Who was Luther Vandross? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr.

Died At Age: 54

Family:

father: Luther Vandross, Sr.

mother: Mary Ida Vandross

siblings: Ann D. Sanders, Charles Anthony Vandross, Patricia van Dross, Patricia Vandross

Composers Black Singers

Height: 6'3" (190 cm), 6'3" Males

Died on: July 1, 2005

place of death: Edison

City: New York City

U.S. State: New Yorkers, African-American From New Yorkers

More Facts

education: Western Michigan University

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Childhood & Early Life

Luther Vandross was born as Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. on April 20, 1951 in New York City, New York, USA. His mother, Mary Ida Van Dross, was a nurse and his father, Luther Van Dross Sr., was a singer and upholsterer.

At the age of three, Vandross started playing the piano by himself. His parents encouraged his musical talents.

When he was eight years old, his father died of diabetes after which his family moved to the Bronx. There, Vandross’ sisters Ann and Patricia started taking him to theatres.

Vandross attended William Howard Taft High School and graduated from there in 1969. Later he attended the Western Michigan University and dropped out of it after a year to pursue his music career.

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Career

Luther Vandross started performing during his high school years. He sang many times at the Apollo Theater. During that time, he was also involved in the singles ‘Listen My Brother’ and ‘Only Love Can Make a Better World.’

In 1972, he added backing vocals to ‘Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway,’ the debut album by singers Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. He also worked for Delores Hall on her album ‘Hall-Mark’ and sang with her on the track "Who's Gonna Make It Easier for Me". He contributed to another single titled "In This Lonely Hour" as well.

In the late 1970s, the American singer was a member of the singing quintet Luther along with Diane Sumler, Anthony Hinton, Christine Wiltshire and Theresa V. Reed. The group released the singles "Funky Music”, "The Second Time Around" and "It's Good for the Soul" which were relatively successful. However, their albums ‘Luther’ and ‘This Close to You’ didn't sell enough.

From 1977 to early 1980, Vandross sang and wrote commercial jingles for companies including Mountain Dew, Juicy Fruit, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken and NBC. In 1978, he sang for Greg Diamond's band, Bionic Boogie. The same year, he appeared on Quincy Jones's album ‘Sounds...and Stuff Like That’.

In the late 1970s, he sang with a band named Soirée and served as the lead singer for the song titled "You Are the Sunshine of My Life". Vandross also made his appearance in the group Charme's album, ‘Let It In.’ After this, he finally made his career breakthrough as a featured vocalist with the pop-dance act Change and gave many hits such as "The Glow of Love" and "Searching”.

Vandross then signed a recording contract with Epic Records. Soon after this, he released his debut album titled ‘Never Too Much’ that consisted of hit singles "Never Too Much" and “A House Is Not a Home".

In 1983, the American artist got the chance to work with Dionne Warwick, writing, producing and singing the song “How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye”. Vandross also produced "It's Hard for Me to Say" for Diana Ross and even toured with her later.

He sang in Stevie Wonder's "Part-Time Lover" in 1985. Soon after this, he lent his voice to the cartoon character Zack for the animated series ‘Zack of All Trades’. Vandross then released his compilation album titled ‘The Best of Luther Vandross… The Best of Love’.

In 1990, he wrote, sang, and produced the background vocals for Whitney Houston’s song "Who Do You Love". The same year, he made a guest appearance in the sitcom ‘227’. Then in 1994, the singer teamed with Mariah Carey and sang the cover version of the song "Endless Love"

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He signed with J Records and released the album titled ‘Luther Vandross’ in 2001 which produced the hit songs "Take You Out" and "I'd Rather". In 2002, Vandross performed in his final event during his last tour that also featured Gerald Levert and Angie Stone.

In 2003, he collaborated on the song "What's Going On” for Doc Powell's album titled ‘97th and Columbus.’ The same year, Vandross released his final album ‘Dance with My Father’ that included the hits “Dance with My Father” and "Think About You".

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Major Works

The single ‘Dance with My Father’ was the song that immortalized Luther Vandross. The lyrics were based on his childhood experiences and fondly recall memories of Vandross’ father who used to dance with his wife and young children. The song was a super-hit and also earned him two Grammy Awards.

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Awards & Achievements

Luther Vandross won eight Grammy Awards in his music career, out of which four Grammys were for the songs "Dance with My Father" and "The Closer I Get to You" under different categories in 2004.

He won four Soul Train Music Awards under the category 'Best R&B/Soul Album – Male' for the songs "Give Me the Reason", "Here and Now", “Power of Love” and "Dance with My Father".

Vandross was also honored with American Music Awards nine times in his career.

On June 3, 2014, he was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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Personal Life

According to his friend Bruce Vilanch, Luther Vandross was in a romantic relationship with a man during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Vandross, who never married, was later confirmed guy by his friend Patti LaBelle in 2017.

The American singer suffered from diabetes as well as hypertension. On July 1, 2005, he breathed his last at the age of 54.

After this death, a major portion of his estate was given as a gift to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

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Trivia

Author Craig Seymour wrote a book to honor Vandross. The book, titled ‘Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross,’ includes his interviews.

2004	Song of the Year	Winner
2004	Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group	Winner
2004	Best Male R&B Vocal Performance	Winner
2004	Best R&B Album	Winner
1997	Best Male R&B Vocal Performance	Winner
1992	Best Rhythm & Blues Song	Winner
1992	Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male	Winner
1991	Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male	Winner
1991	Best Male R&B Vocal Performance	Winner

Luther Vandross Biography