Luther Vandross:

From Backup Singer to the Velvet Voice

Known for his soulful and sweet vocals, Luther Vandross made quite the impact on the music industry. In fact, he’s one of the greatest singers of all time, alongside Frank Sinatra and Diana Ross. When we discovered that he started as a backup singer, we decided to learn more. So, today, we’re diving deeper into Luther Vandross’ life. Let’s jump in!

Luther Vandross’ Early Life

Luther Vandross’ Early Life

Born in New York City in April 1951, Luther Vandross was the youngest of four children. Both parents were singers and encouraged a love of music in their children. At age three, he began teaching himself piano. Vandross’ father passed away when he was eight, and by age nine, the family moved to the Bronx. His sisters would take him to the Apollo Theater to see artists like Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin perform.

Backup Singer for Popular Artists

Backup Singer for Popular Artists

Vandross broke into the music industry in 1973 when Delores Hall recorded two of his compositions on her album Hall-Mark. The following year, his friend Carlos Alomar invited him to a recording session for David Bowie.

From Change to Solo Career

From Change to Solo Career

In 1980, Vandross was still recording as a background vocalist and working as an arranger for other artists. He also began to find success as the lead singer of Change. The group recorded the Top 40 R&B hit “Searching.” As a result of his increased visibility, he began circulating a demo tape in hopes of starting a solo career.

Luther Vandross Musical Collaborations

Luther Vandross Musical Collaborations

Vandross continued demonstrating his abilities as a producer, songwriter, and arranger. This allowed him to work with the artists who were his idols in his younger years. He produced two of Aretha Franklin’s LPs. Luther also worked with Dionne Warwick on How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye, which became Warwick’s first R&B Top Ten hit in years.

The Legacy of Luther Vandross

The Legacy of Luther Vandross

In April 2003, Vandross experienced a severe stroke that resulted in a two-month coma and left him unable to walk. His last public appearance was May 6, 2004, on The Oprah Winfrey Show. And in July 2005, he suffered a fatal heart attack.

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