Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross

Born: April 20, 1951
Died: July 1, 2005
in New York City, New York, USA
Designated the "heartbeat" of R&B during the 1980s and 1990s, Luther Vandross led a productive singing and song writing life.

At age 30, he finally recorded his first solo album with the No. 1 R&B and "Top 20" pop chart maker, "Never Too Much". He continued steadily with such albums as "Forever, for Always, for Love" in 1982 and "Give Me the Reasons" (1986), but it wasn't until 1989 that he had his first "Top 10" single with "Here and Now" (No. 6), which finally placed him securely on the love song pedestal. Such other No. 1 R&B singles would include "Stop to Love", "There's Nothing Better than Love" and "Any Love".

The 1990s seemed, career-wise, stronger than ever again with a Top 40 hit duetting with Mariah Carey in 1994 on "My Endless Love" and the release of his No. 1 R&B signature version of "Always and Forever" (1994).

On camera film and TV acting appearances include a cameo in Robert Townsend's motion picture The Meteor Man (1993) and episodes of "Beverly HIlls 90210 (as himself) and "Touched by an Angel." A documentary, Luther Vandross: Always and Forever (1994), is also available. Throughout his career, Luther continued to write and produce for other artists including Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Teddy Pendergrass, Cheryl Lynn and Aretha Franklin. Following his massive April 2003 stroke, he made a phantom return to the spotlight with the release of his 2003 CD "Dance With My Father", which was recorded prior to his illness. At the awards show, the absent Luther was rewarded with four Grammys, including song of the year. The success also gave him his first No. 1 album on the pop chart and four NAACP Image Awards.

The beloved 54-year-old musician died at JFK Medical Centre in Edison, New Jersey, of his lingering complications and was survived by his Evangelist mother, Mary Ida Vandross, who was instrumental in promoting her son's last work to Grammy glory following his severe debilitation.

Movies for Luther Vandross...

Luther: Never Too Much
Title: Luther: Never Too Much
Character: Self
Released: January 24, 2024
Type: Movie
Luther Vandross started his career supporting David Bowie, Roberta Flack, Bette Midler, and more. His undeniable talent earned platinum records and accolades, but he struggled to break out beyond the R&B charts. Intensely driven, he overcame personal and professional challenges to secure his place amongst the greatest vocalists in history.
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…Sings Musicals
Title: …Sings Musicals
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 15, 2012
Type: Movie
BBC archive performances from musicals, including Ella Fitzgerald singing Mack the Knife, Captain Sensible performing a classic from South Pacific and Jay Z taking on Annie.
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Marcus Miller - Master Of All Trades
Title: Marcus Miller - Master Of All Trades
Character: Self
Released: November 12, 2006
Type: Movie
A 2hr concert shot at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood in 2006. A truly unique musical event/biopic from the Grammy Award winning producer and musician.
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Luther Vandross: Always And Forever - An Evening Of Songs
Title: Luther Vandross: Always And Forever - An Evening Of Songs
Character: Himself
Released: August 29, 2005
Type: Movie
An evening of songs with Luther Vandross performing live at the Royal Albert Hall in 1994 and 1995.
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The 7th Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest
Title: The 7th Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest
Character: Self
Released: December 4, 2004
Type: Movie
An extremely unique celebration of Christmas for the young and hip and the young at heart.
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Funky Dance Grooves
Title: Funky Dance Grooves
Released: June 30, 2004
Type: Movie
Video compilation of funk, dance and soul tracks.
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The Making and Meaning of 'We Are Family'
Title: The Making and Meaning of 'We Are Family'
Character: Self
Released: January 9, 2002
Type: Movie
Featuring inverviews from: Afrika Bambaataa, Ashford & Simpson, Jackson Browne, Kim Burell, Taylor Dayne, Carmen Electra, Faith Evans, Roberta Flack, Joel Gray, Kc & the Sunshine Band, Eartha Kitt, Patti Labelle, Queen Latifah and more?
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Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
Title: Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
Character: Self
Released: November 13, 2001
Type: Movie
The Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special was a 2001 New York City revue show by Michael Jackson. It took place on September 7, 2001 and September 10, 2001. In late November 2001, the CBS television network aired the concerts as a two-hour special in honour of Michael Jackson's thirtieth year as a solo entertainer (his first solo single, "Got to Be There", was recorded in 1971). The show was edited from footage of two separate concerts Michael had orchestrated in New York City's Madison Square Garden on September 7 and September 10 of 2001. The shows sold out in five hours. Ticket prices were pop's most expensive ever; the best seats cost $5,000 and included a dinner with Michael Jackson and a signed poster.
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Intimate Portrait: Natalie Cole
Title: Intimate Portrait: Natalie Cole
Released: January 8, 1999
Type: Movie
One hour television documentary about the life and career of singer Natalie Cole which originally aired on Lifetime Television in 1998. Includes interviews with Natale Cole, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Phil Ramone, David Foster, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Maria Cole, Dan Cleary and narrated by Patrick Stewart.
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Title: Hollywood Squares
Character: Self - Panelist
Released: September 14, 1998
Type: TV
On September 14, 1998, a Hollywood Squares revival debuted with Tom Bergeron as its host. In addition to her production duties, Whoopi Goldberg served as the permanent center square, with series head writer Bruce Vilanch, Gilbert Gottfried, Martin Mull, and Caroline Rhea as regular panelists and Brad Garrett, Bobcat Goldthwait, Jeffrey Tambor, George Wallace, Kathy Griffin and various others as semi-regular panelists. Shadoe Stevens returned to announce, although he was not given a square on the panel as he had been when John Davidson was host.
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Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night
Title: Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night
Character: Self
Released: April 15, 1998
Type: Movie
One Amazing Night is a 1998 live tribute show performed by artists such as Dionne Warwick, Elvis Costello, Luther Vandross, Sheryl Crow and others to honor the music of Burt Bacharach. It was recorded live at the Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City with Bacharach himself conducting the orchestra and playing the piano.
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Motown 40: The Music is Forever
Title: Motown 40: The Music is Forever
Character: Self
Released: February 15, 1998
Type: Movie
Archival music performances and contemporary interviews cover some of the history of Motown Records and Productions.
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An Audience with the Spice Girls
Title: An Audience with the Spice Girls
Character: Self
Released: November 29, 1997
Type: Movie
The Spice Girls perform in front of a celebrity, and predominantly female audience, as well as answering questions about their lives and their rise to stardom.
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Title: The Rosie O'Donnell Show
Character: Self - Guest
Released: June 10, 1996
Type: TV
The Rosie O'Donnell Show was an American daytime television talk show hosted and produced by actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell. It aired for six seasons from 1996 to 2002. Topics often discussed on the show include Broadway, children, extended families and charitable works, people and organizations. The show was based out of Studio 8G at NBC's Rockefeller Center studios in New York City, NY, USA and was produced and syndicated by KidRo Productions, Telepictures Productions and Warner Bros. Television.
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The History of Rock 'n' Roll
Title: The History of Rock 'n' Roll
Character: Self
Released: March 6, 1995
Type: Movie
The history of rock n' roll and pop music are explored are explored via interviews and footage of well-known music stars.
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Title: New York Undercover
Released: September 8, 1994
Type: TV
New York Undercover is an American police drama The series stars Detective J.C. Williams and Detective Eddie Torres, two undercover detectives in New York City's Fourth Precinct who were assigned to investigate various crimes and gang-related cases.
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Fertile La Toyah Video Magazine #2: The Kinky Issue!
Title: Fertile La Toyah Video Magazine #2: The Kinky Issue!
Released: January 1, 1994
Type: Movie
Prostrate probing interviews! Live action murder! Naked people! Tired death-rockers! And more! Much more!!
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The Meteor Man
Title: The Meteor Man
Character: Jamison
Released: August 6, 1993
Type: Movie
One night Jefferson Reed gets hit in the chest by a souped-up chunk of meteor. So he can fly, but he's scared of heights. He can master the information in any book ... for about thirty seconds. Now his friends and family want him to protect their community from the dreaded Golden Lords.
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Title: Out All Night
Character: Self
Released: September 19, 1992
Type: TV
Out All Night is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 19, 1992 to July 9, 1993 for one season. The series stars Patti LaBelle, and was created by Andy Borowitz, Susan Borowitz, and Rob Edwards.
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Voices That Care
Title: Voices That Care
Character: Self - Choir Member
Released: February 28, 1991
Type: Movie
Behind the scenes making of the charity single "Voices That Care".
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Title: Beverly Hills, 90210
Released: October 4, 1990
Type: TV
Follow the lives of a group of teenagers living in the upscale, star-studded community of Beverly Hills, California and attending the fictitious West Beverly Hills High School and, subsequently, the fictitious California University after graduation.
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Night of 100 Stars III
Title: Night of 100 Stars III
Character: Self
Released: May 21, 1990
Type: Movie
A celebrity benefit for The Actors' Fund of America, featuring music, songs, dance and comedy.
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Title: Geld oder Liebe
Character: Self
Released: September 28, 1989
Type: TV
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Luther Vandross: Live at Wembley
Title: Luther Vandross: Live at Wembley
Released: January 1, 1988
Type: Movie
Music & Musicals, Contemporary R&B, Urban & Dance - Grammy-winning R & B artist Luther Vandross shines on hits such as "A House Is Not a Home" and "For You to Love" in this memorable collection of performances, recorded live at London's Wembley Arena as part of his 1988-89 tour. Other set list selections include "Give Me the Reason," "She Won't Talk to Me," "Love Won't Let Me Wait," "Never Too Much," "Superstar," "Stop to Love," "Searching," "Any Love" and "Come Back."
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Title: 227
Released: September 14, 1985
Type: TV
A housewife sits on the stoop of her apartment building in a black neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and discusses all manner of things with her neighbors.
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Title: An Audience with...
Character: Self
Released: January 8, 1978
Type: TV
An Audience with... is a British entertainment television show produced by London Weekend Television, in which a host, usually a singer or comedian, performs for an invited audience of celebrity guests, interspersed with questions from the audience, in a light hearted revue/tribute style.
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Title: Saturday Night Live
Character: Self - Musical Guest
Released: October 11, 1975
Type: TV
A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.
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Title: The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Character: Self
Released: October 1, 1962
Type: TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.