Luther Vandross was an American soul and R&B singer, songwriter and record producer.
He was born on April 20, 1951, in New York City and died on July 1, 2005, in Edison, New Jersey, at the age of 54.
Vandross achieved significant success throughout his career, with eleven consecutive RIAA-certified platinum albums and over 40 million records sold worldwide.
He was known for his powerful and soothing voice, which earned him millions of fans around the world.
Vandross’s unique ability to write and sing about love and shared emotions was a defining aspect of his music.
He was also involved in charitable causes, such as the United Negro College Fund and the NY Chapter of the American Diabetes Association.
Luther Vandross’s cause of death
Vandross died on July 1, 2005, at the JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey, at the age of 54 due to a heart attack.
He had long battled diabetes and hypertension, both of which may have been brought on by family genetics as well as lifestyle and nutrition.
In April 2003, Vandross had a severe stroke at his home in New York City, which left him in a coma for nearly two months and affected his ability to speak and sing, as well as requiring him to use a wheelchair.
Although he later regained the ability to walk, he never fully recovered from the stroke.
Luther Vandross career
Throughout his career, Vandross achieved eleven consecutive RIAA-certified platinum albums and sold over 40 million records worldwide.
Before his solo breakthrough, Vandross was part of a singing quintet named Luther in the late 1970s.
Vandross’s unique ability to write and sing about love and shared emotions was a defining aspect of his music.
He was also involved in charitable causes, such as the United Negro College Fund and the NY Chapter of the American Diabetes Association.
Between 1981 to 1996, Vandross released 11 consecutive platinum/double platinum albums on CBS/Sony’s Epic Records label; and at the time of his passing in 2005, 13 of Luther’s 14 studio albums had gone platinum or multi-platinum.
Vandross’s success was not confined to the United States, with record sales of over 40 million worldwide since 1981, including four Top 10 UK albums.
In March 1989, he was the first male artist to sell out 10 consecutive live shows at London’s Wembley Arena.
Throughout his distinguished career, Vandross was active in charitable causes with the United Negro College Fund and the NY Chapter of the American Diabetes Association, in addition to performing at numerous charity concerts, most notably Michael Jackson’s Heal The World concerts in the 1990s.
He also contributed the song The Christmas Song to the A&M Records album A Very Special Christmas in 1987, which raised funds for the Special Olympics.
Luther Vandross’ influence in the music industry
Vandross left a lasting legacy in the music industry.
He was considered an R&B icon and his musical compositions influenced Broadway, pop, and late-night radio formatting.
Vandross’s love songs, characterized by smooth, jazz-influenced romantic ballads, were integral to the American soundscape of the late twentieth century.
He sold well over 40 million albums worldwide and had 13 Platinum/multi-Platinum albums.
Vandross won eight Grammy Awards and received countless other honors, awards and professional and charitable recognitions.
He was praised for his ability to take a more traditional approach to musicality while also infusing collaborations with more contemporary artists on credited features.
Vandross worked with R&B guest appearances from Beyoncé and Next, as well as several hip-hop features, including Foxy Brown, Busta Rhymes and Queen Latifah.
Additionally, his legacy extends beyond music.
He inspired the diabetes community, as he suffered from the disease but continued to pursue his passion for performing and entertaining.
Vandross’s worldwide influence endures, and his legacy is celebrated through tribute podcasts, memories and music.
His impact is still felt in music, even 20 years after achieving a number one album with Dance With My Father.
Fans continue to enjoy his hits, and his music is reintroduced to new audiences.
