The album captured four Grammys, including best song for the bittersweet title track that recalls childhood memories of his father, who died when Vandross was 8. Vandross stopped making public appearances after suffering a stroke in 2003 but made a dramatic return to the charts that year with the album Dance with My Father. 1 on the R&B charts and was the first of 14 studio albums that went either platinum or multiplatinum. His debut studio album Never Too Much, which provides the soundtrack for Tuesday's doodle, reached No. His career picked up in 1975, when he co-wrote David Bowie's Fascination and Everybody Rejoice for the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz.Īs an in-demand backup singer, he performed with a wide range of artists, including Bowie, Diana Ross, Cat Stevens and Roberta Flack, before launching a solo career in 1981. (Patricia was a member of the Crests, a doo-wop group known for the 1958 hit 16 Candles.)Īfter graduation, Vandross began performing his own songs at Amateur Night at Harlem's Apollo Theater and joined a theater workshop, Listen My Brother, which appeared in several episodes of Sesame Street's first season. His mother encouraged Vandross' musical interest and education, and he frequently accompanied his sister Patricia to see Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin perform. He taught himself to play the piano at the age of 3 and founded a Patti LaBelle fan club while in high school. showed a keen interest in music while growing up in New York's Lower Eastside and the Bronx. Together with other 11 people, the five became part of a musical theatre, Listen, My Brother, organized by the Apollo Theatre.Born April 20, 1951, Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. While studying at the institution, Luther created a vocal group called Shades of Jade, with friends Carlos Alomar, Robin Clark, Anthony Hinton, Diane Sumler, and Fonzi Thornton. They moved to the Bronx, whereby he attended William Howards Taft High School. died in 1959 when Vandross was only eight years old, leaving the famous musician under his mother's care. Although these lessons played a significant role in moulding his music skills in his formative years, he did most of the work by teaching himself. Luther Vandross' interest in music started at a young age as he started playing the piano at the age of three and took lessons at only five years old. She only appeared in their early singles. Luther Vandross father's sister, Patricia Van Dross, was a member of the Crests in the mid-'50s. His father was an upholsterer, and his mother a nurse, and they encouraged their children to pursue music from a tender age. Smith housing projects in lower Manhattan.Īllen Covert bio: net worth, wife, movies, life story, what happened
His parents are Mary Ida Vandross and Luther Vandross, Sr. The Dance With My Father singer was born on April 20, 1951, as Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr.
Died: J(aged 54) at Edison, New Jersey, U.S.Place of birth: Manhattan, New York City, U.S.Vanilla Ice's family: children, wife, baby mama, parents Luther Vandross profile summary A peek into his life from his tender years would likely provide comprehensive insight. Of course, like everyone else, you probably have numerous unanswered questions. His soothing voice earned him millions of fans worldwide, but very few knew anything about his life.ĭid Luther have a wife and children? Where is Luther Vandross from? How much was he worth considering his immense success in his career.
Luther Vandross was the king of the soul age, where boys’ bands and girl groups dominated the music industry with fantastic songs that quickly became fan's staples. How much do you know about his life aside from music? Singer Luther Vandross performs at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois in 1987. His name alone brings instant recognition, a position that not many in the world of contemporary music have achieved. There are regular, soft-spoken R&B artists, and there’s Luther Vandross! He is an iconic and unforgettable singer, songwriter, vocalist and record producer that dominated the airwaves for 25 years.