Luther Vandross
Also known as Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr., Luther Ronzoni Vandross, Luther Vandross Jr.
American R&B singer (1951–2005)
Person · Open Library
- Works
- 8
Top works
- Dance with My Father Sheet Music
- Best of Luther Vandross (Songbook)
- Luther Vandross - Greatest Hits (Songbook)
- Any love
- The Best Of Luther Vandross
via Open Library + Wikidata
Film & TV
Acting · New York City, New York, USA
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…
Known for
- Luther: Never Too Much — Self (archive footage)2024
- Mariah Carey at the BBC — Self2022
- …Sings Musicals — Self (archive footage)2012
- O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar — Self (archive footage)2009
- Marcus Miller - Master Of All Trades — Self2006
- Luther Vandross: Always And Forever - An Evening of Songs — Self - Vocals2005
- Funky Dance Grooves — Self
Article
Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. (/ˈvændroʊs/ VAN-drohss; April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) was an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and record producer. Over his career, he achieved eleven consecutive RIAA-certified platinum albums and sold over 25 million records worldwide. Vandross was recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the 200 greatest singers of all time (2023) and was named one of the greatest R&B artists by Billboard. NPR also included him among its 50 Great Voices. He won eight Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year in 2004 for "Dance with My Father". He has been inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Vandross began his music career in the late 1960s performing at the Apollo Theater in New York City as part of a local musical ensemble. The group later appeared on the television show Sesame Street in the early 1970s. He eventually established himself as a sought-after backing vocalist, contributing to albums by Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Todd Rundgren, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Judy Collins, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Ben E. King, Stevie Wonder, Laura Branigan, Donna Summer, and Roxy Music. In 1980, he served as the lead vocalist for the post-disco group Change on their Gold-certified album The Glow of Love, released on Warner/RFC Records.
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1951 births2005 deaths20th-century American LGBTQ people20th-century American male singers20th-century American singers21st-century American LGBTQ peopleAfrican-American croonersAfrican-American LGBTQ peopleAfrican-American male singersAfrican-American record producersAfrican-American songwritersAmerican ballad musicians