Remembering Luther

Everyone has their favorite musician or artist.  Perhaps because it reminds them of their younger days growing up, or their courtship with their special someone.  Maybe they just like the style of music.  That's how I feel about Luther Vandross. 

I love the music of Luther Vandross but I think that the moment I fell in love with his voice was in 1981 when he sang his version of Dionne Warwik's hit "A House Is Not A Home" at the NAACP Awards Show.  Oh my goodness!  I got goosebumps all over.  From then on, I bought every album (at the time we had albums) and later CD's.

I loved the fact that his music was fun!  He had such a distinctive voice.  There was no mistaking him when you heard it.   I could tell he loved what he did.  He came across as such a real person, not at all with that celebrity ego.  I was lucky enough to go to 2 of his concerts.  I will always remember those good times.  Every moment was filled with great music!  There isn't a song that he sang that I didn't like.

I watched as his weight yo-yo'd up and down.  I loved him at his heaviest and at his thinnest.  Through all the ups and downs of his weight, his voice remained strong.   I heard him on a talk show speak of  how his dad had died from diabetes and how he wanted to be healthier.   That was around 1986.  He was thin during that interview and over time, he gained and lost alot of weight many more times. 

In 2003, I heard the news that Luther Vandross had suffered a stroke.  I was sad but not surprised.  I didn't know however, how serious that stroke would turn out to be.  He was in a coma nearly 3 months and developed pneumonia and had to undergo a tracheotomy.  He came out of the coma in June and over the next couple years, there was really no major changes.   At the 2004 Grammy Awards he was given the Song of the Year award and  made a videotaped speech.  In it he said "Whenever I say goodbye it's never for long because I believe in the Power of Love."  I remember watching and thinking how sad that such a talented man with so much life ahead of him was stopped in his tracks.  How hard it must be to not be able to do what you love so much.  I hoped that he would one day be back in the studio recording new songs.

On July 1, 2005 however, I remember waking up to a typical Friday morning.  It was summer and everyone in the house was home on vacation.  I was cleaning and turned on the TV.  The news said Luther Vandross had died.  What?  It can't be?  Must be a mistake!  I ran to the computer and logged onto the internet to confirm.  It was true.  My favorite artist, Luther Ronzoni Vandross had died from complications from his stroke.  He was only 54 years old.  My heart was sad as if I had lost a member of my own family.  I cried feeling silly but not really caring.  My family knew how much I loved his music.  I went grocery shopping that day and wanted to go alone so I could play Luther in the car as loud as I wanted.  I took my time so I could just listen to his music.   Today, I will play Luther Vandross' music all day and remember the joy and love this man gave to me and all the rest of his fans.

Thank you Luther and Rest in Peace!