Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross (born Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr.) (April 20, 1951 ? July 1, 2005) was an African-American R&B singer. During his career, Vandross sold 25 million albums and won eight Grammy awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times. He won four Grammy awards in 2004 including the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for the track "Dance With My Father", co-written with Richard Marx.

Illness 2003-2005

Vandross had diabetes, a disease that ran in his family, as well as hypertension. His weight fluctuated several times over the years, and Vandross had weighed over 300 pounds (136 kg) at his heaviest. His father, Luther Sr., died of complications from diabetes when Luther Jr. was eight years old. Luther Jr.'s two sisters and a brother also predeceased him. On April 16, 2003, Vandross suffered a stroke in his home in Manhattan. (Although the cause of Vandross' stroke was not specifically attributed to diabetes, diabetics have been identified as being much more susceptible to strokes.) Although he appeared briefly on videotape at the 2004 Grammys to accept his Song of the Year award, he was never seen in public again.

Related Topics:
Diabetes - Hypertension - April 16 - 2003 - Stroke - Manhattan - 2004

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vandross died on July 1, 2005 at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey. He was 54. At this time, the cause of death is not known, although hospital spokesperson Rob Cavanaugh has said that Vandross never recovered from the 2003 stroke. It was reported that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends.

Related Topics:
July 1 - 2005 - UTC - Edison, New Jersey

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a friend of Vandross, described him as "a boy so mellow, so powerful; a boy of rare, rare vintage. We lost Luther very early because of his medical condition, but his legacy will be a powerful legacy."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His funeral was in New York on July 8, 2005. After two days of viewing, Vandross was buried in George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey.

Related Topics:
Funeral - New York - July 8 - 2005 - Buried - Paramus, New Jersey

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~