Vandross passes away?
 

I heard that Luther Vandross died today. Is this true?

Oh no. I hope not.

...and it's true:


R&B Singer Luther Vandross Dies


"The Insider" has confirmed that R&B legend LUTHER VANDROSS passed away Friday at the age of 54. Sources tell "The Insider" that Vandross' death was unexpected, and that a memorial service is planned in New York sometime next week. The singer sold over 25 million records during a long and successful career that began in the 1970s. In 1981, he released his debut album, Never Too Much, and went on to become one of the most popular musicians of the 1980s, cranking out lasting hits like "Here and Now" and "The Best Things in Life Are Free." Vandross hit the top of the charts again in the '90s with a duet with MARIAH CAREY of "Endless Love." His soulful pop crooning went on to inspire artists like USHER and ALICIA KEYS, as well as "American Idol" and record labelmate RUBEN STUDDARD. Sources also report that a tribute album for Vandross is in the works. In April 2003, Vandross suffered a stroke due in part to his struggle with diabetes; he then spent close to a month in a coma, and battled meningitis and pneumonia after the attack.

:(

That's just no age to die at :distress:

Ugh. 54 is too young. So talented. Sad.
In the begining of his career, he sang backup on David Bowie's Young Americans.

Yep...here's the MSNBC report:

Grammy-winning singer Luther Vandross died Friday at age 54. Vandross' deep, lush voice on hits like "Here and Now" and "Any Love" sold more than 25 million albums and provided a romantic backdrop for millions of couples worldwide.

Vandross died at 1:47 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J., said hospital spokesman Rob Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh did not release the cause of death.

Since suffering a stroke in his Manhattan home on April 16, 2003, the R&B crooner stopped making public appearances -- but amazingly managed to continue his recording career. In 2004, he captured four Grammys as a sentimental favorite, including best song for the bittersweet “Dance With My Father.”

After the stroke, he was forced to spend several weeks in a hospital before he transferred to a rehabilitation facility. And despite being nominated for five awards for “Dance With My Father,” and ultimately winning four, his condition left him unable to attend the 2004 Grammies.

Released in 2003, “Dance With My Father” became the fast-selling album of Vandross' career, selling some two million copies.

Oh no. I really thought that when I looked at the thread someone was going to come out and say it was a rumor.

You said it. :distress:

that really is sad. poor luther! :angel:

That's so sad, such talent gone in such a short amount of time :distress:

~Marissa~

Oh my God what a shame.

My dad died when he was 54 (and I was 17). That's just so young and sad. I always liked Luther Vandross's music.

this so sad, while in the pool w/ my son, i was listening to a local radio station who is playing an "all 70's weekend" & the broke in to "lanslide" live from the dance to announce this news :distress: then they played 2 of luther's songs~ very very sad :distress: :distress:

:angel: R.I.P.
Luther :angel: ~

I was sorry to hear he died. Weird - the stations here have been playing the crap out of Dance With My Father for about two weeks. I heard it every day.

- Jake

Very sad. Dance With My Father always gets me tearful

Pip