Accessibility links
Luther Vandross Luther Vandross artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Luther Vandross

Friday

The loneliness and longing of Luther Vandross; plus Grammy winner Samara Joy
Raymond Boyd/Getty Images; Paul Natkin/Getty Images; Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Jazz At Lincoln Center; Noam Galai/Getty Images for Jazz At Lincoln Center

It's Been a Minute

The loneliness and longing of Luther Vandross; plus Grammy winner Samara Joy

From "A House Is Not A Home" to "The Glow of Love," Luther Vandross' music has become a staple for weddings, family reunions and graduations. While Luther changed the sound of R&B, brought ballads to epic new heights and influenced countless musicians, he somehow doesn't have the same icon status as some of his collaborators and contemporaries like Whitney Houston or Aretha Franklin.

The loneliness and longing of Luther Vandross; plus Grammy winner Samara Joy

Listen · 37:18
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1153973028/1199266792" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

Luther Vandross: The Velvet Voice

Luther Vandross' legendary voice has been called "flawless" and "as smooth as silk." Scott Harrison/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Scott Harrison/Getty Images

50 Great Voices

Luther Vandross: The Velvet Voice

The late soul singer's legendary voice has been called "flawless" and "as smooth as silk." It's been known to create an atmosphere of pure romance: For many years, Vandross was the go-to singer for when you wanted to get in the mood.

Luther Vandross: The Velvet Voice

Listen · 8:20
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/131665902/131675353" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

News

R&B Giant Luther Vandross Dies at 54

Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Luther Vandross has died at the age of 54. A hospital in New Jersey did not release the cause of death, but officials did say Vandross had never fully recovered from the stroke he suffered two years ago.

R&B Giant Luther Vandross Dies at 54

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4727263/4727266" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Thursday

Tuesday

Music Interviews

'Forever, For Always, For Luther' Vandross

The CD Forever, For Always, For Luther is dedicated to vocal legend Luther Vandross. A number of smooth jazz artists take turns paying tribute to Vandross, who is recovering from a diabetes-related stroke he suffered in 2003. Singer Lalah Hathaway and Rex Rideout, one of the project's producers, join NPR's Tavis Smiley to talk about the CD project.

'Forever, For Always, For Luther' Vandross

Audio will be available later today.

Monday

Review

Music Reviews

'Dance With My Father' from Luther Vandross

R&B singer Luther Vandross is continuing to recover from the stroke he suffered earlier this year. His latest CD, Dance With My Father, debuted at number one earlier this summer, and remains in the top 10. Writer Sara Bardeen has a review of the CD.

'Dance With My Father' from Luther Vandross

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1400223/1400224" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">