Name	Cheryl Lynn
Background	solo_singer
Born	March 11, 1957Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Birth name	Lynda Cheryl Smith
Genre	Disco, R&B;, soul,
Occupation	singer
Years active	1976–present
Label	Columbia Records (1978-1985; 1996)Manhattan Records (1987)Virgin Records (1989)Avex Trax Records (1995)
Associated acts	Richard Marx, Luther Vandross, Teddy Riley
Website	MySpace account }}

Lynda Cheryl Smith (born March 11, 1957), known better by her professional name Cheryl Lynn, is a female African-American disco, R&B; and soul singer known best for her 1978 disco song, "Got to Be Real".

Biography

Early career

Lynn's singing career began when she was a young girl with her church choir. However, her professional singing career started during 1976 when she obtained a job as a backing singer for the national touring company of the musical drama ''The Wiz''. Eventually she would obtain the role of Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, during the six month national tour.

Prior to her appearance on The Wiz, Cheryl taped an episode of the ''Gong Show'' during the early part of 1976. She won the competition while singing Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful". Lynn later told entertainer Dick Clark during her performance on the television program ''American Bandstand'' that after the episode was broadcast, during the autumn of 1976, record industry executives were calling to contract her.

Success and later career

After her performance on ''The Gong Show'', Ahmed Ertegun of Atlantic Records company couldn't come to an initial meeting with Lynn, with the result that she was contracted with Columbia Records company. Lynn released her first and best-known song, "Got to Be Real," which was composed by keyboardist David Paich (of the band Toto), David Foster and Lynn. The song scored #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 record chart and #1 on the Rhythm & Blues chart. The success of the single album prompted a full scale debut album. Named ''Cheryl Lynn'', it was produced by Paich. The album sold more than a million copies and scored #5 on ''Billboard'' magazines R&B; albums chart and #23 on ''Billboard'''s top 200 album charts. The next single album, "Star Love"', also became a success.

During this time, members of the rock music group Toto were producing their debut album. During the production Lynn was asked to provided the female backing vocal for the single album, "Georgy Porgy,". The single scored #48 on ''Billboard'''s popular music charts. Although Toto would to chart more than a dozen popular music successes throughout the years, it was Lynn's vocal for "Georgy Porgy" that aided the group in charting their only R&B; (#18) and Dance (#80) on the ''Billboard'' charts.

During 1981, Ray Parker, Jr. produced "Shake It Up Tonight", a major dance & R&B; success from Lynn's third album, ''In the Night''. The next year, Luther Vandross was asked to produced Lynn's fourth album, ''Instant Love''. The 2nd single from the album, "If This World Were Mine" - a 1982 duet with Luther Vandross that cover-versioned a Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell song, has become a classic. For her fifth album, ''Preppie'', Lynn produced most of the tracks with the exception of the single "Encore" (#1 R&B; ) - which was written and produced by the Minneapolis funk music duo, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. It became Lynn's second #1 single . During 1989, Lynn released the top 10 single , "Every Time I Try To Say Goodbye", from her eighth album, ''Whatever It Takes''.

The 1990s

Lynn began the 1990s without a record contract. She did mostly session work for Richard Marx albums, ''Rush Street'' and ''Paid Vacation'' as well as Luther Vandross' ''Your Secret Love'' album. But during 1995, after a six year hiatus from recording her own material, Lynn teamed with producer/songwriter Teddy Riley, (formerly of the New Jack Swing music group Guy), to record her Ninth album, ''Good Time''. It was released in Japan, the United Kingdom and later in the United States as an imported CD and featured the nightclub favorite single album "Guarantee For My Heart". During 1996, Sony Records/Legacy released ''Got to Be Real - The Best Of Cheryl Lynn'', which included Lynn's most successful recordings from her years with Columbia Records. This was followed soon by another compilation CD named, ''The Real Thing'', which featured other recordings from Lynn's first six albums. Two years later she performed on HBO's ''Sinbad's Summer Soul Jam 4'' (1998), hosted by comedian Sinbad (actor).

2000 to present

During the new millennium Lynn toured Japan and did an occasional gig in the U.S., performing at charity events in her hometown of Los Angeles. During 2000 she worked with hip-hop musician J Supreme on his single "Your Love (Encore)", which was an update of her #1 1984 song "Encore." She performed on ABC's ''The Disco Ball...A 30-Year Celebration'', which was broadcast during January 2003. During 2004 she recorded the song "Sweet Kind of Life," which was also written and produced by Jam & Lewis, for the animated film and soundtrack to ''Shark Tale''.

On September 19, 2005, Lynn's song "Got to Be Real" was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. On May 23, 2006 Collectables Record Label re-released her 1981 album ''In The Night'' and 1982's ''Instant Love'', in twin CD package form. It was the first time ever that either album was released as a CD in the U.S.

Lynn is considered an influence on some of today's R&B; female singers, including Mary J. Blige, who, along with Will Smith, covered Lynn's song ("Got to Be Real"), also for the soundtrack of the animated movie ''Shark Tale''. Japanese popular music singer Kumi Koda cover-versioned the song for her July 2010 single album "Gossip Candy" as well.

On 11 April 2010, "Got to Be Real" charted for the first time in the UK, peaking at number 70.

Discography

Albums

1978: ''Cheryl Lynn'' (Columbia) - US Pop #23, US R&B; #5

1979: ''In Love'' (Columbia) - US Pop #167, US R&B; #47

1981: ''In The Night'' (Columbia) - US Pop #104, US R&B; #14

1982: ''Instant Love'' (Columbia) - US Pop #133, US R&B; #7

1983: ''Preppie'' (Columbia) - US Pop #161, US R&B; #8

1985: ''It's Gonna Be Right'' (Columbia) - US Pop #202, US R&B; #56

1987: ''Start Over'' (Manhattan) - US R&B; #55

1989: ''Whatever It Takes'' (Virgin) - US R&B; #42

1995: ''Good Time'' (Avex Trax)

Compilation

1996: ''Got to Be Real: The Best of Cheryl Lynn'' (Columbia)

1996: ''The Real Thing'' (Sony)

1996: ''Got to Be (Remix)'' (Avex Trax)

Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions				Album
		! width="40"	! width="40"	! width="40"	! width="40"
		12	1		70
		62	16	—
		—	41	12	—
		—	—	12	—
		70	5	5	—
	—	79	—	—
		105	16	—	—
	101	4	—	—
		—	77	—	—
	—	85	—	—
align="left"	69	1	6	68
		—	49	—	—
		—	34	—	—
	—	25	—	97
	—	85	—	—
		—	34	—	—
	—	11	28	—
		—	7	—	—
	—	26	—	—

As Featured Performer

Year	Single	Chart positions				Album
		! width="40"	! width="40"	! width="40"
		48	18

References

External links

Cheryl Lynn at Soul Legends

Cheryl Lynn at MySpace

Cheryl Lynn at the Internet Movie Database

Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:African American female singers Category:American expatriates in Japan Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:American pop singers Category:American soul singers Category:American disco musicians Category:Boogie musicians Category:People from Los Angeles, California

de:Cheryl Lynn es:Cheryl Lynn ja:シェリル・リン

name	B-Real
background	solo_singer
birth name	Louis Freese
alias	B-Real
born	June 02, 1970
origin	South Gate, California
instrument	Rapping
genre	Hip hop
years active	1988–present.
label	ColumbiaRuffhouseDuckdown RecordsGoliath
associated acts	Cypress Hill, Psycho Realm, Kush }}

Louis Freese, (born June 2, 1970) better known by his stage name b-real, is an American rapper of Cuban and Mexican heritage, and a film and TV actor. He is best known for being the lead rapper in hip hop group Cypress Hill.

Early life and career

Born to a Mexican father and a Cuban mother, B-Real moved with his sister and mother out of his father's home to South Gate before ending up in South Central Los Angeles Before dropping out of Bell High School, he befriended future Cypress Hill members Sen Dog and Mellow Man Ace (who forwent staying with the group to go solo). Sen Dog, who was affiliated with a Bloods gang set known as "Neighborhood Family", later introduced B-Real into the set. B-Real's career as a drug dealer and gangbanger ended after he was shot in the lung with a 9mm pistol in 1988.

After being introduced to DJ Muggs by Julio G the KDAY Mixmaster, B-Real and Sen gained interest in Muggs' concept of an album based on experiences from Cypress Ave in South Gate. The group was signed with Ruffhouse/Columbia records in 1991, and made their influential debut that year. B-Real would use his life-threatening experiences as material for the group's self-titled debut album, and subsequent releases.

Cypress Hill's trademark sound - an eccentric combination of B-Real's exaggeratedly high-pitched nasal vocals and DJ Muggs' distinctive beats - led to the trio becoming the first Latin rap group to have Platinum and Multi-Platinum albums. They remain the best selling Latin rap group to date. Speaking in March 2010 to noted UK urban writer Pete Lewis - Deputy Editor of the award-winning Blues & Soul - B-Real stated: "Fortunately I guess the fact we were able to achieve what we achieved, being Latino but without really exploiting that side of it, showed like a whole generation behind us how you could have that success without being labelled as just one THING. Because back in the day, when you were labelled 'a Latino rapper', the record companies would only try to market you to that Latin fan-base which didn't really EXIST yet!... So yeah, it feels good to see people recognising us as some of the pioneers that opened the doors for a lotta these other Latino rappers to come through."

Aside from Cypress Hill, B-Real has been involved in several other musical projects. In 1996 he contributed to the soundtrack for the movie ''Space Jam''. In 2002, he teamed up with Mellow Man Ace and Son Doobie for the short-lived Serial Rhyme Killas, which released one 12" single in 2002. The group recorded a full-length debut album, entitled ''Deluxe Rapture'', but it was never released. B-Real formed a rap metal group, Kush, with Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter and Fear Factory members Christian Olde Wolbers and Raymond Herrera. According to B-Real, Kush is more aggressive than other bands in the genre. He was also previously a member of the group The Psycho Realm, and in 2007 announced that he would collaborate with Sick Jacken once again on a new album. He recently revealed in an interview that he plans on recording a "V.S." album of Cypress member DJ Muggs. In 1998, he appeared as a newborn baby singer for ''The Rugrats Movie'', reported as a minor role.

Production Work

In addition to his career as an MC, B-Real has worked as a music producer for six years, with clients ranging from Proof of D12 to the WWE. He intentionally kept his production for Cypress Hill down to a minimum, as not to interfere with DJ Muggs' involvement in the group, but has produced several tracks for his own solo projects. B-Real also manages a team of music producers known as the "Audio Hustlaz." B-Real personally produced three tracks on his solo album ''Smoke N Mirrors'', 'Don't Ya Dare Laugh', 'Fire' and 'Dr. Hyphenstein', looking to outside producers for the other tracks. B-Real and his production crew will be working alongside DJ Muggs and others on the upcoming Cypress Hill album.

Solo projects

B-Real has released three mixtapes as a solo artist "Gunslinger", "Gunslinger Vol. II" and "Gunslinger Vol. III". He released his first solo album, entitled ''Smoke N Mirrors'' and has teamed up with Snoop Dogg in a single called Vato for Snoop Dogg's album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment.

Discography

Solo

2009: ''Smoke N Mirrors''

Mixtapes

2005: ''The Gunslinger''

2006: ''The Gunslinger Part II: Fist Full of Dollars''

2007: ''The Gunslinger Part III: For a Few Dollars More''

2010: ''The Harvest Vol. 1: The Mixtape''

Collaborations

Throughout his career, B-Real has had an extensive list of collaborations including Kottonmouth Kings, Beastie Boys, Snoop Dogg, Psycho Realm, Eminem, Ice Cube, DJ Quik, Pearl Jam, Chino XL, Dr. Dre, Apathy, Mike Shinoda, Malverde, Fear Factory, Nas, KRS One, Adil Omar, Xzibit, Young De, RBX, LL Cool J, Warren G, Busta Rhymes, Tony Touch, Kool G Rap, Big Pun, OutKast, Prozak, Nina Sky, Fat Joe, Method Man & Redman, RZA, Kurupt, D12, Proof, Everlast, House of Pain, Ill Bill, La Coka Nostra, Deftones, MC Ren, King T, Sonic Youth, Funkdoobiest, Bitza and many more.

Guest appearances

Year	Song	Artist	Album
	"Ain't Got No Class"
	"Put Your Head Out"
	"East Coast/West Coast Killas"
	"Splitt (Comin' Out Swingin')"
	"Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem)"		align="center"
	"Xplosion"
"Deadly Assassins"	align="center"
"End of the World"	align="center"
	"Back The Fuck Up"		align="center"
"Peer Pressure"
	"911"
	"American Psycho II"
	"High Rollers"	align="center"
"Roll Up"	align="center"
"Back Again"		align="center"
	"A to the K"		align="center"
"Pain Gang"
	"I’m An American"
"Fuck Tony Montana"
"How Hi Can U Get"	align="center"
	"Go Loco"

References

External links

Official Website

Category:1970 births Category:Living people Category:American entertainers of Cuban descent Category:American rappers of Mexican descent Category:Hispanic and Latino American rappers Category:Rap rock musicians Category:People from South Gate, California Category:Rappers from California Category:West Coast hip hop musicians Category:Bloods Category:Cypress Hill members

bg:Би-Риъл cs:B-real da:B-Real de:B-Real es:B-Real fr:B-Real hr:B-Real it:B-Real nl:B-Real no:B-Real pl:B-Real pt:B-Real ru:B-Real fi:B-Real sv:B-Real tr:B-Real

name	Luther Vandross
background	solo_singer
birth name	Luther Ronzoni Vandross
born	April 20, 1951Manhattan, New York, United States
died	July 01, 2005Edison, New Jersey, United States
genre	R&B;, soul, soft rock
occupation	Singer-songwriter, record producer
voice type(s)	Lyric Tenor
years active	1968–2005
label	Cotillion, Epic, Virgin, J, Legacy
associated acts	Change, Chic, Dionne Warwick, Richard Marx, Whitney Houston
website	}}

Luther Ronzoni Vandross (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five 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.

Biography

1951–1979: Early life and career

Luther Ronzoni Vandross was born on April 20, 1951 at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, New York City, United States. He was the fourth child and second son to Mary Ida Vandross and Luther Vandross, Sr.

Born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York City in the Alfred E. Smith Houses public housing development, Vandross began playing the piano at the age of three. He grew up in a musical family that moved to the Bronx when he was thirteen. His sister, Patricia Van Dross, sang with the vocal group The Crests, who had a number two hit in 1958 with "16 Candles (song)", though she left the group before the recording. Vandross's father died of diabetes when Vandross was eight years old. Luther Vandross was in a high school group, Shades of Jade, that once played at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. He was also a member of a theater workshop, "Listen My Brother" who released the singles "Only Love Can Make a Better World" and "Listen My Brother", and appeared on the second and fifth episodes of ''Sesame Street'' in November 1969.

Vandross attended Western Michigan University for a year before dropping out to continue pursuing a career in music.

His next hit credit was on an album by Roberta Flack in 1972. He was the founder of the first-ever Patti LaBelle fan club. Luther also sang on Delores Hall's Hall-Mark album from 1973. He sang with her on the song "Who's Gonna Make It Easier for Me", which he wrote. He also contributed another song, "In This Lonely Hour." Having co-written "Fascination" for David Bowie's ''Young Americans'', he went on to tour with him as a back-up vocalist in September 1974. Vandross wrote "Everybody Rejoice" for the 1975 Broadway musical ''The Wiz'' and appeared as a choir member in the movie.

Vandross also sang backing vocals for Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Gary Glitter, Carly Simon, Chaka Khan, Todd Rundgren's Utopia, Donna Summer, Bette Midler, Chic, Barbra Streisand, and David Bowie.

Before his breakthrough, Vandross was part of a singing quintet in the late '70s named Luther, consisting of former Shades of Jade members Anthony Hinton and Diane Sumler, Theresa V. Reed, and Christine Wiltshire, signed to Cotillion Records. Although the singles "It's Good for the Soul", "Funky Music (Is a Part of Me)", and "The Second Time Around" were relatively successful, their two albums, the self-titled ''Luther'' (1976) and ''This Close to You'' (1977), didn't sell enough to make the charts. Vandross bought back the rights to these albums after Cotillion dropped the group, preventing their later re-release.

Vandross also wrote and sang commercial jingles during the late 1970s and early 1980s, and continued his successful career as a popular session singer during the late 1970s.

Luther also sang lead vocals for a disco band called Greg Diamond's Bionic Boogie on the song titled "Hot Butterfly." Luther also sang with the band Soirée, where he was the lead vocalist on the track "You Are the Sunshine of My Life", and contributed background vocals to the album along with Jocelyn Brown and Sharon Redd, each of whom also saw solo success. He also sang the lead vocals on the group Mascara LP title song "See You in L.A." released in 1979. Luther shines with his impeccable singing supported by his group's co-members David Lalsey and Ula Hedwig.

1980–2003: Career success

Luther Vandross finally made his long desired career breakthrough as a featured singer with the vaunted pop-dance act Change, a studio concept created by French-Italian businessman Jacques Fred Petrus. Their 1980 hits, "A Lover's Holiday" (by Romani and Willoughby), "The Glow of Love" (by Romani, Malavasi and Garfield) and "Searching" (by Malavasi), of which Vandross sang on all three, opened up the world for Vandross. And there was no doubt about whether Vandross liked the song "The Glow of Love". In an interview that Vibe Magazine did with him in 2001 Vandross said, ''"This is the most beautiful song I've ever sung in my life."'' Vandross was also originally intended to perform on the second and highly successful Change album "Miracles" in 1981, but declined the offer as Petrus didn't pay enough money. Vandross' decision rapidly led to a recording contract with Epic Records that same year but didn't stop him from doing some background vocals on "Miracles" and on the new Petrus created act, The B. B. & Q. band in 1981. During that hectic year Vandross jump-started his second attempt at a solo career with his debut album, ''Never Too Much''. In addition to the hit title track it contained a version of the Burt Bacharach / Hal David song "A House Is Not a Home". The song "Never Too Much", written by himself, reached number-one on the R&B; charts. This period also marked the beginning of frequent songwriting collaboration with bassist Marcus Miller, who played on many of the tracks and would also produce or co-produce a number of tracks for Vandross. The ''Never Too Much'' album was arranged by high school classmate Nat Adderley, Jr., a collaboration that would last through Vandross's career.

Vandross released a series of successful R&B; albums during the 1980s and continued his session work with guest vocals on groups like Charme in 1982. Many of his earlier albums made a bigger impact on the R&B; charts than on the pop charts. During the 1980s, Vandross had two singles that reached #1 on the Billboard R&B; charts: "Stop to Love", in 1986, and a duet with Gregory Hines—"There's Nothing Better Than Love." Vandross was at the helm as producer for Aretha Franklin's Gold-certified, award-winning comeback album ''Jump to It''. He also produced the disappointing follow-up album, 1983's ''Get It Right''. In 1983, the opportunity to work with his main music influence, Dionne Warwick, came about with Vandross producing, writing songs, and singing on ''How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye'', her fourth album for Arista Records. The title track duet reached #27 on the Hot 100 chart (#7 R&B;/#4 Adult Contemporary), while the second single, "Got a Date" was only a moderate hit (#45 R&B;/#15 Club Play).

In 1985, Luther Vandross first spotted the talent of Jimmy Salvemini, 15 at the time, on ''Star Search''. He thought Salvemini had the perfect voice for some of his songs. He contacted Salvemini, who was managed by his brother Larry. A contract was negotiated with Elektra records for $250,000 and Luther agreed to produce the album. Luther even contacted old friends to appear on the album, Cheryl Lynn, Alfa Anderson (Chic), Phoebe Snow and Irene Cara. After the album was completed, Luther, Jimmy, and Larry decided to celebrate. On January 12, 1986, they were riding in Luther's convertible Mercedes when it crossed the yellow lines of the two lane street and smashed into two vehicles. All three men were rushed to the hospital. Larry Salvemini died during surgery, and Vandross and Jimmy Salvemini survived. At first, the Salvemini family was supportive of Luther. In 1986, Luther faced vehicular manslaughter charges as a result of Larry's death. Vandross pled no contest to reckless driving. The Salvemini family filed a wrongful death suit against Vandross. The case was quietly settled out of court with a payment to the Salvemini family for $700,000. The album called "Roll With It" was released later that year.

In 1986, Vandross voiced a cartoon character named Zack for three Saturday morning animated PSA spots for ABC Television called 'Zack of All Trades'.

The 1989 compilation ''The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love'' included the ballad "Here and Now", his first single to chart in the Billboard pop chart top ten, peaking at number six. He won his first Grammy award for Best Male R&B; Vocal Performance in 1991.

More albums followed in the 1990s, beginning with 1991's ''Power of Love'' which spawned two top ten pop hits. He won his second Best Male R&B; Vocal in the Grammy Awards of 1992 with the track "Power of Love/Love Power" winning the Grammy Award for Best R&B; Song in the same year. In 1992, "The Best Things in Life Are Free", a duet with Janet Jackson from the movie ''Mo' Money'' became a hit.

In 1993, Vandross had a brief non-speaking role in the Robert Townsend movie ''The Meteor Man''. He played a hit man who plotted to stop Townsend's title character.

Vandross hit the top ten again in 1994 with Mariah Carey, doing a cover version of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross's duet "Endless Love". He also appears on Frank Sinatra's posthumous ''Duets'' album. In the Grammy Awards of 1997, he won his third Best Male R&B; Vocal for the track "Your Secret Love". A second greatest hits album, released in 1997, compiled most of his 1990s hits and was his final album released through Epic Records. After releasing ''I Know'' on Virgin Records, he signed with J Records. His first album on Clive Davis's new label, entitled ''Luther Vandross'', was released in 2001, and it produced the hits "Take You Out" (#7 R&B;/#26 Pop), and "I'd Rather" (#17 Adult Contemporary/#40 R&B;/#83 Pop) Vandross scored at least one top 10 R&B; hit every year from 1981-1994.

In 1997, Luther Vandross sang the American national anthem during Super Bowl XXXI at the Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana.

In September 2001, Luther Vandross performed a rendition of Michael Jackson's hit song "Man in the Mirror" at Jackson's 30th Anniversary special, alongside Usher.

In 2002, he gave some of his final concerts during his last tour, The BK Got Soul Tour starring Luther Vandross featuring Angie Stone and Gerald Levert.

In 2003, Vandross released the album ''Dance With My Father''. The title track, which was dedicated to Vandross' memory childhood dances with his father, won Luther and his co-writer, Richard Marx, the 2004 Grammy Award for ''Song of the Year''. The song also won Vandross his fourth and final award in the Best Male R&B; Vocal Performance category. The album was his first to reach number one on the Billboard album chart. The video for the title track features various celebrities alongside their fathers and other family members. The 2nd single released from that album, "Think About You" was the Number One Urban Adult Contemporary Song of 2004 according to Radio & Records.

In 2003, after the televised NCAA Men's Basketball championship, CBS Sports gave "One Shining Moment" a new look. Luther, who had been to only one basketball game in his life, was the new singer, and the video didn't have any special effects like glowing basketballs and star trails like it did in previous years. This song version is in use today.

2003–2005: Illness and death

Vandross suffered from diabetes and hypertension, both of which ran in his family.

On April 16, 2003, Vandross suffered a stroke at his home in Manhattan, New York. At the time of his stroke, he had just finished the final vocals for the album ''Dance With My Father''. His collaborator on the album was pop star, Richard Marx, whom Vandross had met in 1989 and been friendly with since then. The two worked together on numerous projects over the years, with Vandross appearing on most of Marx's albums. Upon its release, ''Dance With My Father'' became the first and only Luther Vandross record to hit #1. It was also his biggest-selling studio album ever, selling nearly 3 million copies in the United States alone. The title track was also a hit, and won the 2004 Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

He appeared briefly on videotape at the 2004 Grammy Awards to accept his Song of the Year Award, where he said, "Whenever I say goodbye it's never for long because I believe in the power of love". Other than an appearance on ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'', he was never seen in public again.

Vandross died on July 1, 2005 at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey at the age of 54. The apparent cause of his death was a heart attack.

His funeral was in New York City on July 8, 2005. After two days of viewing, Vandross was entombed at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey. Much of his estate was left to friends and his godson Mark West.

Voice Recognition

In 2008, Luther Vandross was ranked #54 on Rolling Stone's Magazine's List of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Tribute

On July 27, 2004, GRP Records released a smooth jazz various artists tribute album, ''Forever, For Always, For Luther'', with ten popular songs written by Luther. The album featured vocal arrangements by Luther, and was produced by Rex Rideout and Bud Harner. Rideout had co-authored songs and contributed arrangements and played keyboards on Luther's final three albums. The tribute album was mixed by Ray Bardani, who recorded and mixed most of Luther's music over the years. It featured an ensemble of smooth jazz performers, many of whom had previously worked with Luther.

In 2000, Whitney Houston sung Vandross' "So Amazing" as a tribute to Vandross as he sat in the audience during a BET Special. Johnny Gill, El Debarge, and Kenny Lattimore provided background vocals.

On September 20, 2005, the album ''So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross'' was released. The album is a collection of some of Luther's songs performed by various artists, including Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Fantasia, Beyoncé Knowles, Donna Summer, Alicia Keys, Elton John, Celine Dion, Wyclef Jean, Babyface, Patti LaBelle, John Legend, Angie Stone, Jamie Foxx, Teddy Pendergrass, Chris Farley and Aretha Franklin. Aretha Franklin won a Grammy for her rendition of "A House Is Not a Home", and Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé won a Grammy for their cover of "So Amazing".

The violin duo Nuttin' But Stringz did a remix of the song "Dance with My Father" for their album ''Struggle from the Subway to the Charts'', which was released on October 3, 2006.

On November 21, 2006, saxophonist Dave Koz released a followup to the earlier smooth jazz GRP tribute album, this time on his own Rendezvous Entertainment label, an album called ''Forever, For Always, For Luther Volume II'', also produced by Rex Rideout and Bud Harner. Dave Koz played on all the featured Luther Vandross tracks, which were recorded by various smooth jazz artists.

In 2007, Deniece Williams included "Never Too Much" on her ''Love, Niecy Style'' CD. Williams said that she recorded the song to say "I love you" to her old friend.

The music video "Bye Bye" from Mariah Carey sees Vandross' picture appear in the closing images. His image was included as a tribute along with various other deceased people with whom Carey had collaborated with.

On ''A Different Me'', Keyshia Cole sings the outro to "Luther Vandross" on "Playa Cardz Right", which features rapper Tupac Shakur.

Guitarist Norman Brown did a rendition of "Any Love" on his 1994 album ''After The Storm''.

R&B; band 112 sampled Vandross' "Don't You Know That" to make their song "Love Me" on their second album ''Room 112''.

Saxophonist Boney James covers his rendition on his final track "The Night I Fell In Love" on ''Backbone'' in 1994.

Author Craig Seymour wrote a book about Vandross called ''Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross''. The book includes numerous interviews with Vandross.

In 2009, Jadakiss sampled Vandross' "Promise Me" to make his song "The Things I've Been Through" on his album, "The Last Kiss".

In 1998, well-known guitarist Peter White covered the Vandross song "Don't Want to Be a Fool", from the album ''Perfect Moment''.

In November 2006, Korean singer K included a cover of the Vandross song "Every Year, Every Christmas" on his Christmas single, ファースト・クリスマス ("First Christmas"), released in Japan. It was also later added to his tribute album, ''The Timeless Collection Vol. 1''.

Tribute artists include FiL Straughan, a singer based in London and New York, and Harry Cambridge.

In 2010, NPR included Vandross in its 50 Greatest Voices in recorded history, saying Vandross represents "the platinum standard for R&B; song stylings." The announcement was made on NPR's ''All Things Considered'' on November 29, 2010.

In late 2010, rapper Battman D.E. GannaBanna sampled Vandross' "Make Me A Believer" for his song "Wanna Luv U" on his debut album ''The World Is A MothaF**kin' Ghetto''.

Hip-hop duo Young Gunz sampled featuring Rell sampled Vandross' "Better Love" to the make the song "No Better Love" on their 2004 Roc-A-Fella Records debut album, ''Tough Luv''.

Jacob Lusk performed "Dance With My Father" on ''American Idol'' season 10 as a tribute to his late father Gregory Lusk and as a tribute to Vandross on April 20, 2011.

New releases

J Records released a song "Shine"—an upbeat R&B; track that samples Chic's disco song "My Forbidden Lover"—reaching #31 on the R&B; chart. A later remix peaked at #10 on the Club Play chart. "Shine" and a track entitled "Got You Home" are previously unreleased songs on ''The Ultimate Luther Vandross'', a greatest hits album on Epic Records/J Records/Legacy Recordings that was released August 22, 2006.

On October 16, 2007, Epic Records/J Records/Legacy Recordings released a 4 disc box set entitled ''Love, Luther''. It features all of Vandross' R&B; and pop hits throughout his career. The set also includes "There's Only You", a version of which had originally appeared on the soundtrack to the 1987 film ''Made in Heaven''.

Discography

Awards

{| class=wikitable |- | colspan=5 align=center | Grammy Award history |- ! Year ! Category ! Title ! Field ! Result |- align=center | rowspan="2"| 1982 | Best New Artist | — | General | |- align=center | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | ''Never Too Much'' | R&B; | |- align=center | 1983 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | ''Forever, For Always, For Love'' | R&B; | |- align=center | 1986 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | ''The Night I Fell in Love'' | R&B; | |- align=center | rowspan="2"| 1987 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | "Give Me the Reason" | R&B; | |- align=center | Best R&B; Song | "Give Me the Reason" (shared with Nat Adderley, Jr.) | R&B; | |- align=center | rowspan="2"| 1989 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | ''Any Love'' | R&B; | |- align=center | Best R&B; Song | "Any Love"(shared with Marcus Miller) | R&B; | |- align=center | 1990 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | "She Won't Talk to Me" | R&B; | |- align=center | 1991 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | "Here and Now" | R&B; | |- align=center | rowspan="3"| 1992 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | ''Power of Love'' | R&B; | |- align=center | Best R&B; Song | "Power of Love/Love Power" (shared with Marcus Miller & Teddy Vann) | R&B; | |- align=center | Best R&B; Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group | "Doctor's Orders" (shared with Aretha Franklin) | R&B; | |- align=center | 1993 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group | "The Best Things in Life Are Free" (shared with Janet Jackson) | R&B; | |- align=center | 1994 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | "How Deep Is Your Love" | R&B; | |- align=center | rowspan="4"| 1995 | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male | "Love the One You're With" | Pop | |- align=center | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals | "Endless Love" (shared with Mariah Carey) | Pop | |- align=center | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | "Always and Forever" | R&B; | |- align=center | Best R&B; Album | ''Songs'' | R&B; | |- align=center | rowspan="2"| 1997 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | "Your Secret Love" | R&B; | |- align=center | Best R&B; Song | "Your Secret Love" (shared with Reed Vertelney) | R&B; | |- align=center | 1998 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | "When You Call On Me / Baby That's When I Come Runnin'" | R&B; | |- align=center | 1999 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | "I Know" | R&B; | |- align=center | 1999 | Best Traditional R&B; Vocal Performance | ''I Know'' | R&B; | |- align=center | 2003 | Best Traditional R&B; Vocal Performance | "Any Day Now" | R&B; | |- align=center | rowspan="5"| 2004 | Song of the Year | "Dance with My Father" (shared with Richard Marx) | General | |- align=center | Best R&B; Album | ''Dance with My Father'' | R&B; | |- align=center | Best R&B; Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group | "The Closer I Get to You" (shared with Beyoncé) | R&B; | |- align=center | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | "Dance with My Father" | R&B; | |- align=center | Best R&B; Song | "Dance with My Father" (shared with Richard Marx) | R&B; | |- align=center | 2007 | Best R&B; Vocal Performance - Male | "Got You Home" | R&B; | |- align=center |}

See also

Luther Burger

Craig Seymour

Notes

References

Vandross, Luther. ''The Best of Luther Vandross: The Best of Love'', Hal Leonard Corporation, 1990 - ISBN 0-7935-0291-8

External links

Official site

Remembering Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross at Find A Grave

Category:1951 births Category:2005 deaths Category:African American singer-songwriters Category:American crooners Category:American male singers Category:African American male singers Category:African American singers Category:American record producers Category:American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters Category:American soul singers Category:Chic (band) members Category:Disease-related deaths in New Jersey Category:English-language singers Category:Grammy Award winners Category:J Records artists Category:Musicians from New York City Category:People from Manhattan

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