In a heartbreaking statement to the Associated Press in May 2003, Luther's mother, Mary Vandross, said:
I am banking on my son to rebound.
He has to recover, he's all I have left.
He's my last surviving child.
Mary gave birth to Luther Ronzoni on April 20th 1951 in New York City.
He got his middle name from a pasta label.
The future R&B crooner got his start in gospel.
As a teenager, he played Harlem's famous Apollo Theatre with the gospel-soul group, Listen My Brother.
In 1975, he was asked to sing back-up for David Bowie after a chance meeting at a recording studio. Bowie's hit album, "Young Americans" helped launch Vandross' career.
Vandross also sang backup for Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand.
When record companies turned him down, Vandross used his own money to produce his 1981 debut album, "Never Too Much."
That same year, "Endless Love" was a #1 hit single, recorded by soul music legend Diana Ross and pop singer-songwriter Lionel Richie for the Motown label.
Thirteen years later, it was covered by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey for the Epic Records label.
Other hit singles included "Any Love" and "Here and Now."
In 1989, Luther produced Luther Vandross: Live at Wembley. On this album, Vandross allowed his supporting players, among those the brilliant Lisa Fischer, to shine in many of the selections.
One of my favorite Vandross albums was the 1990 The Night I Fell in Love. The song "'Til My Baby Comes Home" goes down as one my all-time favorites, ever, anywhere, by anybody. I'll never forget being in New York City -- pre-iPod days -- hooked up to a Walkman with two earbuds, dancing in the street to that song -- with my good friend, T.C. Berryhill.
Vandross knew how to bring out the best of everybody's soul when you listened to his music or watched him in concert.
His last album Dance With My Father was co-written with Richard Marx. It sold nearly a million copies in June 2003, its first month of release.
Vandross earned four Grammy Awards with this album, including Song of the Year.
American Idol 2004 winner, Ruben Studdard introduced a younger set to Luther Vandross when Studdard performed "Superstar" during the competition. Studdard went on to record the song originally recorded by the Carpenters and later by Vandross on first album called Soulful.
Luther, your music will live on forever, as well as your spirit.
We will miss you.
Thank you for your gift to the world.
May others like Ruben continue to be inspired to play your music, so that younger generations are as privileged as we were first hearing it from the master.
Inspire & Be Inspired.
Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "coming home" living!
~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC
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