Vandross, Luther Ronzoni

▪ 2006

      American singer, songwriter, and record producer (b. April 20, 1951, New York, N.Y.—d. July 1, 2005, Edison, N.J.), dominated the rhythm and blues charts in the 1980s with his smooth, romantic vocals and sold more than 25 million albums. Though he composed the song “Everybody Rejoice” for the hit musical The Wiz in 1972, his big break came in 1975 when he sang backup and did vocal arrangements for David Bowie's Young Americans album. Vandross was soon much in demand as an arranger and backup singer for Dionne Warwick, Bette Midler, Roberta Flack, Barbra Streisand, and Bowie. After several starts and stops, his solo career took off in 1981 with the release of Never Too Much. Other blockbuster hits included “Here and Now” (1989), “Power of Love/Love Power” (1991), and “Endless Love” (1994; duet with Mariah Carey). He won eight Grammy Awards in his career; the last came in 2004 for the song “Dance with My Father.”

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