Luther Vandross

Luther Ronzoni Vandross (April 20, 1951 - July 1, 2005) was an American R&B singer.

A formidable soul artist whose career spanned four decades- 70's (as backing singer to David Bowie (Young Americans) and Chic, 80's vocalist on early Change singles (Searching) before establishing a solo career that perhaps never realised his true potential. In the 90's he was probably more famous for duets with Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey as well as an ongoing battle with his weight, that may have ultimately proved his undoing. Suffered a stroke in 2004, from which he never really recovered, and passed away in 2005. 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.