Vandross’ grades dropped as his musician’s ear and intuition sharpened. They go on deeper dramatic trips, take more chances. They don’t trust their automatic-pilot chops. “It was the women who drew me to the stereo,” Vandross said in a 1990 interview. As a high school student, Vandross obsessed over female singers: Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, the Shirelles and particularly the high-concept Motown ensembles, including the Supremes. It soon became the only thing he was interested in studying. His mother fed his interest and encouraged his musical education. His sister Pat was a member of the doo-wop group the Crests, who scored a 1958 hit with “16 Candles,” and Vandross exhibited a natural affinity for song. The household was steeped in music - gospel, doo-wop, soul. His mother was a practical nurse and his father, Luther Vandross, an upholsterer who died of diabetes when the younger Luther was 8. Luther Ronzoni Vandross was born in New York in 1951, the youngest of four children. Marvin had it, Sam Cooke had it,” Ritz said. He had this kind of cry in his voice which is penetrating. “I think Luther is like Frank Sinatra, in that he’s got this 18-karat gold depression in his voice,” said author and music historian David Ritz. With his wide vocal range and production acumen, Vandross quickly became a pacesetter, paving the way for a new generation of male singers, including Babyface and Freddie Jackson, laying bare their emotions in a sensitive manner. He repeated a word until he breathed new meaning into it. He concentrated on coaxing the emotion out of a song, stretching a line or fragment of verse. Influenced by a cross-section of African American music styles from gospel to classic R&B, and bridging the gap between classic soul and post-disco R&B, the singer, songwriter and producer broadened the definition of contemporary soul singing. With a cluster of hits - including “Never Too Much,” “Here and Now,” “Power of Love/Love Power,” “Don’t Want to Be a Fool” and “Endless Love,” a duet with Mariah Carey, Vandross was considered one of the leading romantic singers of his generation. Visit: stood out in a crowded field of garden-variety pop balladeers, overproduced records and pat sentiments, distinguishing himself in the 1980s as a singer of eloquence and restraint. This Luther tribute remembers the moments, the music and the man and the motivation to ensure that no one has to struggle with diabetes alone or in silence. Keep ‘your house a home’ and learn how to prevent a diabetes health-related complication from occurring. Throughout the podcast we will be playing selected Luther Vandross songs that he recorded during the 1990’s courtesy of SONY Music.ĭivabetic, the organization inspired by Luther’s diabetes journey revisits the singer’s career in the decade of hair scrunchies, boy bands, grunge and rave parties. Divabetic” Szadek, who worked with Vandross for more than 14 years, hosts this tribute podcast featuring Luther’s former vocalists Paulette McWilliams, Pat Lacy, Tawatha Agee, Cindy Mizelle and Kevin Owens, band member Bryon Miller, Vandross family member, Seveda Williams, friends Darren Margo and David Jones, the Luther Vandross historian, Leon Petrossian and Luther super fan, Jane Goodman from Great Britain. His distinctive brand of satin smooth vocal magic moved international audiences and continues to touch people to this day. Luther Vandross was a musical master whose style has influenced an entire generation of today’s vocalists. Divabetic remembers the 10 year anniversary of losing a legend, the late Luther Vandross (Ap– July 1, 2005) with this special podcast, Tribute to Luther Vandross, celebrating his career during the 1990’s.
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