Here's The Link (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/). I guess the story has not been released just yet. :(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Vandross

:(

OMG, that is very sad news. Especially considering Luther had been recovering so well from his stroke

I'm very sorry to hear that, I liked him. :(

:( RIP Luther.

:(

Jenya thanks for posting this. I just heard the news.

This is just so, so, sad! :( :( :(

REST IN PEACE LUTHER!!!! YOU WILL BE MISSED IN THE MUSIC WORLD!!!!


:crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:

I'm extremely sorry to hear this. Luther was definitely one of my favorites. The weird thing is even before his stroke, I was concerned about him because he was a yo-yo dieter. I always figured putting on and dropping weight as he did couldn't be a good thing to keep putting his body through. A great voice silenced, he'll be missed.


Luther Vandross dies at age 54
Famer R&B crooner faced setback after stroke in 2003

BREAKING NEWS
The Associated Press
Updated: 6:54 p.m. ET July 1, 2005


Grammy award winner Luther Vandross, whose deep, lush voice on hits like "Here and Now" and "Any Love" sold more than 25 million albums while providing the romantic backdrop for millions of couples worldwide, died Friday. He was 54.

Vandross died at 1:47 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J., said hospital spokesman Rob Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh did not release the cause of death.

Since suffering a stroke in his Manhattan home on April 16, 2003, the R&B crooner stopped making public appearances — but amazingly managed to continue his recording career. In 2004, he captured four Grammys as a sentimental favorite, including best song for the bittersweet “Dance With My Father.”

Vandross, who was still in a wheelchair at the time, delivered a videotaped thank you.

"Remember, when I say goodbye it's never for long," said a weak-looking Vandross. "Because" -- he broke into his familiar hit -- "I believe in the power of love."

Vandross, in addition to his stroke, battled weight problems for years while suffering from diabetes and hypertension.

He was arguably the most celebrated R&B balladeer of his generation. He made women swoon with his silky yet forceful tenor, which he often revved up like a motor engine before reaching his beautiful crescendos.

Vandross was a four-time Grammy award winner for Best Male R&B Performance, taking home the trophy in 1990 for the single "Here and Now," in 1991 for his album "Power of Love," in 1996 for the track "Your Secret Love" and a last time for "Dance With My Father."

A genteel style
The album, with its single of the same name, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts while Vandross remained hospitalized from his stroke. It was the first time a Vandross album had topped the charts in its first week of release.

In 2005, he was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for a duet with Beyonce on "The Closer I Get To You."

Vandross' sound was so unusual few tried to copy it; even fewer could.

"I'm proud of that -- it's one of the things that I'm most proud of," he told The Associated Press in a 2001 interview. "I was never compared to anyone in terms of sound."

Vandross' style harkened back to a more genteel era of crooning. While many of his contemporaries and successors belted out tunes that were sexually charged and explicit, Vandross preferred soft pillow talk and songs that spoke to heartfelt emotions.

"I'm more into poetry and metaphor, and I would much rather imply something rather than to blatantly state it," he said. "You blatantly state stuff sometimes when you can't think of a a poetic way to say it."


A career in music seemed predestined for the New York native; both his parents were singers, and his sister, Patricia, was part of a 1950s group called the Crests.

But he happily toiled in the musical background for years before he would have his first hit. He wrote songs for projects as varied as a David Bowie album ("Fascination") and the Broadway musical "The Wiz" ("Everybody Rejoice (Brand New Day)"), sang backup for acts such as Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand, and even became a leading commercial jingle singer.

Vandross credited singer Roberta Flack for prodding him to move into the spotlight after listening to one of his future hits, "Never Too Much."

"She started crying," he recalled. "She said, 'No, you're getting too comfortable (in the background). ... I'm going to introduce you to some people and get your career started."'

Vandross' first big hit came as the lead vocalist for the group Change, with their 1980 hit, "The Glow of Love." That led to a recording contract with Epic Records, and in 1981, he made his solo recording debut with the disc "Never Too Much." The album, which contained his aching rendition of "A House is Not a Home," became an instant classic.

Over the years, Vandross would emerge as the leading romantic singer of his generation, racking up one platinum album after another and charting several R&B hits, such as "Superstar," "Give Me The Reason," and "Love Won't Let Me Wait."

‘America, the world, has heard the voice’
Yet, while Vandross was a household name in the black community, he was frustrated by his failure to become a mainstream pop star. Indeed, it took Vandross until 1990 to score his first Top 10 hit -- the wedding staple "Here & Now."

"I just wanted more success. I didn't want to suddenly start wearing blond wigs to appeal to anyone," he told the AP. "This is the same voice that sang Pepsi-Cola, Coca-Cola, NBC 'proud as a peacock,' ... America, the world, has heard the voice, so there's no reason that that music shouldn't have gone the complete distance, I mean, to number one."

Another frustration for Vandross was his lifelong battle with obesity. Health problems ran in his family, and Vandross struggled for years to control his waistline. When he first became a star, he was a hefty size; a few years later, he was almost skinny. His weight fluctuated so much that rumors swirled that he had more serious health problems than the hypertension and diabetes caused by his large frame.

Vandross' two sisters and a brother died before him. The lifelong bachelor never had any children, but doted on his nieces and nephews. The entertainer said his busy lifestyle made marriage difficult; besides, it wasn't what he wanted.

© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Really a sad day, he could be the best R & B singer ever. Luther's loss is one of the biggest ever to the whole music industry. I will truly miss him. Ever since his stroke in April 2003, he has not made any appearances except for a brief satellite interview from his home on an episode of Oprah about a year ago. The stroke really took everything out of him. Now he will no longer be suffering.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Luther Vandross dead at 54

Friday, July 1, 2005; Posted: 6:51 p.m. EDT (22:51 GMT)


(CNN) -- Legendary R&B artist Luther Vandross died Friday, CNN has confirmed. He was 54 years old.

The popular crooner suffered a debilitating stroke in April 2003. Even so, his album "Dance With My Father," co-written with Richard Marx, sold nearly a million copies in its first month of release that June. And the album won him four Grammy Awards, half his lifetime total, including song of the year.

Vandross' songs and emotionally charged ballads carry a signature soulful, silky sound.

It was after a chance meeting with David Bowie at a recording studio that Vandross was asked to sing backup on Bowie's hit 1975 album, "Young Americans."

Later, Vandross would serve as Bowie's opening act

Vandross also sang backup for Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand, while lending his voice to commercial jingles.

When record companies rejected him, Vandross used his own money to produce his 1981 debut album, "Never Too Much."

It went on to top the R&B charts and sold 2 million copies.

Other hit singles followed, like "Any Love" and "Here and Now."

Vandross struggled with health and image problems, claiming that he lost 100 pounds -- 13 times. He suffered from diabetes and hypertension but refused to slow down until his stroke two years ago.

CNN's Brooke Anderson and Todd Leopold contributed to the report.

Sad.

Rest in peace, Luther.

This is very sad news. I love his music. Strokes are a terrible thing. Claimed Barry White's life too.

R.I.P. Luther. :(

Luther discography

Luther discography 2

Luther discography 3

:crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: peacesign: peacesign:

That's awful. RIP Luther. :(

I just read the sad news on Yahoo. This is so so so sad! :( He was only 54 years old!!! :( May he rest in peace.

http://www.betterliving.co.nz/imageGallery/Big%20Luther%20Vandross.JPG

I remember when I showered with my ex-wife to Here and Now back in 1994, that was the sexiest night of my life.

Oh no.. He's going to be very missed. Rest in peace, Luther. :(

That is so sad. Rest in Peace Luther Vandross

RIP luther :(

Rest In Peace.




I'm not sure who said it or where.... but if you aren't getting any with a bottle of wine and Luther Vandross playing in the background, you might as well give up right away
.

I always love Luther Vandross because it was the best since Nat King Cole. RIP.http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/frown.gif I love all of the songs like "Here and Now", "A House Is Not a Home", "Endless Love", "Dance With My Father", "Never Too Much", "Any Love", "There's Nothing Better Than Love" (with the late Gregory Hines who also died two years ago), "If This World Were Mine" an those other great songs that I remember for a long time. I surely missed his music.

This is sad, my parents plays his CDs all the time. http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/frown.gif

Aw, that's too bad! RIP Luther! :(

Luther co-wrote one of my favorite David Bowie songs too, "Fascination" from 1975's Young Americans, the album had Luther as a backup vocalist and he even appeared in the "video" for Young Americans on the Best Of Bowie DVD

Sad, sad news.

Now which performer during tomorrow's Live 8 do you think is going to dedicate their performance to Vandross first??

R.I.P. Luther Vandross :crying: :(

Wow. That's really sad. He was so young too. I was really hoping he'd recover. I was fortunate enough to see him in concert once. He was fun.

Very sad. And so young, too. :(

Was he the singer of "You are the sun, you are the rain..." if anyone has any idea of the r & b hit I'm talking about, from about 20 years ago?

Was he the singer of "You are the sun, you are the rain..." if anyone has any idea of the r & b hit I'm talking about, from about 20 years ago?

No, I believe you're thinking of Lionel Richie's "You Are."

It's hard to say what Luther's best known song is, but he was just a great vocalist and he did it with class. All the Ushers, the R. Kelly's and all the rest out there right now who think that they're great r&b balladeers could take a few lessons from this guy on how to do it right.

This is sad news. Luther Vandross one of the greats. He will be missed.

No, I believe you're thinking of Lionel Richie's "You Are."

It's hard to say what Luther's best known song is, but he was just a great vocalist and he did it with class. All the Ushers, the R. Kelly's and all the rest out there right now who think that they're great r&b balladeers could take a few lessons from this guy on how to do it right.

Vash your right, it is hard to say what one song is great. I love everything he sang. And your right about the singers you mentioned, there is no one who can replace Luther, with his death and that of Barry White, there is no one who can sing or write the way they did. The R & B ballard as we knew it has died with Luther.

:crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:

That's so sad. :crying: I never really expected this. I've always enjoyed his music. He will be missed greatly. RIP Luther.

RIP

It was so sad when he got sick in 2003, I remember he was suppose to be a guest judge on American Idol 2 in May 2003, but suffered the life ending stroke a month earlier.

It's a shame. I haven't heard much of Luther Vandross, but I really like his song "Never Too Much."

RIP Luther.

I thought this was a hoax at first, I remember a few years ago, before the stroke happened, hearing a rumor that he had passed, and it was fake.

Why is it that death seems to like to plague those who've had a troubled last few years instead of letting them show the world they can beat it. Besides Luther, Christopher Reeve and Rick James both died not too long ago, two other people who've been through living hells and people were all for hoping they would recover, yet death seemed to have a different store for them.

It is quite sad, eerie and ironic that his last hit was "Dance With My Father", which was about how much he wanted to see his late dad just one more time, yet not even 2 years have passed since the song came out and he got his wish sooner than expected.

Luther will be quite missed, he was the real deal as an r&b crooner, people like R. Kelly come off sad and pathetic looking in comparison

That is sad to hear. I know his mother has to be in peices because Luther was her last living child. The rest of her children died from diabetes in their early 50s.

This is really sad news. Last I heard he had been doing well considering. It'll be interesting to hear what it was - maybe another stroke? Same age as my father was when he passed.

At least he's dancing with his father again now. :(

It's hard to say what Luther's best known song is,
I'm just guessing, but I think his biggest commercial hits were Power Of Love and Here And Now.

It is quite sad, eerie and ironic that his last hit was "Dance With My Father", which was about how much he wanted to see his late dad just one more time, yet not even 2 years have passed since the song came out and he got his wish sooner than expected.

Wow. :crying:

I'm just guessing, but I think his biggest commercial hits were Power Of Love and Here And Now.

yes, those were the two I was tempting to say

Now which performer during tomorrow's Live 8 do you think is going to dedicate their performance to Vandross first??

Not sure if it was done earlier or not, but it was nice of Alicia Keys to acknowledge him.

Luther always seemed like such a nice, gentlemanly, man. That and his incredible talent. RIP, Luther. :( :rip:

This is terrible news, I have always been a fan of Luther's music ever since the early 90's. He always had some great slow ballads not like the so called R&B by artists of today..

i agree he will be missed :(

The moment I heard I played my favorite songs of him, Dance with my Father and the one who holds my heart.

I heard about his death yesterday. May he rest in peace.

This bit of bad news still hasn't sunken in. :(
He must have been worse off than what was let on, obviously. My condolences to his family, esp. his mother. I can't imagine the pain of losing offsprings.

Vandross Remembered for Heartfelt Crooning

http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/ap/thumbnails//OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NY156_20050701184828.jpg (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050701/OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NY156_20050701184828.html?date=20050702&docid=D8B3H1BG0)
(AP) Luther Vandross accepts the Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements at the 13th...Full Image (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050701/OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NY156_20050701184828.html?date=20050702&docid=D8B3H1BG0)

NEW YORK (AP) - Luther Vandross' style harkened back to a more genteel era of crooning, with songs that spoke to heartfelt emotions and gentle pillow talk rather than explicit sexuality.

"I'm more into poetry and metaphor, and I would much rather imply something rather than to blatantly state it," the Grammy award winner once said. "You blatantly state stuff sometimes when you can't think of a a poetic way to say it."

Vandross, whose deep, lush voice on hits such as "Here and Now" and "Any Love" provided the romantic backdrop for millions of couples, died Friday. He was 54.

The singer died at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J., said hospital spokesman Rob Cavanaugh. He did not release the cause of death but said in a statement that Vandross "never really recovered" from a stroke two years ago.

Since the stroke in his Manhattan home on April 16, 2003, the R&B crooner stopped making public appearances - but amazingly managed to continue his recording career. In 2004, he captured four Grammys as a sentimental favorite, including best song for the bittersweet "Dance With My Father."

Vandross, who was in a wheelchair at the time, delivered a videotaped thank you.

"Remember, when I say goodbye it's never for long," said a weak-looking Vandross. "Because" - he broke into his familiar hit - "I believe in the power of love."

Vandross also battled weight problems for years while suffering from diabetes and hypertension.

He was arguably the most celebrated R&B balladeer of his generation. He made women swoon with his silky yet forceful tenor, which he often revved up like a motor engine before reaching his beautiful crescendos.

http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/ap/thumbnails//OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_GFX958_20050701204622.jpg (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050701/OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_GFX958_20050701204622.html?date=20050702&docid=D8B3H1BG0)
(AP) Obit looks at the recording career of Luther Vandross. Full Image (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050701/OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_GFX958_20050701204622.html?date=20050702&docid=D8B3H1BG0)

Jeff O'Conner, Vandross' publicist, called his death "a huge loss in the R&B industry." O'Conner said he received condolence calls Friday from music luminaries such as Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones.

Singer Roberta Flack, on tour in Japan, said she was mourning the loss of her friend of more than 20 years.

"He was a musician who couldn't help but give you all he had," she said by telephone. "He was the kind of guy who was born to do what he did musically and let the world know about it. He was not born to keep it smothered in the chest."

Vandross was a four-time Grammy winner in the best male R&B performance category, taking home the trophy in 1990 for the single "Here and Now," in 1991 for his album "Power of Love," in 1996 for the track "Your Secret Love" and a last time for "Dance With My Father."

The album, with its single of the same name, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts while Vandross remained hospitalized from his stroke. It was the first time a Vandross album had topped the charts in its first week of release.

http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/ap/thumbnails//OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NYR109_20050701194254.jpg (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050701/OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NYR109_20050701194254.html?date=20050702&docid=D8B3H1BG0)
(AP) Singer Luther Vandross sings in this file photo of Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2002, during a rehearsal at the...Full Image (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050701/OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NYR109_20050701194254.html?date=20050702&docid=D8B3H1BG0)

In 2005, he was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for a duet with Beyonce on "The Closer I Get To You."

Vandross' sound was so unusual few tried to copy it; even fewer could.

"I'm proud of that - it's one of the things that I'm most proud of," he told The Associated Press in a 2001 interview. "I was never compared to anyone in terms of sound."

A career in music seemed predestined for Vandross; both his parents were singers, and his sister, Patricia, was part of a 1950s group called the Crests.

But the New York native happily toiled in the musical background for years before he would have his first hit. He wrote songs for projects as varied as a David Bowie album ("Fascination") and the Broadway musical "The Wiz" ("Everybody Rejoice (Brand New Day)"), sang backup for acts such as Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand, and even became a leading commercial jingle singer.

http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/ap/thumbnails//OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NY157_20050701185126.jpg (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050701/OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NY157_20050701185126.html?date=20050702&docid=D8B3H1BG0)
(AP) Smokey Robinson, left, poses alongside Luther Vandross, right, after winning his Hall of Fame award...Full Image (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050701/OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NY157_20050701185126.html?date=20050702&docid=D8B3H1BG0)

Vandross credited Flack for prodding him to move into the spotlight after listening to one of his future hits, "Never Too Much."

"She started crying," he recalled. "She said, 'No, you're getting too comfortable (in the background). ... I'm going to introduce you to some people and get your career started.'"

Vandross' first big hit came as the lead vocalist for the group Change, with their 1980 hit, "The Glow of Love." That led to a recording contract with Epic Records, and in 1981, he made his solo recording debut with the disc "Never Too Much." The album, which contained his aching rendition of "A House is Not a Home," became an instant classic.

Over the years, Vandross would emerge as the leading romantic singer of his generation, racking up one platinum album after another and charting several R&B hits, such as "Superstar,""Give Me The Reason" and "Love Won't Let Me Wait."

Yet, while Vandross was a household name in the black community, he was frustrated by his failure to become a mainstream pop star. Indeed, it took Vandross until 1990 to score his first top 10 hit - the wedding staple "Here & Now."

http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/ap/thumbnails//OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NY151_20050701184458.jpg (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050701/OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NY151_20050701184458.html?date=20050702&docid=D8B3H1BG0)
(AP) Luther Vandross accepts his award for favorite soul or R&B male artist at the 29th American Music...Full Image (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050701/OBIT_VANDROSS.sff_NY151_20050701184458.html?date=20050702&docid=D8B3H1BG0)

"I just wanted more success. I didn't want to suddenly start wearing blond wigs to appeal to anyone," he told the AP.

"This is the same voice that sang Pepsi-Cola, Coca-Cola, NBC 'proud as a peacock,' ... America, the world, has heard the voice, so there's no reason that that music shouldn't have gone the complete distance, I mean, to number one."

Another frustration for Vandross was his lifelong battle with obesity. Health problems ran in his family, and Vandross struggled for years to control his waistline. When he first became a star, he was a hefty size; a few years later, he was almost skinny. His weight fluctuated so much that rumors swirled that he had more serious health problems than the hypertension and diabetes caused by his large frame.

Vandross' two sisters and a brother died before him. The lifelong bachelor never had any children, but doted on his nieces and nephews. The entertainer said his busy lifestyle made marriage difficult; besides, it wasn't what he wanted. ---

I found something off of Musicradio 77 website. According to the survey, "Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross was the #4 song on WABC from October 13th, 1981. That was the only time the song being played on WABC just 7 months before the station flipped to talk in May of 1982.

I disagree about the "he wasn't a mainstream star" thing. Dance With My Father went to #1 on the album charts and he had quite a few others that went top 10. He never had the success of a MJ, Prince or Lionel Richie but he definately held his own on the pop charts.

Luther Vandross not mainstream?! He may not have been an international superstar, but both he and his name are instantly recognizable.

I disagree about the "he wasn't a mainstream star" thing. Dance With My Father went to #1 on the album charts and he had quite a few others that went top 10. He never had the success of a MJ, Prince or Lionel Richie but he definately held his own on the pop charts.


Buffy I agree with you. In my opinion Luther was a quiet superstar, the man played Wembly Stadium in London, so I would say that he was an international star. He was great live, I bought the Wembly concert DVD and the man was talented.

I still cannot believe he is gone. :( :( :( :(

This is a very sad day for the R&B world. They have lost a great singer and Luther would be always remember. I loved all his music and I have a Cd and parents like him too. :crying: :(

Buffy I agree with you. In my opinion Luther was a quiet superstar, the man played Wembly Stadium in London, so I would say that he was an international star. He was great live, I bought the Wembly concert DVD and the man was talented.

I still cannot believe he is gone.

I've got both that Wembley dvd and the one recorded at Royal Albert Hall. As great as he is on record, his live performances were something else, another level. Everyone should check out the very last album he recorded, the Live at Radio City Music Hall cd, recorded on Valentine's Day '03, just two months before the stroke. You can hear how much fun he's having on stage.

I am soooo totally gutted and upset

Luther Vandross: 1951 - 2005

Luther Ronzoni Vandross, the silky-voiced R&B crooner who spun romance into hits like "Here and Now" and "Any Love," died on Friday, July 1st, 2005 at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, NJ. He was 54.

With a smooth yet soulful delivery, the highly admired singer/songwriter/producer has sold in excess of 30 million records worldwide, winning eight Grammy Awards, numerous Soul Train, BET, NAACP Image and American Music Awards.

He ranked as one of the most successful R& B singers of the 1980's and broke through to even wider commercial success in 1989 with the Best of Luther Vandross, the Best of Love, which included the new song "Here and Now," his first Grammy winning hit which became a signature wedding song.

Born in New York City in 1951, Luther was the youngest of four children. In 1972, a song Vandross wrote, "Everybody Rejoice," was included in the Broadway musical "The Wiz."But his biggest early break came when he landed a job as a backup singer for David Bowie and created vocal arrangements for the hit album Young Americans.

Luther soon became a sought-after backup vocalist and arranger, working for artists from Bette Midler to Barbra Streisand, and he helped pay the bills as one of the most popular jingle singers of the time. His 1981 debut, Never Too Much, reached the top of the R&B charts and sold more than one million copies. Through the 1980's, he recorded a string of platinum albums, including Forever, For Always, For Love, Busy Body and The Night I Fell in Love. His last album, Dance With My Father received 4 Grammy Awards (including Song of the Year for the title song "Dance With My Father") and has generated worldwide sales exceeding 3 million copies.

Luther was also a prolific writer and producer for such musical icons as Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick thereby fulfilling a lifelong dream. "When history books are written, I'd like it to be said that I am one of the premiere singers of our time," said Vandross in an interview with BET.

He leaves to cherish and celebrate his life, legacy, and wonderful memories a loving and devoted mother, Mary Ida Vandross, nine nieces as well as eight great nephews, three great nieces and a circle of close friends and colleagues, his musical family and millions of loyal, supportive fans.

Funeral services were held at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel, located at 1076 Madison Avenue (at 81st Street) New York, New York on Wednesday and Thursday, July 6 and 7 with public viewings from 4:00pm - 9:00pm.

The Memorial Service will be held Friday, July 8 at Riverside Church, located at 490 Riverside Drive, New York, New York scheduled for 12:00pm.

Thanks Vash for posting this info.

He did make a lasting mark on the music industry. There will never be another like Luther.

:(

Vandross' Funeral Soulful and Powerful


http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/ap/thumbnails//VANDROSS_FUNERAL.sff_NYR122_20050708175421.jpg (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050708/VANDROSS_FUNERAL.sff_NYR122_20050708175421.html?date=20050708&docid=D8B7FKPO0)
(AP) Singers Alicia Keys, left, and Patti Labelle join other R&B stars in a singing tribute of Luther...Full Image (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20050708/VANDROSS_FUNERAL.sff_NYR122_20050708175421.html?date=20050708&docid=D8B7FKPO0)

NEW YORK (AP) - The funeral service for eight-time Grammy winner Luther Vandross hit just the right notes Friday: soulful, joyful and powerful, an echo of the late singer's unforgettable voice.

Family, friends and fans filled The Riverside Church for a celebration of Vandross' too-short life, a memorial service that morphed into a revival meeting before ending with an all-star rendition of his hit single "Power of Love/Love Power."

Vandross' wide appeal was evident in the first few rows of mourners, where current hitmakers Usher and Alicia Keys shared space with music legends Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle.

"There are no sad faces here today," said longtime friend LaBelle, resplendent in a bright yellow dress with a diamond necklace and earrings. "It's not a mournful service. I'm celebrating because Luther would want us too."

Vandross, 54, died July 1 at a New Jersey hospital, two years after he suffered a debilitating stroke. He sold more than 25 million records in his long career, with hits like "Stop For Love,""Here and Now" and "Dance With My Father."

As Vandross' gold coffin sat at the foot of the altar, LaBelle read a poem written by the R&B icon's mother, Mary Ida, who was seated in the front row. Vandross' other family members, nine nieces and their 11 children, filled in the seats around the family matriarch to remember the man known to them as "Uncle Ronnie."

The altar bore just a single, simple floral arrangement, with white lilies rising from a collection of white and yellow roses.

Mourners lined up for two city blocks in a driving rain before the church opened. Once inside, they were brought to their feet and moved to cheers repeatedly as Vandross favorites Wonder, Franklin and Cissy Houston sang in tribute.

Houston performed the gospel standard "Deep River," while Wonder left the crowd breathless with his version of the gospel song "I Won't Complain."

But it was Franklin, brushing aside a slight sore throat, who sent choir and clergy dancing on the altar with her version of "Amazing Grace." Franklin began to ad-lib at song's end, addressing the Vandross family and congregation as the music swelled and the crowd clapped along.

"There's healing in the name of Jesus!" she sang before returning to her seat, where Franklin raised her hands and waved along with the rest of the church as the organ music pulsated.

Before the funeral service, a hearse carrying the native New Yorker's remains took Vandross on one final tour of Harlem, pausing outside the Apollo Theater before heading west to the church. Before achieving stardom, Vandross had twice finished second at the Harlem theater's famed amateur night.

Singer Gladys Knight, another Vandross friend and admirer, sent along a faxed message that referred to the singer's last hit, "Dance with My Father." Luther Vandross Sr. died when his son was still a child. "We should be happy for Luther," her message said. "He made a difference in this world, and now he has the extraordinary chance to dance with his father again."

I will miss Luther very much. His music was so good & his voice was awesome. There will never be another Luther. I was reading Jet magazine yesterday that has Luther on the cover & they did a tribute to him. They showed pictures of his funeral & he had 2,000 guests. God damn. 2,000 guests? That's a lot of people. Freddie Jackson, Ashford & Simpson, Usher, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Stevie Wonder were there. Luther seemed like a cool dude & a nice person to talk to. I wish i could've met him. I bet ya'll didn't know Twista's Slow Jams song with Kanye West & Jamie Foxx sampled Luther's A House Is Not A Home song. I heard Lil Bow Wow's new song with Omarion & they sampled Luther's If Only For One Night song. I hope they paid Luther for his samples. When Luther did remakes, he made those songs better. For example, him & Cheryl Lynn did a remake of Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell's If This World Were Mine song. I think Luther & Cheryl's version was better. Luther also did a remake of Stevie Wonder's Creepin song & Luther's version was better. Who sang A House Is Not A Home before Luther did? I heard somebody sang that before Luther.

Did ya'll know Luther was never married? He didn't have any kids either. He said on BET when they did a special about him that he wouldn't give people the satisfaction of wondering whether he's gay or not because he never let the public know who he was dating or if he ever dated a woman. I don't blame him for not wanting people to know about his personal life. So what if he wasn't married & he didn't have any kids. People get on my damn nerves especially black people because the first thing blacks wanna assume is that if a man has never had a woman that he's gay or he's weird. Maybe Luther didn't wanna be bothered with a woman. I think he liked women because he sang love songs but as busy as his career was, he said he didn't have time for relationships. Luther also said he never wanted to get married. I'm surprised he said that but then again i'm really not surprised because relationships are tough.

will they ever release Luther's pre-Never Too Much titles on CD? I read on David Bowie's official website when they had a tribute to Luther, that the song "Fascination" which Luther co-wrote for David in 1975 on the "Young Americans" album was in turn recorded, with a different title, by Luther on his 1976 album "Luther". I didn't even know he had anything before 1981. I wonder if these titles will stay vaulted or finally given a CD release.

will they ever release Luther's pre-Never Too Much titles on CD? I read on David Bowie's official website when they had a tribute to Luther, that the song "Fascination" which Luther co-wrote for David in 1975 on the "Young Americans" album was in turn recorded, with a different title, by Luther on his 1976 album "Luther". I didn't even know he had anything before 1981. I wonder if these titles will stay vaulted or finally given a CD release.

That was when Luther Vandross started his career where he went to Atlantic Records to release 2 Christmas songs that were early in his career "May Christmas Bring You Happiness" and "At Christmas Time". Both of these holiday songs are success in his early days. He was also with the group Change where they had their early hits like "Searchin'" and "The Glow of Love". Both of these are ealier hits before he started his solo career on his first album "Never Too Much" in 1981.

Musicradio77 i'm really starting to think you're ********. Your response doesn't answer BuffySlayer79's question at all LOL. BuffySlayer79 to answer your question, i don't know if those songs will get released at all. I didn't know he had any music out before he went solo also. I read a autobiography book about Luther last weekend & it's a very good book. Luther started a group with a black man & 2 black women in the mid 70's called Luther. The group didn't have any success so Luther sang background for r&b artists such as Quincy Jones, Chic, Sister Sledge, Roberta Flack. Roberta is the one who encouraged him to go solo because he wanted to remain a background singer. Luther also used to sing commercial jingles & he made a lot of money doing that. He had disagreements with Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, En Vogue that i didn't know about. His favorite color was pink hahahahahahahahahaha. He painted his bedroom pink when he got his first apartment. The book showed a picture of him in his pink bedroom LOL. Luther had a serious eating habit that we all know about. The book talked about his eating a lot & then he would go on a diet sometimes & eat healthy but then he would pick up weight again because he would get depressed. When he got depressed, he always ate a lot. He didn't talk about his dating experiences that much because he was very private about that.

Musicradio77 i'm really starting to think you're ********. Your response doesn't answer BuffySlayer79's question at all LOL. BuffySlayer79 to answer your question, i don't know if those songs will get released at all. I didn't know he had any music out before he went solo also. I read a autobiography book about Luther last weekend & it's a very good book. Luther started a group with a black man & 2 black women in the mid 70's called Luther. The group didn't have any success so Luther sang background for r&b artists such as Quincy Jones, Chic, Sister Sledge, Roberta Flack. Roberta is the one who encouraged him to go solo because he wanted to remain a background singer. Luther also used to sing commercial jingles & he made a lot of money doing that. He had disagreements with Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, En Vogue that i didn't know about. His favorite color was pink hahahahahahahahahaha. He painted his bedroom pink when he got his first apartment. The book showed a picture of him in his pink bedroom LOL. Luther had a serious eating habit that we all know about. The book talked about his eating a lot & then he would go on a diet sometimes & eat healthy but then he would pick up weight again because he would get depressed. When he got depressed, he always ate a lot. He didn't talk about his dating experiences that much because he was very private about that.

I wouldn't mind checking that book out. Just the article I read in People about him was fascinating. He seemed like quite a character. Was always dressed to the "nines" even when just kicking around the house. Had to do with the poverty he came from and he loved the feel of fine fabric.

This is O/T but I'm quite upset about Fats Dominio still missing in New Orleans. We don't need to lose another great this year. :(

Somebody posted on here that Fats Domino was found.

I am still saddened and shocked that Luther Vandross died. It's happened quite a while ago, and I still feel sad. Isn't it time for me to get over it? Is anyone still hung up on Luther Vandross's death?:( When he died, I internally screamed, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not Luther! He was so young!":( :eek: I couldn't believe that he'd died. I told my sister, "Isn't it just sad that he died?" :( She said that she liked him, too.:( Whenever I see a song by him for sale(Soul ballads collections, 80's love albums, etc), I feel like crying.........:(

It is sad. Thank goodness his music will live on for generations to come!!!