Not only did he score a series of multimillionselling albums containing charttopping hit singles and perform soldout tours of the u. Luther ronzoni vandross was born in new york in 1951, the baby of four children. By kalamu ya salaam of this interview was initially published in february 1982 in the black collegian magazine. Luther vandross biography, celebrity facts and awards tv guide. Luther vandross who many consider to be the best male vocalist of his generation is given the womb to the tomb treatment in this finely written book by craig seymour. The book includes numerous interviews with vandross. His father, also named luther, was an upholsterer who died of diabetes when the singer was just 8.
Any motions of love andor romance are followed by the observation that vandross has never revealed any of his beloveds names or gender. It is rarified company, but indelibly classic and everlasting in the annals of american music and a club in which luther vandross membership is permanent. His mother, mary ida van dross, was a nurse and his father, luther van dross sr. Luther vandross has 20 books on goodreads with 73 ratings. His distinctive baritone, precise phrasing, and unabashedly romantic songs made him a leading artist in urban contemporary music.
Luther vandross hid in the closet for the same reason tyler perry, queen latifah and eddie murphy do saturday, december 9, 2017 swiss psychiatrist c. Luther vandross biography facts, childhood, family life. Luther vandross biography, albums, streaming links allmusic. Luther vandrosss most popular book is the soulful divas. Luther vandross biography affair, single, ethnicity. Despite this sadness, his mother, a practical nurse, made sure that music was.
Despite this sadness, his mother, a practical nurse, made sure that music was prevalent in the vandross household, particularly gospel, soul and doowop. Luther vandross hid in the closet for the same reason tyler. Luther vandross biography birthday, trivia american music. New york ap grammy 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. The ultimate library of rock music writing and journalism. His first big break came in 1975, when he performed as a backing singer on david bowies young americans album, and received a cowriter credit after his song funky music was adapted by bowie to become fascination. In the very essence of luther vandross, vocalist greg ballad will pay homage to the legendary singer with a performance that echoes oldschool luther thanks to butterysmooth vocals, incredible sequin attire, sultry background vocalists honee parkks and tanjanae live and a sixpiece band. Luther vandross was born as luther ronzoni vandross jr.
Coupled with that voice was luthers unique ability to write and sing about love and the shared emotions we all feel in that search for and enjoyment of love. Luther vandross, in full luther ronzoni vandross, was born on april 20, 1951, in new york city, new york, usa. When vandross was eight years old, his father died from diabetes. Luther also sang on delores halls hallmark album from 1973.
Jul 01, 2005 luther vandross discography and songs. Additionally, luther won eight american music awards, including favorite. His father was an upholsterer and singer, and his mother was a nurse. April 20, 1951 july 1, 2005 was an american singer, songwriter and record producer. Luther the life and longing of luther vandross chapter one little miracles happen every day hang in there. Aretha franklin to luther vandross following his strokeinduced coma. It chronicles his underdog journey from the projects of new york citys lower east side to the top of the charts, selling more than 20 million albums along the way. He was a student at william howard taft high school. Born luther ronzoni vandross, april 20, 1951, in new york, ny. Nov 23, 2009 luther vandross performing always and forever live at royal albert hall listen to your favorite luther vandross songs. Books by luther vandross author of luther vandross. Thoughts ran through his mind while he moved through the manhattan streets.
The ultimate luther vandross is a careerspanning collection of 18 songs from luthers j records and epic records releases. He was born to parents mary ida vandross and luther vandross, sr. Aliases luther real name luther ronzoni vandross jr. Vandross was born in new york city on april 20, 1951, and grew up in the alfred e. Nov 23, 20 the book chronicles 23 years of owens own musical experience on stage and behind the scenes with international superstar singersongwriter and 8time grammy awardwinner luther vandross. Read all about luther vandross with s exclusive biography including their list of awards, celeb facts and more at. After chic dissolved, alfa anderson continued her singing career with a variety of solo artists, most notably luther vandross. Luther vandross the very essence of luther vandross. Luther vandrosss albums stream online music albums. Aug 16, 2018 here are the aretha franklinrelated excerpts from the audiobook to my biography, luther. July, 2004 the cd forever, for always, for luther is dedicated to vocal legend luther vandross. Luther vandross was an american singersongwriter as well as record producer.
Luther vandross birthday, real name, age, weight, height. Luther vandross was born on the lower east side of new york on april 20, 1951. The life and longing of luther vandross craig seymour, author. His next recording credit was on an album by roberta flack in 1972. He has established himself as a major force in background singing, a field within which most of the artists are women. Known for his signature falsetto vocal range, owens provides an inside look at how luther selected his entourage, handpicked production personnel, created.
Luther vandross real name was luther ronzoni vandross jr he was born on april 20, 1951 at new york city, new york, united states he was american by natinoanliy. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him. Any luther vandross fan knows how guarded he was about his private life. Aretha franklin excerpts from luther vandross biography youtube. The night i fell in lov live radio city music h forever, for always, fo the essential luther va see full discography. It was morning as max szadek raced to his bosss apartment. Luther vandross biography family, school, mother, young.
Former background singer for luther vandross pens book. Born april 20, 1951 died july 1, 2005 country united states ipi 00076343959 member of voices that care 1991. Luther vandross represents a new breed of male singer. In march 1989, luther vandross was the first male artist to sell out 10 consecutive live shows at londons wembley arena. So amazing book chronicles life onstage by former luther. Music profile for luther vandross, born 20 april 1951. Throughout his career, vandross was an indemand background vocalist for several different artists including todd rundgren, judy collins, chaka khan, bette midler, diana ross, david bowie, ben e. From 1982 through 1987, she was a member of vandross touring band and performed at wembley stadium, among many other prestigious venues around the world. See more ideas about luther vandross, luther and soul music. Overall, luther received 31 grammy award nominations, winning eight times. Additionally, he developed an interest in music since his childhood years and he taught himself to play the piano. The soul balladeers strong commitment to the art of music continued on its grammywinning course, even after an acute stroke in 2003 left him severely incapacitated and unable to continue public appearances.
Albums include dangerously in love, cest chic, and never too much. Luther vandross performing always and forever live at royal albert hall listen to your favorite luther vandross songs. With vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names and guitar chord diagrams. The life and longing of luther vandross takes you deep inside the singers private world. Luther vandross, american soul and pop singer, songwriter, and producer whose widespread popularity and reputation as a consummate stylist began in the early 1980s. Luther vandross sang with her on the song whos gonna make it easier for me, which luther vandross wrote. Any motions of love andor romance are followed by the observation that vandross has.
Luther vandross, born as luther ronzoni vandross jr. Luther vandross bio, facts, family famous birthdays. He was the fourth child and second son of mary ida vandross and luther vandross, sr. Author craig seymour wrote a book about vandross called luther. Here are the aretha franklinrelated excerpts from the audiobook to my biography, luther. Born on april 20, 1951, in new york city, new york, vandross was the youngest child of luther vandross, sr.
Luther vandross lyrics 159 song lyrics sorted by album, including dance with my father, id rather, never too much. Luther vandross was the founder of the first ever patti labelle fan club. Luther vandross the complete guide this is a wikipedia book, a collection of wikipedia articles that can be easily saved, imported by an external electronic rendering service, and ordered as a printed book. His first big break came in 1975, when he performed as a backing singer on david bowies young americans album, and received a cowriter credit after his song funky. The life and longing of luther vandross, dances around the question it cant quite ignore. Vandross first found a niche in the music business by singing backup vocals for stars such as david bowie, ringo starr, barbra streisand, and donna summer.
833 1408 1196 993 438 608 1356 1012 1471 1080 40 858 1190 23 730 134 191 1017 786 1028 366 997 1002 679 105 589 98 393 1155 124 907 238 953 168 1345