Luther Vandross

Bio

Luther Vandross was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer whose smooth tenor and sophisticated ballads made him one of the defining voices of R&B and soul from the late 1970s onward. Born in Manhattan in 1951, he began his career as a session vocalist and jingle singer before stepping into the spotlight with his 1981 debut album Never Too Much. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Vandross released a string of multi-platinum albums and singles that blended classic soul, quiet storm, and adult contemporary styles. He earned eight Grammy Awards and numerous other honors for hits such as "Here and Now," "Power of Love/Love Power," and his cover of "A House Is Not a Home." Vandross continued to record and perform until health complications curtailed his activities; he died in 2005 at age 54, leaving a catalog that remains a touchstone for romantic soul music.