COVERSTORY: "LUTHER VANDROSS"
Luther Vandross was born on the 20th of April 1951 in the Bronx, New York
City, USA. Disaster struck in 2003 when Luther has been a victim of a
stroke which he never really recovered from. Luther regretfully died at
the 1st of July 2005 at the age of 54 in the JFK Medical Centre
in New Jersey. In a videotaped message for the 2004 Grammy
Awards, Luther said: “Remember, when I say goodbye it’s never
for long…” before breaking into his hit ‘I Believe In The
Power Of Love’.
Luther's biography & discography:
Growing up in a gospel family, Luther Vandross already started a group while still at school. He worked with the musical theatre workshop "Listen My Brother" and also performed at the Harlem's Apollo Theatre. During the 70's Luther was invited to join David Bowie with his
"Young American's" album. Luther became the opening act with Bowie's US Tour.
As a succesful session vocalist Luther's great tenor voice contributed to many recordings with Chaka Khan, Ringo Starr, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, Quincy Jones, Patti Austin, Gwen Guthrie, Chic and Sister Sledge.
In the late 70's and a few years before "Never Too Much" from 1981 Luther Vandross recorded two albums titled "Luther" and "This Close To You" with the session group "Roundtree" and "Change". These two "Cotillion" labeled albums are on many "soul Purists" wanted lists, including ours. He also sang for Nile Rodgers' and Bernard Edward's group "Chic". There was talk of a deal with Quincy Jones, but that didn't take place.
At that time Luther produced music for various network television advertisements, but one of his most successful session recordings came with Jacques Fred Petrus' and Mauro Malavasi's group "Change" on the 1980 album "Glow Of Love".
Luther signed with Epic in 1981 for a solo and debut album "Never Too Much" which sold two million copies. "Never Too Much" was an R&B number one hit and reached the Top 40. While maintaining his solo career, he also produced albums for Aretha Franklin and other female singers thoughout the 80's.
His albums Forever, for Always, for Love (1982), Busy Body (1983) which featured "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye", a duet with Dionne Warwick, The Night I Fell in Love (1985), Give Me the Reason (1986), and Any Love (1988) were all million-sellers. There's Nothing Better Than Love (duet with Gregory Hines) and Stop To Love (1986) became # 1 R&B hits. His pop success came in 1989, when Epic released "The Best Of Love", which was a "Greatest Hits" album containing the new track "Here and Now," which became Vandross' first Top Ten pop hit. That proved his breakthrough. His 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."
Luther returned to the pop Top Ten with "The Best Things in Life Are Free" in 1992, a duet with Janet Jackson from the movie Mo' Money. His next album was "Never Let Me Go" (1993) featuring great songs like "Lady, Lady" and "Hustle". While covering evergreens with the album " Songs" (1994) Luther featured 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 also million-sellers. "One Night With You - The Best of Love Vol. 2" (1997) compiled Luther's hits from 1991 to 1996. He returned in 1998 with I Know. His Smooth Love collection followed two years later and a self-titled release on J Records appeared in spring 2001 featuring the uptempo "You really Started Someting".
In June 2003 his latest album "Dance With My Father" has been released for J Records.
Visit Luther's official website:
www.luthervandross.com
Listen to
his ballad from 2003 "Dance With My Father"
(WMP required)
Luther's
concerts in Holland were always sold like hot cakes.
Albums:
(collection albums without any new songs are not included)
Never Too Much (Epic 1981)
Forever, For Always, For Love (Epic 1982)
Busy Body (Epic 1983)
The Night I Fell In Love (Epic 1985)
Give Me The Reason (Epic 1986)
Any Love (Epic 1988)
Power Of Love (Epic 1991)
Never Let Me Go (Epic 1993)
Songs (Epic 1994)
This Is Christmas (Epic 1995)
Your Secret Love (Epic 1996)
One Night With You (1997)
I Know (Epic 1998)
Luther Vandross (J Records 2001)
Dance With My Father (J Records 2003)
