Rhythm and Blues Singer. He became successful for soulful, romantic ballads and his many collaborations with such singing stars as Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson. Beginning his career singing background vocals for Richard Marx and Chaka Khan (Rufus with Chaka Khan), he was discovered by rock musician David Bowie who overheard him singing his song "Young Americans," and had him make a recording of the song. His debut solo album "Never Too Much," released in 1981, became a huge success. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he was considered the dominant vocalist on the R&B charts, with hits that included "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye" and "Endless Love." Luther Vandross won four Grammy Awards in the best male R&B performance category, in 1990 for the single "Here and Now," in 1991 for his album "Power of Love," in 1996 for "Your Secret Love." His other hit albums include "Superstar," "Give Me The Reason" and "Love Won't Let Me Wait." On April 16, 2003, he suffered a stroke and lapsed into a coma. He came out of the coma in June and, after a brief recovery, he released his last album "Dance With my Father." The album went on to win four Grammys in 2004. In 2005, he was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for a duet with singer Beyoncé (Destiny's Child) with the song "The Closer I Get To You." The effects of the stroke eventually led to his death at age 54.
Rhythm and Blues Singer. He became successful for soulful, romantic ballads and his many collaborations with such singing stars as Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson. Beginning his career singing background vocals for Richard Marx and Chaka Khan (Rufus with Chaka Khan), he was discovered by rock musician David Bowie who overheard him singing his song "Young Americans," and had him make a recording of the song. His debut solo album "Never Too Much," released in 1981, became a huge success. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he was considered the dominant vocalist on the R&B charts, with hits that included "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye" and "Endless Love." Luther Vandross won four Grammy Awards in the best male R&B performance category, in 1990 for the single "Here and Now," in 1991 for his album "Power of Love," in 1996 for "Your Secret Love." His other hit albums include "Superstar," "Give Me The Reason" and "Love Won't Let Me Wait." On April 16, 2003, he suffered a stroke and lapsed into a coma. He came out of the coma in June and, after a brief recovery, he released his last album "Dance With my Father." The album went on to win four Grammys in 2004. In 2005, he was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for a duet with singer Beyoncé (Destiny's Child) with the song "The Closer I Get To You." The effects of the stroke eventually led to his death at age 54.
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LUTHER R. VANDROSS
1951 — 2005
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