Luther Vandross
Designated the "heartbeat" of R&B during the 1980s and 1990s, Luther Vandross led a productive singing and song writing life. At age 30, he finally recorded his first solo album with the No. 1 R&B and "Top 20" pop chart maker, "Never Too Much". He continued steadily with such albums as "Forever, for Always, for Love" in 1982 and "Give Me the Reasons" (1986), but it wasn't until 1989 that he had his first "Top 10" single with "Here and Now" (No. 6), which finally placed him securely on the love song pedestal. Such other No. 1 R&B singles would include "Stop to Love", "There's Nothing Better than Love" and "Any Love". The 1990s seemed, career-wise, stronger than ever again with a Top 40 hit duetting with Mariah Carey in 1994 on "My Endless Love" and the release of his No. 1 R&B signature version of "Always and Forever" (1994). On camera film and TV acting appearances include a cameo in Robert Townsend's motion picture The Meteor Man (1993) and episodes of "Beverly HIlls 90210 (as himself) and "Touched by an Angel." A documentary, Luther Vandross: Always and Forever (1994), is also available. Throughout his career, Luther continued to write and produce for other artists including Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Teddy Pendergrass, Cheryl Lynn and Aretha Franklin. Following his massive April 2003 stroke, he made a phantom return to the spotlight with the release of his 2003 CD "Dance With My Father", which was recorded prior to his illness. At the awards show, the absent Luther was rewarded with four Grammys, including song of the year. The success also gave him his first No. 1 album on the pop chart and four NAACP Image Awards. The beloved 54-year-old musician died at JFK Medical Centre in Edison, New Jersey, of his lingering complications and was survived by his Evangelist mother, Mary Ida Vandross, who was instrumental in promoting her son's last work to Grammy glory following his severe debilitation.
Known For
Credits
- 2025 · Luther: Never Too Much as Self (archive footage)
- 2022 · Mariah Carey at the BBC as Self
- 2012 · …Sings Musicals as Self (archive footage)
- 2009 · O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar as
- 2006 · Marcus Miller - Master Of All Trades as Self
- 2005 · Luther Vandross: Always And Forever - An Evening Of Songs as Himself
- 2004 · The 7th Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest as Self
- 2004 · Funky Dance Grooves as Self
- 2002 · The Making and Meaning of 'We Are Family' as Self
- 2001 · Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration as Self
- 1999 · Intimate Portrait: Natalie Cole as Self
- 1998 · Hollywood Squares as Self - Panelist
- 1998 · Hollywood Squares as
- 1998 · Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night as Self
- 1998 · Motown 40: The Music is Forever as Self
- 1997 · An Audience with the Spice Girls as Self
- 1996 · The Rosie O'Donnell Show as Self - Guest
- 1995 · The History of Rock 'n' Roll as Self
- 1994 · Touched by an Angel as Reggie Hunter
- 1994 · New York Undercover as
- 1994 · Fertile La Toyah Video Magazine #2: The Kinky Issue! as
- 1993 · The Meteor Man as Jamison
- 1992 · Out All Night as Self
- 1991 · Voices That Care as Self - Choir Member
- 1990 · Beverly Hills, 90210 as
- 1990 · Night of 100 Stars III as Self
- 1989 · Geld oder Liebe as Self
- 1988 · Luther Vandross: Live at Wembley as
- 1985 · 227 as
- 1978 · An Audience with... as Self
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Musical Guest
- 1962 · The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as Self