View source for Luther Vandross

{{Short description|American singer (1951–2005)}}
{{About|the singer|his self-titled album|Luther Vandross (album){{!}}''Luther Vandross'' (album)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name              = Luther Vandross
| image             = Luther Vandross 1985b.jpg
| image_upright     = 1
| caption           = Vandross in 1985
| background        = solo_singer
| birth_name        = Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr.
| birth_date        = {{birth date|1951|4|20}}
| birth_place       = New York City, U.S.
| death_date        = {{death date and age|2005|7|1|1951|4|20}}
| death_place       = [[Edison, New Jersey]]
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[Soul music|soul]]|[[Pop music|pop]]|[[disco]]|[[quiet storm]]}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|record producer}}
| years_active      = 1969–2003
| label             = {{hlist|[[Cotillion Records|Cotillion]]|[[Epic Records|Epic]]|[[Virgin Records|Virgin]]|[[J Records|J]]|[[Sony Music|Sony]]|[[Legacy Recordings|Legacy]]}}
| website           = {{URL|luthervandross.com}}
}}
'''Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr.''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|v|æ|n|d|r|oʊ|s}} {{respell|VAN|drohs}}; April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) was an American [[Soul music|soul]] and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] singer, songwriter, and record producer. Over his career, he achieved eleven consecutive [[RIAA certification|RIAA-certified]] platinum albums and sold over 40 million records worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barker |first1=Andrew |date=June 3, 2014 |title=Luther Vandross Receives Star on Walk of Fame |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2014/music/news/luther-vandross-receives-star-on-walk-of-fame-1201208466/ |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Vandross was recognized by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' as one of the 200 greatest singers of all time (2023)<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 1, 2023 |title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |access-date=August 19, 2023}}</ref> and was named one of the greatest R&B artists by ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 12, 2015 |title=The 35 Greatest R&B Artists of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/best-r-and-b-singers-of-all-time-6737387/ |access-date=September 6, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> [[NPR]] also included him among its [[50 Great Voices]]. He won eight [[Grammy Award]]s,<ref>{{cite web |date=July 8, 2005 |title=Vandross' Funeral Soulful and Powerful |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/21620783 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428120734/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/21620783 |archive-date=April 28, 2006 |access-date=December 2, 2006 |publisher=Yahoo! News}}</ref> including [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] in [[46th Annual Grammy Awards|2004]] for "[[Dance with My Father (song)|Dance with My Father]]".<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |date=July 1, 2005 |title=Obituary: Luther Vandross |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/2975731.stm |access-date=December 2, 2006}}</ref> He has been inducted into both the [[National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame]] and the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=February 13, 2025 |title=Recordings by Jay-Z, Santana, Miami Sound Machine and More Inducted Into Grammy Hall of Fame: Full List |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/grammy-hall-of-fame-2025-inductions-jay-z-santana-miami-sound-machine/cat-stevens-tea-for-the-tillerman/ |access-date=February 13, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

Vandross began his music career in the late 1960s performing at the [[Apollo Theater]] in New York City as part of a local musical ensemble. The group later appeared on the television show ''[[Sesame Street]]'' in the early 1970s. He eventually established himself as a sought-after backing vocalist, contributing to albums by [[Roberta Flack]], [[Donny Hathaway]], [[Todd Rundgren]], [[Evelyn "Champagne" King]], [[Judy Collins]], [[Chaka Khan]], [[Bette Midler]], [[Diana Ross]], [[David Bowie]], [[Ben E. King]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Laura Branigan]] and [[Donna Summer]]. In 1980, he served as the lead vocalist for the post-disco group [[Change (band)|Change]] on their Gold-certified album ''[[The Glow of Love]]'', released on Warner/RFC Records.

After Vandross left the group, he was signed to [[Epic Records]] as a solo artist and released his debut solo album, ''[[Never Too Much (album)|Never Too Much]]'', in 1981. In 1982, he was credited as the primary producer on [[Aretha Franklin]]'s album [[Jump to It|''Jump to it'']], which topped the [[Top R&B Albums|''Billboard'' R&B Albums]] chart. His hit songs include "[[Never Too Much (song)|Never Too Much]]", "[[Here and Now (Luther Vandross song)|Here and Now]]", "[[Any Love (Luther Vandross song)|Any Love]]", "[[Power of Love/Love Power]]", "[[I Can Make It Better]]", and "[[For You to Love]]". He also recorded several covers of songs originally performed by other artists, including "[[Since I Lost My Baby]]", "[[Superstar (Delaney and Bonnie song)|Superstar]]", "[[I (Who Have Nothing)]]", and "[[Always and Forever (Heatwave song)|Always and Forever]]".

Vandross collaborated on several notable duets, including "[[The Closer I Get to You#Luther Vandross and Beyoncé version|The Closer I Get to You]]" with [[Beyoncé]], "[[Endless Love (song)#Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey version|Endless Love]]" with [[Mariah Carey]], and "[[The Best Things in Life Are Free (Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson song)|The Best Things in Life Are Free]]" with [[Janet Jackson]] of which the latter two were hit songs in his career. The tribute album ''[[So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross]]'' was released shortly after his death. In 2024, [[Kendrick Lamar]] and [[SZA]] released the chart-topping single "[[Luther (song)|Luther]]", paying homage to Vandross and sampling his rendition of "[[If This World Were Mine]]", a duet with [[Cheryl Lynn]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=What are Kendrick Lamar and SZA's 'luther' lyrics about? The true meaning explained |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/news/music/kendrick-lamar-luther-lyrics-meaning-sza-who/ |access-date=February 21, 2025 |website=Capital |language=en}}</ref> In January of that same year, he was the subject of the documentary ''[[Luther: Never Too Much]]'', which chronicles his life, career, and legacy.

== Early life ==
Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr.,<ref name="Spin">{{cite magazine|title=Soul God|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=komIU8HDrboC&pg=PA32|first=Barry|last=Walters|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|publisher=Spin Media LLC|volume=3|issue=1|pages=31–33, 97|access-date=September 21, 2014|date=April 1987}}</ref> who was of [[African Americans|African American]] heritage, was born on April 20, 1951, at [[Bellevue Hospital]], in the [[Kips Bay]] neighborhood of [[Manhattan]], New York City.<ref name="Seymour16">{{harvnb|Seymour|2004|p=16 cdd}}</ref> His birth occurred concurrently with General [[Douglas MacArthur]]'s ticker-tape parade throughout the same city. He was the fourth and youngest child (Patricia, Ann, Anthony)<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite magazine|title=Luther Vandross' Mother Thanks Fans For Prayers; Says Singer Is Making Progress|magazine=Jet|date=May 19, 2003|volume=103|issue=21|pages=16–17|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rrQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA16|access-date=September 20, 2014|issn=0021-5996}}</ref> as well as the younger son of Mary Ida Vandross and Luther Vandross Sr.<ref name="books.google.com"/> His father was an [[upholsterer]] and singer,<ref name=JetChristian /> and his mother was a nurse.<ref name="GuardianObit">{{cite news|title=Obituary: Luther Vandross|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/jul/04/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries2|first=Garth|last=Cartwright|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=July 4, 2005|access-date=May 24, 2014}}</ref> Vandross was raised on Manhattan's [[Lower East Side]] in the [[Alfred E. Smith Houses]] [[Public housing in the United States|public housing development]].<ref name="NewYorkCoombs">{{cite magazine|last1=Coombs|first1=Orde|author-link1=Orde M. Coombs|title=The Voice of The New Vulnerability|magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|date=February 15, 1982|volume=15|issue=7|pages=45–49|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nOcCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA47|access-date=September 20, 2014|publisher=New York Media, LLC|issn=0028-7369}}</ref> At the age of three, having his own [[phonograph]], Vandross taught himself to play the piano by ear.<ref name="Spin"/>

His father died of [[diabetes]] when Vandross was eight years old.<ref name="Spin"/><ref name="NewYorkCoombs"/><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Luther Vandross' Mother Becomes Spokesperson For Diabetes|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|date=March 1, 2004|volume=105|issue=9|page=12|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5LUDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA12|access-date=September 20, 2014|issn=0021-5996}}</ref> In 2003, Vandross wrote the song "[[Dance with My Father (song)|Dance with My Father]]" and dedicated it to him; the title was based on his childhood memories and his mother's recollections of the family singing and dancing in the house. His family moved to [[the Bronx]] when he was nine.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Luther Vandross Inducted into Bronx Walk of Fame|magazine=Jet|date=August 27, 2007|volume=112|issue=8|page=32|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ToDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32|access-date=October 10, 2014|issn=0021-5996}}</ref> His older sisters, Patricia "Pat" and Ann, began taking Vandross to the [[Apollo Theater]] and to a theater in [[Brooklyn]] to see [[Dionne Warwick]] and [[Aretha Franklin]] perform.<ref name="Spin"/> Patricia sang with the vocal group [[The Crests]]<ref name="VibeSearching">{{cite magazine|last1=Seymour|first1=Craig|author-link1=Craig Seymour|title=Searching|magazine=Vibe|date=September 2001|volume=9|issue=9|pages=166–170|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2iUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA166|access-date=September 21, 2014|publisher=Vibe Media Group|issn=1070-4701}}</ref> and was featured on the songs "My Juanita" and "Sweetest One".<ref name=JetChristian>{{cite magazine|last1=Christian|first1=Margena A.|title=Luther Vandross: R&B Superstar 1951–2005|magazine=Jet|date=July 24, 2005|volume=108|issue=4|pages=26–38|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YrUDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37|access-date=September 21, 2014|issn=0021-5996}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=George|first1=Lynell|title=Luther Vandross, 54; 'Soul Balladeer' Sang With Eloquence and Restraint|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jul-02-me-vandross2-story.html|access-date=November 19, 2015|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 2, 2005}}</ref>

Vandross graduated from [[William Howard Taft High School (New York City)|William Howard Taft High School]] in the Bronx in 1969,<ref name="VibeSearching"/> and attended [[Western Michigan University]] for one and a half semesters before dropping out to continue pursuing a career in music.<ref name=leeds>{{cite news|title=Luther Vandross, Smooth Crooner of R&B, Is Dead at 54|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/02/arts/music/02vandross.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=May 24, 2014|first=Jeff|last=Leeds|date=July 2, 2005}}</ref>

== Career ==
While in high school, Vandross founded the first [[Patti LaBelle]] fan club, of which he was president.<ref name=VibeSearching /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Witchel|first1=Alex|title=Miss LaBelle's Kitchen: Hot Sauce and Gold Lamé|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/28/dining/miss-labelle-s-kitchen-hot-sauce-and-gold-lame.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=November 19, 2015|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 28, 2003}}</ref> He also performed in a group, Shades of Jade,<ref name="Spin" /> that once played at the [[Apollo Theater]].<ref name="Cosgrove2019">{{Cite book |last=Cosgrove |first=Stuart |title=Harlem 69: the future of soul |date=2019 |publisher=Polygon, Birlinn Ltd |isbn=978-1-84697-474-8 |series=The soul trilogy |location=Edinburgh |pages=163-164}}</ref> During his early years in show business, he appeared several times at the Apollo's famous amateur night.<ref name="Spin"/><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Norment|first1=Lynn|title=Love Power!|journal=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|date=December 1991|volume=47|issue=2|pages=93–94, 96, 98|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A9QDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA96|access-date=September 20, 2014|issn=0012-9011}}</ref> While Vandross was a member of Apollo Theater workshop group Listen My Brother, they released one single "Only Love Can Make a Better World".<ref name="Cosgrove2019" /> The group performed in front of tens of thousands at the [[Harlem Cultural Festival]] in late August 1969.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://rockandrollglobe.com/funk/are-you-ready-black-people-summer-of-soul-takes-us-higher/ |newspaper=Rock & Roll Globe |title='Are You Ready, Black People?': Summer Of Soul Takes Us Higher |last=Porter |first=James |date=July 6, 2021 |access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref> Directly afterward, the group appeared in the pilot episode and other episodes of the first season of ''[[Sesame Street]]'' during 1969–1970.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luthervandross.com/biography|title=Biography|work=luthervandross.com|access-date=July 29, 2015|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316032753/https://luthervandross.com/biography/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 1970s: Backing vocalist and first groups ===
Vandross added backing vocals to ''[[Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway]]'' in 1972,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/roberta-flack-donny-hathaway-mw0000203230/credits|title=Credits|work=AllMusic}}</ref> and worked on Delores Hall's ''Hall-Mark'' album (1973). He sang with her on the song "Who's Gonna Make It Easier for Me", which he wrote, and he contributed another song, "In This Lonely Hour".{{citation needed|date=June 2013}} After his song "Funky Music (Is a Part of Me)" was re-written as "[[Fascination (David Bowie song)|Fascination]]" with [[David Bowie]] for the latter's ''[[Young Americans]]'' (1975) album, Vandross went on to tour with him as a backing vocalist in September 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.davidbowie.com/news/luther-vandross-dies-aged-54-24871|title=Luther Vandross Dies Aged 54|date=July 2, 2005|work=davidbowie.com|access-date=December 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210181033/http://www.davidbowie.com/news/luther-vandross-dies-aged-54-24871|archive-date=February 10, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Vandross wrote "Everybody Rejoice/A Brand New Day" for the 1975 Broadway musical ''[[The Wiz]]''.<ref name=JetChristian /><ref name=leeds /><ref name=Billboard1982 />

Vandross also sang backing vocals for artists including [[Roberta Flack]],<ref name=JetChristian/> [[Chaka Khan]], [[Ben E. King]], [[Bette Midler]], [[Diana Ross]], [[Carly Simon]], [[Barbra Streisand]], [[David Bowie]], [[Cat Stevens]], [[Gary Glitter]], [[Ringo Starr]], [[Sister Sledge]], and [[Donna Summer]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Luther Vandross|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1493312/Luther-Vandross.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1493312/Luther-Vandross.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=November 15, 2015|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=July 4, 2005}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/jul/04/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries2|title=Luther Vandross Leading soul singer of the disco age|last1=Cartwright|first1=Garth|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=July 4, 2005|access-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref> and for the bands [[Mandrill (band)|Mandrill]], [[Chic (band)|Chic]]<ref name=Billboard1982>{{cite magazine|last1=Grein|first1=Paul|title=Vandross Cooks Up a Storm|magazine=Billboard|date=February 13, 1982|volume=94|issue=6|pages=6, 53|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BCUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6|access-date=November 15, 2015}}</ref> and [[Todd Rundgren]]'s [[Utopia (band)|Utopia]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Edwards|first1=Michael|title=Todd Rundgren's Utopia Live At Hammersmith Odeon '75|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/todd_rungrens_utopia-live_at_hammersmith_odeon_75|website=[[Exclaim!]]|access-date=November 19, 2015|date=April 11, 2012}}</ref> Before his solo breakthrough, Vandross was part of a singing quintet named Luther in the late 1970s. The quintet consisted of former Shades of Jade members Anthony Hinton and Diane Sumler, as well as Theresa V. Reed, and [[Christine Wiltshire]], signed to [[Cotillion Records]]. Although the singles "It's Good for the Soul", "Funky Music (Is a Part of Me)",<!-- they were top 40 r&b hits according to Billboard1982 ref --><ref name="Billboard1982" /> and "The Second Time Around" were relatively successful, their two albums, the self-titled ''[[Luther (album)|Luther]]'' (1976) and ''[[This Close to You]]'' (1977), which Vandross produced, did not sell enough to make the charts.<!-- possible ref<ref name="GuardianObit"/> --> Vandross bought back the rights to those albums after Cotillion dropped the group, preventing them from being re-released.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Phil|title=Barry may be the walrus of love. But Luther is the real thing|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/barry-may-be-the-walrus-of-love-but-luther-is-the-real-thing-1271436.html|access-date=November 15, 2015|work=[[The Independent]]|date=October 23, 2011}}</ref> Both albums were re-released in 2024.

Vandross also wrote and sang commercial [[jingles]] from 1977 until the early 1980s, for companies including [[NBC]], [[Mountain Dew]], [[Kentucky Fried Chicken]], [[Burger King]], and [[Juicy Fruit]].<ref name=JetChristian /><ref name="NewYorkCoombs"/> He continued his successful career as a popular session singer during the late 1970s. His aforementioned song "Everybody Rejoice", sometimes called "A Brand New Day", was used in a [[Kodak]] commercial during the mid-1970s.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWuJXQuLajQ | title=Kodak Instant Camera Xmas Commercial (1976) | date=December 14, 2016 | via=YouTube }}</ref>

In 1978, Vandross sang lead vocals for [[Gregg Diamond]]'s disco band, Bionic Boogie, on the song titled "Hot Butterfly".<ref name="Spin"/> Also in 1978, he appeared on [[Quincy Jones]]'s ''[[Sounds...and Stuff Like That!!]]'' most notably on the song "I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning" along with [[Patti Austin]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Neal|first=Mark Anthony|author-link=Mark Anthony Neal|title=Looking for Leroy: Illegible Black Masculinities|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sKRFmvIVcEIC&pg=PA147|access-date=September 20, 2014|year= 2013|publisher=[[New York University Press]]|isbn=978-0-8147-6060-4|page=147}}</ref> Vandross also sang with the band Soirée and was the lead vocalist on the track "You Are the Sunshine of My Life"; he also contributed background vocals to the album along with [[Jocelyn Brown]] and [[Sharon Redd]], each of whom also saw solo success. Additionally, he sang the lead vocals on the group Mascara's LP title song "See You in L.A." released in 1979. Vandross also appeared on the group Charme's 1979 album ''Let It In''.{{citation needed|date=June 2013}}

=== 1980s: Change and solo breakthrough ===
[[File:Luther Vandross 1982.jpg|thumb|Vandross in 1982]]
Vandross made his career breakthrough as a featured singer with the vaunted pop-dance act [[Change (band)|Change]], a studio concept created by French-Italian businessman [[Jacques Fred Petrus]]. Their 1980 hits, "The Glow of Love" (by Romani, Malavasi and Garfield) and "Searching" (by Malavasi), featured Vandross as the lead singer. In a 2001 interview with ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'', Vandross said "The Glow of Love" was "the most beautiful song I've ever sung in my life."<ref name=VibeSearching /> Both songs were from Change's debut album, ''[[The Glow of Love]]''.

Vandross was originally intended to perform on their second and highly successful album ''[[Miracles (Change album)|Miracles]]'' in 1981, but declined the offer as Petrus didn't pay enough money. Vandross's decision led to a recording contract with [[Epic Records]] that same year,<ref name=JetChristian/> but he also provided background vocals on "Miracles" and on the new Petrus-created act, the [[B. B. & Q. Band]] in 1981. During that year, Vandross jump-started his second attempt at a solo career with his debut album, ''[[Never Too Much (album)|Never Too Much]]''. In addition to the hit title track it contained a version of the Bacharach & David song "[[A House Is Not a Home (song)|A House Is Not a Home]]".<ref name=JetChristian/>

The song "[[Never Too Much (song)|Never Too Much]]", written by Vandross, reached No. 1 on the R&B charts. This period also marked the beginning of a songwriting collaboration with bassist [[Marcus Miller]], who played on many of the tracks and would also produce or co-produce several tracks for Vandross. The ''Never Too Much'' album was arranged by Vandross's high school classmate, [[Nat Adderley Jr.]], a collaboration that would last throughout Vandross's career.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Oshinsky|first1=Matthew|title=Born to swing: Nat Adderley Jr. returns to his roots|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/09/born_to_swing_nat_adderley_jr.html|access-date=September 20, 2014|work=[[The Star-Ledger]]|date=September 10, 2009}}</ref>

Vandross released a series of successful R&B albums during the 1980s and continued his session work with guest vocals on groups like Charme in 1982. Many of his earlier albums made a bigger impact on the R&B charts than on the pop charts. During the 1980s, two of Vandross's singles reached No. 1 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' R&B charts: "Stop to Love", in 1986, and a duet with [[Gregory Hines]], "There's Nothing Better Than Love".<ref>.[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=luther vandross|chart=all}} Artist Chart History], ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''</ref> Vandross was at the helm as producer for Aretha Franklin's Gold-certified, award-winning comeback album ''[[Jump to It]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Grien|first1=Paul|title=Arif, Aretha Back on Top; And Now, It's Miller Time|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=September 4, 1982|volume=94|issue=34|page=6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT5|access-date=September 20, 2014|publisher=[[Nielsen Business Media, Inc.]]|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> He also produced its follow-up album, 1983's ''[[Get It Right (album)|Get It Right]]''.<ref name=JetChristian /><ref>{{cite book|last=Bego|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Bego|title=Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ErKigdCXUwoC&pg=PA215|year= 2010|publisher=Da Capo Press|isbn=978-0-7867-5229-4|page=215}}</ref>

In 1983, the opportunity to work with his main musical influence, [[Dionne Warwick]], came about with Vandross producing, writing songs, and singing on ''[[How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye]]'', her fourth album for [[Arista Records]].<ref name=JetChristian /><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Waldron|first1=Clarence|title=Luther Vandross Tells What Inspires Him As Songwriter And Entertainer|magazine=Jet|date=June 17, 1985|volume=68|issue=14|pages=54–55|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R7MDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54|access-date=September 20, 2014|issn=0021-5996}}</ref> The [[How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye (song)|title track duet]] reached No. 27 on the Hot 100 chart (No. 7 R&B / No. 4 [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]),<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=dionne warwick|chart=all}} Artist Chart History], ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''</ref> while the second single, "Got a Date" was a moderate hit (No. 45 R&B / No. 15 Club Play).

Vandross wrote and produced "It's Hard for Me to Say" for [[Diana Ross]] from her ''[[Red Hot Rhythm & Blues]]'' album.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Walters|first1=Barry|title=Diana Ross: Red Hot Rhythm and Blues|magazine=Spin (magazine)|date=September 1987|volume=3|issue=6|page=26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-eDfuEXUHp8C&pg=PA26|access-date=September 20, 2014|publisher=Spin Media LLC|issn=0886-3032}}</ref> Ross performed the song as an a cappella tribute to [[Oprah Winfrey]] on her final season of ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]''. She then proceeded to add it to her successful 2010–12 "[[More Today Than Yesterday: The Greatest Hits Tour]]. Vandross also recorded a version of this song on his ''[[Your Secret Love]]'' album in 1996.

[[File:Luther Vandross 1985.jpg|thumb|Vandross in 1985]]
In 1985, Vandross first spotted the talent of {{Anchor|Jimmy Salvemini}}Jimmy Salvemini, who was 15 at the time, on ''[[Star Search]]''. He thought Salvemini had the perfect voice for some of his songs and contacted him. He was managed by his brother, Larry Salvemini. A contract was negotiated with [[Elektra Records]] for $250,000 and Vandross agreed to produce the album. He contacted longtime friends–[[Cheryl Lynn]], [[Alfa Anderson]] (of [[Chic (band)|Chic]]), [[Phoebe Snow]] and [[Irene Cara]]–to appear on the record. Jimmy Salvemini's album, ''Roll It'', was released in 1986.

Vandross also sang the [[ad-libs]] and [[background vocals]], along with Syreeta Wright and Philip Bailey, in [[Stevie Wonder]]'s 1985 hit "[[Part-Time Lover]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Timeline|url=http://www.luthervandross.com/timeline/|publisher=Luther Vandross|access-date=November 18, 2015|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118203243/http://www.luthervandross.com/timeline/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1984, he voiced a cartoon character named Zack for [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC's]] ''Zack of All Trades'', a three Saturday morning animated [[Public service announcement|PSA]] spots.<ref>{{cite news|title=7 Creepy Saturday Morning Monsters|url=http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/10/28/7-creepy-saturday-morning-monsters/|access-date=November 19, 2015|publisher=MTV|date=October 28, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119142623/http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/10/28/7-creepy-saturday-morning-monsters/|archive-date=November 19, 2015}}</ref> He sang as part of the background chorus on Bowie's 1986 single "[[Underground (David Bowie song)|Underground]]", from the movie ''[[Labyrinth (1986 film)|Labyrinth]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes | title=Underground | type=Liner notes | year=1986 | publisher=[[EMI]]}}</ref>

The 1989 compilation album ''[[The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love]]'' included the ballad "[[Here and Now (Luther Vandross song)|Here and Now]]", his first single to chart in the Billboard pop chart top ten, peaking at No. 6.

=== 1990s ===
In 1990, Vandross wrote, produced and sang background for [[Whitney Houston]] in a song titled "Who Do You Love" which appeared on her album ''[[I'm Your Baby Tonight]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Waldron|first1=Clarence|title=Whitney Houston Talks About Her Long-Awaited Album, 'I'm Your Baby Tonight'|magazine=Jet|date=November 5, 1990|volume=79|issue=4|pages=34–36|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lrsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34|access-date=November 18, 2015}}</ref> In the same year, he guest starred on the television sitcom ''[[227 (TV series)|227]]''.<ref name=JetChristian /><ref name="JetJune1992">{{cite magazine|title=People Are Talking About...|magazine=Jet|date=June 8, 1992|volume=82|issue=7|page=61|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hLkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA61|access-date=November 18, 2015}}</ref> More albums followed in the 1990s, beginning with 1991's ''[[Power of Love (Luther Vandross album)|Power of Love]]'' which spawned two top ten pop hits. He won his first Grammy award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in [[33rd Annual Grammy Awards|1991]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bookbinder|first1=Adam|title=Luther Vandross' Top 5 Smooth R&B Songs|url=http://947thewave.cbslocal.com/2014/04/21/luther-vandross-top-5-smooth-rb-songs/|access-date=November 18, 2015|publisher=94.7 The WAVE|date=April 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118192710/http://947thewave.cbslocal.com/2014/04/21/luther-vandross-top-5-smooth-rb-songs/|archive-date=November 18, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> He won his second Best Male R&B Vocal in the [[Grammy Awards of 1992]], and his track "Power of Love/Love Power" won the [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song]] in the same year. In 1992, "[[The Best Things in Life Are Free (Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson song)|The Best Things in Life Are Free]]", a duet with [[Janet Jackson]] from the movie ''[[Mo' Money]]'' became a hit.<ref name="JetChristian" /> In 1993, he had a brief non-speaking role in the [[Robert Townsend (actor)|Robert Townsend]] movie ''[[The Meteor Man (film)|The Meteor Man]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Robert Townsend's 'The Meteor Man' Uses Cast of Stars to Battle Drugs, Violence and Gangs|magazine=Jet|date=August 9, 1993|volume=84|issue=15|pages=58–61|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HcEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA58|access-date=November 18, 2015}}</ref> He played a hit man who plotted to stop Townsend's title character.<ref name="JetJune1992" />

Vandross hit the top ten again in 1994, teaming with [[Mariah Carey]] on a [[cover version]] of [[Lionel Richie]] and [[Diana Ross]]'s duet "[[Endless Love (song)|Endless Love]]".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Trust|first1=Gary|title=Mariah Carey's 25 Biggest Billboard Hits|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/6106408/mariah-carey-25-top-billboard-hits-hot-100-chart|access-date=November 18, 2015|magazine=Billboard|date=June 3, 2014}}</ref> It was included on the album ''[[Songs (Luther Vandross album)|Songs]]'', a collection of songs that had inspired Vandross over the years. He also appears on "[[The Lady Is a Tramp]]" released on [[Frank Sinatra]]'s ''[[Duets (Frank Sinatra album)|Duets]]'' album. At the [[Grammy Awards of 1997]], he won his third Best Male R&B Vocal for the track "Your Secret Love".

A second greatest hits album, released in 1997, compiled most of his 1990s hits and was his final album released through Epic Records. After releasing ''I Know'' on Virgin Records, he signed with [[J Records]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Luther Vandross Signs with Clive Davis' New Label, J Records|magazine=Jet|date=October 23, 2000|volume=98|issue=20|page=38|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IsQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38|access-date=November 18, 2015}}</ref> His first album on [[Clive Davis]]'s new label, titled ''Luther Vandross'', was released in 2001, and it produced the hits "Take You Out" (No. 7 R&B / No. 26 Pop), and "I'd Rather" (No. 17 Adult Contemporary / No. 40 R&B / No. 83 Pop). Vandross scored at least one top 10 R&B hit every year from 1981 to 1994.

In 1997, Vandross sang the American national anthem, "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]", during [[Super Bowl XXXI]] at the [[Louisiana Superdome]] in [[New Orleans]].

=== 2000s ===
[[File:Luther Vandross and Diana Ross 2000.jpg|thumb|Performing with [[Diana Ross]] at [[Madison Square Garden]], July 6, 2000]]
He made two public appearances at Diana Ross's [[Return to Love Tour]]: at its opening in Philadelphia at [[First Union Spectrum]] and its final stop at [[Madison Square Garden]] on July 6, 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/vandross-luther-1951-2005/|title= Luther Vandross (1951–2005)|date= September 9, 2018}}</ref> In September 2001, Vandross performed a rendition of [[Michael Jackson]]'s hit song "[[Man in the Mirror]]" at Jackson's 30th Anniversary special, alongside [[Usher (singer)|Usher]] and [[98 Degrees]]. In the spring of 2003, Vandross's last collaboration was [[Doc Powell]]'s song "What's Going On", a cover of [[Marvin Gaye]]'s [[What's Going On (song)|seminal 1971 original]], from Powell's album ''97th and Columbus''.

In 2003, Vandross released the album ''[[Dance with My Father (album)|Dance with My Father]]''. It sold 442,000 copies in the first week and debuted at No. 1 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] album chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hiatt|first1=Brian|title=Ailing Luther Vandross tops the album chart|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2003/06/18/ailing-luther-vandross-tops-album-chart|access-date=November 18, 2015|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=June 18, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Vandross Hits Career Peak as Health Improves|magazine=Billboard|date=June 28, 2003|volume=115|issue=26|page=71|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dA4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA71|access-date=November 18, 2015}}</ref> The title track of the same name, which was dedicated to Vandross's childhood memories of dancing with his father, won Vandross and his co-writer, [[Richard Marx]], the 2004 [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year]].<ref name=JetChristian/> The song also won Vandross his fourth and final award in the [[Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]] category.<ref name=JetChristian /> The album was his only career No. 1 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' album chart. The video for the title track features various celebrities alongside their fathers and other family members.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vandross Video Features Famous Friends, Fans|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/69904/vandross-video-features-famous-friends-fans|access-date=November 19, 2015|magazine=Billboard|date=July 19, 2003}}</ref> The second single released from the album, "[[Think About You (Luther Vandross song)|Think About You]]", was the No. 1 Urban Adult Contemporary Song of 2004 according to ''Radio & Records''.

In 2003, after the televised NCAA Men's Basketball championship, [[College Basketball on CBS|CBS Sports]] gave "[[One Shining Moment]]" a new look. Vandross, who had been to only one basketball game in his life, was the new singer, and the video had none of the special effects, like glowing basketballs and star trails, that videos from previous years had. This song version is in use today.<ref>{{Cite web |title=One Shining Moment by David Barrett |url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1318 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620145205/http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1318 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2018-06-20 |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Songfacts |language=en}}</ref>

=== Posthumous releases ===
[[J Records]] released a song in 2006, "[[Shine (Luther Vandross song)|Shine]]" – an upbeat R&B track that samples [[Chic (band)|Chic]]'s disco song "My Forbidden Lover" – which reached No. 31 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lw0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA85 |magazine=Billboard |page=85 |date=August 12, 2006 |access-date=November 18, 2007}}</ref> The song was originally slated to be released on the soundtrack to the movie, ''[[The Fighting Temptations]]'', but it was shelved. A later remix of the song peaked at No. 10 on the Club Play chart.{{citation needed|date=June 2013}} "Shine" and a track titled "Got You Home" were previously unreleased songs on ''[[The Ultimate Luther Vandross]]'' (2006), a greatest hits album on [[Epic Records]]/J Records/[[Legacy Recordings]] that was released August 22, 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=Finally|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jun-20-et-quick20.7-story.html|access-date=November 19, 2015|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=June 20, 2006}}</ref>

On October 16, 2007, Epic Records/J Records/Legacy Recordings released a 4-disc boxed set titled ''Love, Luther''. It features nearly all of Vandross's R&B and pop hits throughout his career, as well as unreleased live tracks, alternate versions, and outtakes from sessions that Vandross recorded. The set also includes "There's Only You", a version of which had originally appeared on the soundtrack to the 1987 film ''[[Made in Heaven (1987 film)|Made in Heaven]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cohen|first1=Jonathan|title=Rare Cuts Bolster Four-Disc Vandross Box|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1049582/rare-cuts-bolster-four-disc-vandross-box|access-date=November 19, 2015|magazine=Billboard|date=August 31, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Gundersen|first1=Edna|last2=Barnes|first2=Ken|last3=Jones|first3=Steve|last4=Mansfield|first4=Brian|last5=Gardner|first5=Elysa|title=A box set for every musical taste|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-11-22-box-sets-main_N.htm|access-date=November 19, 2015|work=[[USA Today]]|date=November 23, 2007}}</ref> In October 2015, Sony Music released a re-configured edition of its ''[[The Essential Luther Vandross]]'' compilation containing three unreleased songs: "Love It, Love It" (which made its premiere a year prior on the UK compilation ''The Greatest Hits''), a live recording of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" with [[Paul Simon]] and [[Jennifer Holliday]], and a cover of [[Astrud Gilberto]]'s "Look to the Rainbow".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Luther-Vandross/dp/B00T9QDUBM/ref=tmm_acd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=|title=The Essential Luther Vandross|website=Amazon |date=October 16, 2015}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Vandross never married and had no children.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schudel |first1=Matt |title=Singer Luther Vandross Dies at 54 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2005/07/02/singer-luther-vandross-dies-at-54/a5991a87-2064-4a67-af02-6b62f091e7c7/ |access-date=February 29, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 1, 2005}}</ref> His mother outlived all of her four children, and his three elder siblings along with his father all predeceased him due to complications of diabetes and asthma.<ref>{{cite news|title=Luther Vandross dies at age 54|url=http://www.today.com/popculture/luther-vandross-dies-age-54-2D80555816|access-date=November 15, 2015|work=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]]|agency=Associated Press|date=July 2, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ollison |first1=Rashod D. |title=Luther's mother bears pain of great loss |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/08/31/luthers-mother-bears-pain-of-great-loss/ |access-date=May 27, 2025 |work=Baltimore Sun |date=August 31, 2006}}</ref>

=== Sexual orientation ===
In 2006, [[Bruce Vilanch]], a friend and colleague of Vandross, told ''[[Out (magazine)|Out]]'' magazine, "He said to me, 'No one knows I'm in the life.' ... He had very few sexual contacts".<ref name="OutMagazineApril2006">{{cite magazine|last=Weinstein|first=Steve|date=April 2006|title=The Secret Gay Life of Luther Vandross|pages=60–64|magazine=[[Out (magazine)|Out]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MGIEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60|access-date=September 5, 2016}}</ref> According to Vilanch, Vandross experienced his longest romantic relationship with a man while living in Los Angeles during the late 1980s and early 1990s.<ref name="OutMagazineApril2006"/> In December 2017, 12 years after his death, Vandross' friend [[Patti LaBelle]] confirmed that he was gay.<ref>{{cite web |last=Keith Gaynor |first=Gerren |date=December 9, 2017 |title=The real tragedy in Patti LaBelle's outing of Luther Vandross |url=https://thegrio.com/2017/12/09/real-tragedy-patti-labelles-outing-luther-vandross/ |website=[[TheGrio]]}}</ref> LaBelle further stated that "[Vandross] had a lot of lady fans" and "he just didn't want to upset the world".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rita |first1=Cynthia |title=Here is the reason why Luther Vandross kept his sexuality a secret |url=https://news.amomama.com/103922-luther-vandross-sexuality-a-secret-patti.html |publisher=new.amomama.com |date=September 5, 2018 |access-date=March 18, 2021}}</ref>

In December 1985, Vandross filed a [[libel]] suit against a British magazine after it attributed his 85-pound weight loss to AIDS. He weighed {{convert|325|lb}} when he started a diet in May of that year.<ref name="AP">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 13, 1986 |title=Police Say They'll Seek Charge Against Singer in Fatal Crash |url=https://apnews.com/4237232576601135699078fe59231fa6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418215356/https://apnews.com/4237232576601135699078fe59231fa6 |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |work=[[Associated Press News]]}}</ref>

=== 1986 car accident ===
After signing Jimmy Salvemini and having completed his debut album ''Roll It'', Vandross, Salvemini, and Salvemini's brother and manager Larry decided to celebrate. On January 12, 1986, they were riding in Vandross's convertible on [[Laurel Canyon Boulevard]], in the north section of [[Hollywood Hills]] in Los Angeles. Vandross was driving at 50&nbsp;mph (80&nbsp;km/h) in a 35&nbsp;mph (56&nbsp;km/h) zone when he veered across the [[Yellow line (road marking)|double yellow center line]] of the two lane street, turned sideways and collided with the front of a southbound car, then swung around and hit another car head on.<ref name="AP"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Passenger Dies in Crash of Car Driven by R&B Singer Vandross |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-13-me-27701-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=January 20, 2014|date=January 13, 1986}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=People in the News |url=https://apnews.com/a11e459e36b79d7f7c3271251693c404 |work=[[Associated Press News]] |access-date=January 20, 2014|date=January 18, 1986|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805233840/https://apnews.com/a11e459e36b79d7f7c3271251693c404|archive-date=August 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Luther Vandross Injured in Three-Car Collision; One Passenger Killed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NrMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA14|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|volume=69|issue=19|page=14|access-date=January 20, 2014|date=January 27, 1986}}</ref> Vandross and Salvemini were rushed to the [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]].<ref name="Spin"/><ref name="AP"/>

Larry Salvemini, who was in the passenger seat, was killed in the collision. Vandross suffered three broken ribs, a broken hip, several bruises and facial cuts.<ref name="Spin"/><ref name="AP"/> Jimmy Salvemini, who was in the back of the car, had cuts, bruises and contusions. Vandross faced [[vehicular manslaughter]] charges as a result of Larry's death, and his driving license was suspended for a year. There was no evidence that Vandross was under the influence of alcohol or other drugs; he pleaded [[no contest]] to reckless driving. At first, the Salvemini family was supportive of Vandross, but later filed a [[wrongful death]] suit against him. The case was settled out of court with a payment to the Salvemini family of about $630,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Local News in Brief: City Settles in Car Crash |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-10-me-27949-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=February 18, 2014|date=December 10, 1987}}</ref>

== Health problems and death ==
Vandross had [[diabetes]] and [[hypertension]].<ref name=leeds /><ref name=CNN>{{cite news |title=Luther Vandross dead at 54 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/01/vandross.obit/index.html |publisher=CNN |first1=Brooke |last1=Anderson |first2=Todd |last2=Leopold |access-date=May 24, 2014 |date=July 1, 2005}}</ref> On April 16, 2003, he had a severe stroke at his home in New York City<ref name=leeds /> and was in a coma for nearly two months.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Smolowe |first1=Jill |title=Luther Sings Again |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=October 20, 2003 |volume=60 |issue=16 |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20148404,00.html |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117031713/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20148404,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The stroke affected his ability to speak and sing and required him to use a wheelchair.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Silverman|first1=Stephen M.|title=Ailing Vandross Won't Attend Grammys|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,627599,00.html|access-date=November 15, 2015|work=People|date=March 2, 2004|archive-date=November 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117025428/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,627599,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He later regained the ability to walk.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Luther Vandross Continues to Improve After Stroke Two years Ago |journal=Jet |date=April 4, 2005 |volume=107 |issue=14 |page=60 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z74DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60 |access-date=February 29, 2024 |issn=0021-5996}}</ref>

At the [[2004 Grammy Awards]], Vandross appeared in a pre-taped video segment to accept his Song of the Year Award for "Dance With My Father", saying, "When I say good-bye, it's never for long, because ''I believe in the power of love''{{-"}} (Vandross sang the last six words).<ref name=leeds /> His mother, Mary, accepted the award in person on his behalf. His last public appearance was on May 6, 2004, on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]''.<ref name=leeds /> Vandross died on July 1, 2005, at the [[JFK Medical Center (Edison, New Jersey)|JFK Medical Center]] in [[Edison, New Jersey]], at the age of 54 from a heart attack.<ref name=CNN />

Vandross's funeral was held at [[Riverside Church]] in New York City on July 8, 2005.<ref name="Segal2005">{{cite news |last1=Segal |first1=David |title=Soulful Sendoff For a Singer |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2005/07/09/soulful-sendoff-for-a-singer/70eb8490-b4aa-4637-b364-019dbf5fa1d9/ |access-date=February 29, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 8, 2005}}</ref> [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Patti LaBelle]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Dionne Warwick]] and [[Cissy Houston]] were among the speakers and singers at the service.<ref name="Segal2005"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Caryl |title=The power of love |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jul/30/popandrock |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=July 30, 2005}}</ref> Vandross was buried at [[George Washington Memorial Park (Paramus, New Jersey)|George Washington Memorial Park]] in [[Paramus, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Friends, fans mourn Luther Vandross |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/friends-fans-mourn-luther-vandross-wbna8489134 |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |agency=Reuters |date=July 7, 2005}}</ref>

== Artistry ==
Possessing a [[tenor]] vocal range,<ref name="GuardianObit" /><ref name="leeds" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Himes|first=Geoffrey|date=April 28, 1991|title=Luther Vandross's Inimitable 'Power'|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1991/04/28/luther-vandrosss-inimitable-power/54dbbaf8-b256-498d-a837-5cb0fbbc266a/|access-date=June 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Adler|first=Bill|date=February 28, 1983|title=Singer, Producer and Grammy Nominee Luther Vandross Is R & B's Heavyweight|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20084389,00.html|url-status=dead|access-date=May 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323075322/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20084389%2C00.html|archive-date=March 23, 2014}}</ref> Vandross was commonly referred to as "The Velvet Voice", and was sometimes called "The Best Voice of a Generation". He was also regarded as the "[[Pavarotti]] of Pop" by many critics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Luther Vandross|url=http://www.soulmusichq.com/artists/vandross.htm|access-date=February 23, 2014|publisher=Soulmusichq.com}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Vandross has been cited as an inspiration by a number of other artists, including [[112 (band)|112]], [[Boyz II Men]], [[D'Angelo]], [[Hootie & the Blowfish]], [[Jaheim]], [[John Legend]], [[Mint Condition]], [[Ne-Yo]], [[Ruben Studdard]], and [[Usher (musician)|Usher]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150525064152/http://www.mtv.com/artists/luther-vandross/related-artists/?filter=followers Luther Vandross: Followers], MTV. Retrieved October 15, 2017.</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Reid|first1=Shaheem|title=Alicia Keys, Ruben Studdard, Mya Remember Luther Vandross|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1505147/alicia-keys-ruben-studdard-mya-remember-luther-vandross/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426100831/http://www.mtv.com/news/1505147/alicia-keys-ruben-studdard-mya-remember-luther-vandross/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2017|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=October 15, 2017|date=July 1, 2005}}</ref> [[Stokley Williams]], the lead singer of Mint Condition, has said that he has "studied Luther for such a long time because he was the epitome of perfect tone." On his influence, John Legend has said, "All us people making slow jams now, we was inspired by the slow jams Luther Vandross was making."

In 2008, Vandross was ranked No. 54 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine's List of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. Mariah Carey said in several interviews that standing next to Vandross while recording their duet "Endless Love" was intimidating.<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/luther-vandross-20101202| title=100 Greatest Singers: Luther Vandross| magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]| date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> In 2010, [[NPR]] included Vandross in its 50 Greatest Voices in recorded history, saying Vandross represents "the platinum standard for R&B song stylings." The announcement was made on NPR's ''[[All Things Considered]]'' on November 29, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Blair|first1=Elizabeth|title=Luther Vandross: The Velvet Voice|url=https://www.npr.org/2010/11/29/131665902/luther-vandross-the-velvet-voice|publisher=[[NPR]]|access-date=November 15, 2015|date=November 29, 2010}}</ref>

=== Tribute ===
In 1999, [[Whitney Houston]] sang Vandross' "So Amazing" as a tribute to Vandross as he sat in the audience during the [[Soul Train Awards]]. [[Johnny Gill]], [[El DeBarge]], and [[Kenny Lattimore]] provided background vocals. On July 27, 2004, [[GRP Records]] released a smooth jazz various artists tribute album, ''[[Forever, for Always, for Luther]]'', including ten popular songs written by Vandross. The album featured vocal arrangements by Luther and was produced by Rex Rideout and Bud Harner. Rideout had co-authored songs, contributed arrangements and played keyboards on Vandross's final three albums. The tribute album was mixed by Ray Bardani, who recorded and mixed most of Luther's music over the years. It featured an ensemble of smooth jazz performers, many of whom had previously worked with Vandross.<ref>[http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/product.aspx?ob=prd&src=list&pid=10956 Forever, For Always, For Luther], VerveMusicGroup.com</ref>

On September 20, 2005, the album ''[[So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross]]'' was released. The album is a collection of some of his songs performed by various artists, including [[Patti LaBelle]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]], [[Fantasia Barrino|Fantasia]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Donna Summer]], [[Alicia Keys]], [[Elton John]], [[Celine Dion]], [[Wyclef Jean]], [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface]], [[John Legend]], [[Angie Stone]], [[Jamie Foxx]], and [[Teddy Pendergrass]]. Aretha Franklin won a Grammy for her rendition of "A House Is Not a Home", and Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé won a Grammy for their cover of "So Amazing".{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

On November 21, 2006, saxophonist [[Dave Koz]] released a follow-up to the earlier smooth jazz GRP tribute album, this time on his own Rendezvous Entertainment label, an album called ''[[Forever, for Always, for Luther Volume II]]'', also produced by Rex Rideout and Bud Harner. Koz played on all the featured Luther Vandross tracks, which were recorded by various smooth jazz artists.<ref>[http://www.smoothvibes.com/movabletype/archives/000730.html Forever, For Always, For Luther Volume II] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927014501/http://www.smoothvibes.com/movabletype/archives/000730.html |date=September 27, 2007 }}, smoothvibes.com</ref> On April 20, 2021, Google celebrated his 70th birthday with a [[Google Doodle]] of an animated clip that plays Vandross's song "[[Never Too Much (song)|Never Too Much]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://doodles.google/doodle/luther-vandrosss-70th-birthday/ |title=Luther Vandross's 70th Birthday |date=April 20, 2021 }}</ref>

The 2024 documentary ''[[Luther: Never Too Much]]'' chronicles Vandross's life, career, and legacy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Todd |date=January 21, 2024 |title='Luther: Never Too Much' Review: Doc Explores the Thick and Thin of a Soul Legend's Legacy |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/luther-vandross-never-too-much-review-1235880344/ |access-date=April 19, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Main|Luther Vandross discography}}

* ''[[Never Too Much (album)|Never Too Much]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Forever, for Always, for Love]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Busy Body (album)|Busy Body]]'' (1983)<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 29, 1984|title=The Charlotte News, 29 March 1984|pages=41|work=The Charlotte News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67020066/the-charlotte-news-29-march-1984/|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref>
* ''[[The Night I Fell in Love (album)|The Night I Fell in Love]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Give Me the Reason (Luther Vandross album)|Give Me the Reason]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Any Love (album)|Any Love]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Power of Love (Luther Vandross album)|Power of Love]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Never Let Me Go (Luther Vandross album)|Never Let Me Go]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Songs (Luther Vandross album)|Songs]]'' (1994)
* ''[[This Is Christmas (Luther Vandross album)|This Is Christmas]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Your Secret Love]]'' (1996)
* ''[[I Know (Luther Vandross album)|I Know]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Luther Vandross (album)|Luther Vandross]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Dance with My Father (album)|Dance with My Father]]'' (2003)

== Tours ==
{{Main|List of Luther Vandross concert tours}}

* Luther Tour {{small|(1981)}}
* Forever, for Always, for Love Tour {{small|(1982–1983)}}
* Busy Body Tour {{small|(1984)}}
* The Night I Fell in Love Tour {{small|(1985–1986)}}
* Give Me the Reason Tour {{small|(1987)}}
* [[Giving You the Best World Tour|The Heat]] {{small|(with [[Anita Baker]]) (1988)}}
* Any Love World Tour {{small|(1989)}}
* Best of Love Tour {{small|(1990)}}
* The Power of Love Tour {{small|(1991)}}
* Never Let Me Go World Tour {{small|(1993–1995)}}
* Your Secret Love World Tour {{small|(1997)}}
* Luther & Vanessa Live! {{small|(with [[Vanessa Williams]]) (1997)}}
* Take You Out Tour {{small|(2001–2002)}}
* [[BK Got Music Summer Soul Tour]] {{small|(with [[Gerald Levert]], [[Angie Stone]] and [[Michelle Williams (singer)|Michelle Williams]]) (2002)}}

== Awards ==
; [[Grammy Awards]]
{{Awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[24th Annual Grammy Awards|1982]] || Luther Vandross || [[Best New Artist]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| ''Never Too Much'' || [[Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[25th Annual Grammy Awards|1983]] || ''Forever, For Always, For Love'' || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[28th Annual Grammy Awards|1986]] || ''The Night I Fell in Love'' || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[29th Annual Grammy Awards|1987]] || rowspan="2" | "[[Give Me the Reason (song)|Give Me the Reason]]" || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Best R&B Song]] <small>(shared with Nat Adderley Jr.)</small> || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[31st Annual Grammy Awards|1989]] || rowspan="2" | "[[Any Love (Luther Vandross song)|Any Love]]" || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Nominated}}
|-
| Best R&B Song <small>(shared with Marcus Miller)</small> || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[32nd Annual Grammy Awards|1990]] || "[[She Won't Talk to Me]]" || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[33rd Annual Grammy Awards|1991]] || "[[Here and Now (Luther Vandross song)|Here and Now]]" || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[34th Annual Grammy Awards|1992]] || rowspan="2" | "[[Power of Love/Love Power]]" || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Won}}
|-
| Best R&B Song <small>(with Marcus Miller and Teddy Vann)</small> || {{Won}}
|-
| "[[What You See Is What You Sweat|Doctor's Orders]]" <small>(with [[Aretha Franklin]])</small> || [[Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[35th Annual Grammy Awards|1993]] || "[[The Best Things in Life Are Free (Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson song)|The Best Things in Life Are Free]]" <small>(with [[Janet Jackson]])</small> || Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[36th Annual Grammy Awards|1994]] || "[[How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees song)|How Deep Is Your Love]]" || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Nominated}}
|-
| "[[Heaven Knows (Luther Vandross song)|Heaven Knows]]" || Best R&B Song <small>(shared with [[Reed Vertelney]])</small> || {{Nominated}}
|-
| "[[Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)]]" || Best R&B Song <small>(shared with Marcus Miller)</small> || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[37th Annual Grammy Awards|1995]] || "[[Love the One You're With]]" || [[Best Male Pop Vocal Performance]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| "[[Endless Love (song)|Endless Love]]" <small>(with [[Mariah Carey]])</small> || [[Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| "[[Always and Forever (Heatwave song)|Always and Forever]]" || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Nominated}}
|-
| ''Songs'' || [[Best R&B Album]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[39th Annual Grammy Awards|1997]] || rowspan="2" | "[[Your Secret Love (song)|Your Secret Love]]" || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Won}}
|-
| Best R&B Song <small>(shared with Reed Vertelney)</small> || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[40th Annual Grammy Awards|1998]] || "[[One Night with You: The Best of Love, Volume 2|When You Call on Me / Baby That's When I Come Runnin']]" || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[41st Annual Grammy Awards|1999]] || "[[I Know (Luther Vandross song)|I Know]]" || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Nominated}}
|-
| ''I Know'' || [[Best Traditional R&B Performance]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[45th Annual Grammy Awards|2003]] || "[[Any Day Now (Burt Bacharach song)|Any Day Now]]" || Best Traditional R&B Performance || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[46th Annual Grammy Awards|2004]] || rowspan="3" | "[[Dance with My Father (song)|Dance with My Father]]" || [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] <small>(shared with Richard Marx)</small> || {{Won}}
|-
| Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Won}}
|-
| Best R&B Song <small>(shared with Richard Marx)</small> || {{Nominated}}
|-
| "[[The Closer I Get to You]]" <small>(with [[Beyoncé]])</small> || Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals || {{Won}}
|-
| ''Dance with My Father'' || Best R&B Album || {{Won}}
|-
| [[49th Annual Grammy Awards|2007]] || "Got You Home" || Best Male R&B Vocal Performance || {{Nominated}}
|}

;[[Soul Train Music Awards]]
{{Awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1987 Soul Train Music Awards|1987]] || ''Give Me the Reason'' || [[Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album – Male|Best R&B/Soul Album – Male]] || {{Won}}
|-
| "Give Me the Reason" || [[Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Male|Best R&B/Soul Single – Male]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[1988 Soul Train Music Awards|1988]] || "So Amazing" || Best R&B/Soul Single – Male || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[1989 Soul Train Music Awards|1989]] || ''Any Love'' || Best R&B/Soul Album – Male || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[1990 Soul Train Music Awards|1990]] || ''The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love'' || Best R&B/Soul Album – Male || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | "Here and Now" || Best R&B/Soul Single – Male || {{Won}}
|-
| [[Soul Train Music Award for Best Song of the Year|Best Song of the Year]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1992 Soul Train Music Awards|1992]] || ''Power of Love'' || Best R&B/Soul Album – Male || {{Won}}
|-
| "Power of Love/Love Power" || Best R&B/Soul Single – Male || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1994 Soul Train Music Awards|1994]] || ''Never Let Me Go'' || Best R&B/Soul Album – Male || {{Nominated}}
|-
| "Heaven Knows" || Best R&B/Soul Single – Male || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[1995 Soul Train Music Awards|1995]] || ''Songs'' || Best R&B/Soul Album – Male || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[1999 Soul Train Music Awards|1999]] || Luther Vandross || [[Soul Train Music Award for Quincy Jones Award for Career Achievement|Quincy Jones Award for Career Achievement]] || {{Won|Honour}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[2004 Soul Train Music Awards|2004]] || rowspan="2" | ''Dance with My Father'' || [[Soul Train Music Award for Best Album of the Year|Best Album of the Year]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| Best R&B/Soul Album – Male || {{Nominated}}
|-
| "Dance with My Father" || Best R&B/Soul Single – Male || {{Won}}
|-
| [[2005 Soul Train Music Awards|2005]] || "The Closer I Get to You" <small>(with Beyoncé)</small> || [[Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo|Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo]] || {{Nominated}}
|}

;[[American Music Awards]]
{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[American Music Awards of 1986|1986]] || Luther Vandross || [[Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| ''The Night I Fell in Love'' || [[American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Album|Favorite Soul/R&B Album]] || {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[American Music Awards of 1988|1988]] || Luther Vandross || Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist || {{Won}}
|-
| ''Give Me the Reason'' || Favorite Soul/R&B Album || {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[American Music Awards of 1990|1990]] || Luther Vandross || Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist || {{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[American Music Awards of 1992|1992]] || Luther Vandross || Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist || {{Won}}
|-
| ''Power of Love'' || Favorite Soul/R&B Album || {{Won}}
|-
| [[American Music Awards of 1994|1994]] || Luther Vandross || Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist || {{Won}}
|-
| [[American Music Awards of 1996|1996]] || Luther Vandross || Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist || {{Won}}
|-
| [[American Music Awards of 2002|2002]] || Luther Vandross || Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist || {{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[American Music Awards of 2003 (November)|2003]] || Luther Vandross || Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist || {{Won}}
|-
| ''Dance with My Father'' || Favorite Soul/R&B Album || {{Won}}
|}

;Hollywood Walk of Fame
* Inducted: Star (Posthumous; June 3, 2014)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Harvey|first1=Kyle|title=Luther Vandross to receive star on Hollywood's walk of fame|url=http://thegrio.com/2014/05/30/luther-vandross-hollywood-walk-of-fame/|access-date=June 4, 2014|publisher=[[The Grio]]|date=May 30, 2014}}</ref>

;[[National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame]]
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2021 || Luther Vandross || Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame || {{won|Inducted}}
|-
{{End}}

;[[Grammy Hall of Fame]]
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2025 || ''Never Too Much'' || Grammy Hall of Fame || {{won|Inducted}}
|-
{{End}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* [[List of quiet storm songs]]
* [[Luther Burger]]
* [[Craig Seymour]]
* [[Bronx Walk of Fame]]
* ''[[Luther: Never Too Much]]''
{{clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

; General sources
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Seymour |first=Craig |author-link=Craig Seymour |year=2004 |title=Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross |url=https://archive.org/details/luther00crai |url-access=registration |location=New York |publisher=HarperEntertainment |isbn=0-06-059418-7 |access-date=April 30, 2011 }}
* Vandross, Luther (1990). ''The Best of Luther Vandross: The Best of Love''. Hal Leonard Corporation. {{ISBN|0-7935-0291-8}}.
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20210616200520/http://rememberingluthervandross.com/ Remembering Luther Vandross]}}
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5743|label=Luther Vandross}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.soulmusic.com/luthervandross.html |title=Luther Vandross |website=SoulMusic.com |postscript=none |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213185914/http://www.soulmusic.com/luthervandross.html |archive-date=February 13, 2009}}
* {{IMDb name|0005526}}
* {{Find a Grave|11274565}}

{{Luther Vandross}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Luther Vandross
|list =
{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist}}
{{Grammy Award for Song of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Album}}
{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Song}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Album}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Male Artist}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song}}
}}
{{Change (band)}}
{{Chic}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vandross, Luther}}
[[Category:Luther Vandross| ]]
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