Mike Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Celebrating Luther Vandross's 70th Birthday Google is honoring soul singer Luther Vandross, on what would be his 70th birthday, with a video Google Doodle. Life of Luther Vandross Luther Ronzoni Vandross, Jr. was born on April 20, 1951, in Manhattan, as the fourth child in his family. Inspired by musical greats like Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, and Patti LaBelle, Vandross found himself learning how to play piano by ear at a young age, along with a talent for singing. The first big break for Luther Vandross was with a theater group, Listen My Brother, which made several appearances on the first season of Sesame Street. Throughout the 1970s, Vandross contributed to numerous songs for greats like Ben E. King, David Bowie, and Ringo Starr, while also achieving acclaim for writing the song “Everybody Rejoice,” part of the Broadway musical The Wiz. In 1981, Luther Vandross began a successful solo career, releasing the album Never Too Much, the title song for which forms the basis of today’s Google Doodle. Between 1981 and 2004, Vandross released a total of 13 studio albums, won 8 Grammy awards, and earned the nickname “Velvet Voice” for the richness of his tenor vocals. One of Vandross’s most well-known songs is “Dance with My Father,” dedicated to Luther Vandross, Sr., who died from diabetes complications when young Luther was just eight years old. The song was the lead track on an album of the same name, released in 2003, just weeks after Vandross suffered a stroke that left him comatose for two months. Luther’s health briefly recovered, in time for him to be recognized at the 2004 Grammy Awards for Song of the Year, though it was his mother, Mary Vandross, who accepted the award on his behalf. Luther Vandross, Jr. died of a heart attack on July 1, 2005, at the age of 54. Luther’s legacy lives on, with his music frequently being sampled, covered, or remixed to this day. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tomangoes Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Top singer RIP Was lucky enough to see him live and he did not let the fans down. Ed Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mike Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 more background, sketches drafts etc on it all here https://www.google.com/doodles/luther-vandrosss-70th-birthday Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulman58 Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 43 minutes ago, Tomangoes said: Top singer RIP Was lucky enough to see him live and he did not let the fans down. Ed Couldn't agree more saw him twice both times great shows. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Get involved with Soul Source
Add your comments now
Join Soul Source
A free & easy soul music affair!
Join Soul Source now!Log in to Soul Source
Jump right back in!
Log in now!