Reports: Luther Vandross Making Progress
Vandross In Critical, Stable Condition
POSTED: 12:24 p.m. EDT April 24, 2003
NEW YORK -- A spokesman for R&B artist Luther Vandross says the singer is still in critical but stable condition, but is showing signs of recovery at a New York hospital where he's being treated for a stroke.
The news comes after nearly a week of discouraging news regarding the legendary performer, who collapsed at his Manhattan home April 16.
A statement from Vandross' record label, J Records, said Vandross has shown his first signs of rallying since being hospitalized.
The Bronx native, who turned 52 on April 20, is one of soul music's most enduring performers, having started as a backup singer (including for rock singer David Bowie, for whom he provided backing vocals and arrangements for the "Young Americans" album) and session vocalist (for Chaka Khan, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Donna Summer and Ringo Starr, among others) during the 1970s before emerging as a successful writer, producer and performer in the 1980s.
Vandross flourished as a session vocalist, arranger and producer in New York during the 1970s, and his song, "Everybody Rejoice (A Brand New Day)" was included on the 1972 soundrack for the Diana Ross, Michael Jackson movie musical "The Wiz." He has also written and produced hits for Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Cheryl Lynn (with whom he sang the duet "If This World Were Mine), Teddy Pendergrass and others.
After brief stints in two vocal groups, Vandross released a solo album, "So Amazing," with independent label American Music before signing with Epic Records in 1981. Epic released his double-platinum-selling album "Never Too Much" in that year. That album, propelled by its title single, topped the R&B charts and broke into the top 40 pop category. Vandross went on to release seven more albums; "Forever" and "For Always" in 1981, "For Love" (1982); "Busy Body" (1983); "The Night I Fell In Love" (1985); "Give Me the Reason" (1986); and "Any Love" (1988); all of which sold more than 1 million copies each. But Vandross remained primarily an R&B artist until the late 1980s, when his "The Best of Luther Vandross ... The Best Of Love," greatest hits album produced his first top 10 pop single, "Here and Now," a newly recorded track that became a crossover hit. His next album, "Power of Love," released in 1991, produced two more breakthrough singles: "Power of Love/Love Power" and "Don't Want to Be a Fool."
Vandross' success during the late 1990s was more modest, but he scored pop hits with duets with Janet Jackson ("The Best Things in Life Are Free," from the "Mo' Money" soundtrack, 1992); and Mariah Carey ("Endless Love," 1994).
Vandross has released a total of 15 albums, and recently made a comeback with the hit single "Take You Out," from the 1991 album "Luther Vandross." He is slated to release a new album, "Dance With My Father," on J Records in June.
He was slated to perform at the City Stages music festival in Birmingham, Ala., the weekend of May 16 through 18. Organizers have said they are in talks with another artist to replace Vandross at the festival.
Vandross' official Web site has set up an email address: tolutherwithlove@luthervandross.com, for people who want to send well-wishes to the artist.
The Bronx native, who turned 52 on April 20, is one of soul music's most enduring performers, having started as a backup singer (including for rock singer David Bowie, for whom he provided backing vocals and arrangements for the "Young Americans" album) and session vocalist (for Chaka Khan, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Donna Summer and Ringo Starr, among others) during the 1970s before emerging as a successful writer, producer and performer in the 1980s.
Vandross flourished as a session vocalist, arranger and producer in New York during the 1970s, and his song, "Everybody Rejoice (A Brand New Day)" was included on the 1972 soundrack for the Diana Ross, Michael Jackson movie musical "The Wiz." He has also written and produced hits for Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Cheryl Lynn (with whom he sang the duet "If This World Were Mine), Teddy Pendergrass and others.
LUTHER VANDROSS Discography: The Very Best Of Love 2002 Stop To Love 2002 Home For Christmas 2001 Luther Vandross 2001 Smooth Love 2001 Super Hits 2000 Greatest Hits 1999 Love Is On The Way 1998 Always & Forever: The Classics 1998 I Know 1998 One Night With You: The Best...Vol. 2 1997 Best Of Luther Vandross...The Best Of Love 1989 Any Love 1988 Give Me The Reason [Remaster] 1986 Busy Body 1983 Forever, For Always, For Love [Remaster] 1982 Never Too Much [SACD Stereo] 1981 Never Too Much [Gold Disc] 1981 Never Too Much [Remaster] 1981 So Amazing |
Copyright 2003 by NBC6.net. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
