was a singer and an upholsterer, and his mother was a nurse. Luther grew up in a public housing building in Manhattan. When he was just three years old, he taught himself to play the piano by listening to music.

Luther's father died from diabetes when Luther was eight. In 2003, Luther wrote "Dance with My Father" to honor him. The song was inspired by his childhood memories of singing and dancing with his family. When he was nine, his family moved to the Bronx. His older sisters, Patricia and Ann, often took him to see famous singers like Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin perform.

Luther graduated from William Howard Taft High School in 1969. He then went to Western Michigan University for a short time. But he soon left college to focus on his music career.

Career Highlights

While in high school, Luther started the first fan club for the singer Patti LaBelle. He was even the president! He also performed in a group called Shades of Jade, which once played at the famous Apollo Theater. Early in his career, he appeared on the TV show Sesame Street in 1969–1970.

Becoming a Backup Vocalist

In the 1970s, Luther became a very busy backup singer. He sang on albums for many stars, including Roberta Flack and Chaka Khan. He even toured with David Bowie in 1974. Luther also wrote the song "Everybody Rejoice/A Brand New Day" for the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz.

Before becoming a solo star, Luther was part of a group called Luther in the late 1970s. They released two albums, but they didn't sell very well. Luther later bought back the rights to these albums. He also sang in many TV commercials for companies like NBC, Mountain Dew, and KFC.

Breakthrough with Change and Solo Success

Luther Vandross became widely known as the lead singer for the pop-dance group Change. Their 1980 album, The Glow of Love, featured Luther's amazing voice on hit songs like "The Glow of Love" and "Searching." Luther later said "The Glow of Love" was "the most beautiful song I've ever sung."

After his success with Change, Luther signed a solo recording deal with Epic Records in 1981. He released his first solo album, Never Too Much, that same year. The title track, "Never Too Much", which he wrote, became a number-one hit on the R&B charts. This album also started his long-time collaboration with bassist Marcus Miller and arranger Nat Adderley, Jr..

Throughout the 1980s, Luther released many successful R&B albums. Two of his singles, "Stop to Love" (1986) and "There's Nothing Better Than Love" (a duet with Gregory Hines), reached number one on the R&B charts. He also produced albums for other famous artists, including Aretha Franklin's Jump to It and Dionne Warwick's How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye.

In 1989, his song "Here and Now" became his first song to reach the top ten on the main pop charts.

The 1990s and Beyond

In 1990, Luther wrote and produced a song for Whitney Houston called "Who Do You Love." He also appeared on the TV show 227.

His 1991 album, Power of Love, had two top ten pop hits. He won his first Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1991. The next year, he won two more Grammys for "Power of Love/Love Power". In 1992, his duet with Janet Jackson, "The Best Things in Life Are Free", was a big hit from the movie Mo' Money.

In 1994, Luther teamed up with Mariah Carey for a cover of "Endless Love". This song was on his album Songs, which was a collection of songs that had inspired him. He also sang with Frank Sinatra on "The Lady Is a Tramp." In 1997, he won his third Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal for "Your Secret Love."

Luther continued to release successful albums. His 2001 album, Luther Vandross, featured hits like "Take You Out." He had at least one top 10 R&B hit every year from 1981 to 1994. In 1997, Luther sang the American national anthem at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans.

Performing with Diana Ross at Madison Square Garden, July 6, 2000

In 2000, he performed with Diana Ross at her Return to Love Tour. In 2001, he sang Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" at Jackson's 30th Anniversary special, alongside Usher and 98 Degrees.

In 2003, Luther released his final album, Dance with My Father. It sold over 442,000 copies in its first week and became his only album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 album chart. The title song, "Dance with My Father", won him and co-writer Richard Marx the 2004 Grammy Award for Song of the Year. This song also earned Luther his fourth Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

Later Life and Legacy

Luther Vandross never married and did not have children. Sadly, his three older siblings passed away before him due to health issues.

Health and Passing

Luther Vandross had diabetes and high blood pressure. On April 16, 2003, he had a severe stroke at his home. He was in a coma for almost two months. The stroke made it hard for him to speak and sing, and he needed a wheelchair.

At the 2004 Grammy Awards, Luther appeared in a video to accept his Song of the Year Award for "Dance with My Father." He sang the words, "I believe in the power of love." His mother, Mary, accepted the award for him in person. Luther's last public appearance was on May 6, 2004, on The Oprah Winfrey Show. He passed away on July 1, 2005, at the age of 54, due to a heart attack.

Luther Vandross's funeral was held in New York City. Many famous singers, including Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, and Stevie Wonder, spoke and sang at the service. He was buried in Paramus, New Jersey. His mother, Mary Ida Vandross, passed away in 2008.

Impact on Music

Luther Vandross was often called "The Velvet Voice" because of his smooth and beautiful singing. Some critics even called him the "Pavarotti of Pop."

Many artists have said that Luther Vandross inspired them, including Boyz II Men, John Legend, and Usher. Stokley Williams from Mint Condition said he "studied Luther for such a long time because he was the epitome of perfect tone."

In 2008, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Luther Vandross as No. 54 on their list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. In 2010, NPR included him in their list of the 50 Greatest Voices in recorded history.

Tributes to Luther Vandross

In 1999, Whitney Houston sang Luther's song "So Amazing" as a tribute to him at the Soul Train Awards. After he passed away, many artists honored him. On September 20, 2005, an album called So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross was released. It featured his songs performed by stars like Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, and Alicia Keys. Aretha Franklin won a Grammy for her version of "A House Is Not a Home," and Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé won a Grammy for their cover of "So Amazing."

On April 20, 2021, Google Doodle celebrated Luther's 70th birthday with an animated clip that played his song "Never Too Much".

Discography

• Never Too Much (1981)
• Forever, for Always, for Love (1982)
• Busy Body (1983)
• The Night I Fell in Love (1985)
• Give Me the Reason (1986)
• Any Love (1988)
• Power of Love (1991)
• Never Let Me Go (1993)
• Songs (1994)
• This Is Christmas (1995)
• Your Secret Love (1996)
• I Know (1998)
• Luther Vandross (2001)
• Dance with My Father (2003)

Tours

• Luther Tour (1981)
• Forever For Always For Love Tour (1982–1983)
• Busy Body Tour (1984)
• The Night I Fell in Love Tour (1985–1986)
• Give Me the Reason Tour (1987)
• Any Love World Tour (1988–1989)
• Best of Love Tour (1990)
• The Power of Love Tour (1991)
• Never Let Me Go World Tour (1993–1994)
• Your Secret Love World Tour (1997)
• Take You Out Tour (2001–2002)
• BK Got Music Summer Soul Tour (2002)

Awards and Recognition

Luther Vandross won many awards during his career, including several Grammy Awards and American Music Awards.

Grammy Award

Soul Train Music Awards

American Music Award

Hollywood Walk of Fame

• Inducted: Star (Posthumous; June 3, 2014)

National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame

See Also

In Spanish: Luther Vandross para niños

• List of quiet storm songs
• Luther Burger
• Craig Seymour
• Bronx Walk of Fame