He continued to have several songs that made the charts and kept him in the public consciousness. Vandross spent much of the 90’s touring successfully and thrilling audiences with his multitude of hits and concert favorites. During this period, Vandross was lending his talent as a songwriter and backup singer to such stars as Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, and BeBe & CeCe Winans. By now, Luther was becoming a nationwide household name even though most in the black community had recognized his talents years before. This song also secured Vandross his first Grammy award. He continued to follow-up with hit albums and he had number one R&B chart toppers with the songs “Give Me the Reason” in 1986 and “Any Love” in 1988.Īlthough many of his other songs were very popular on the R&B charts and did reach the pop charts, it wasn’t until he released “Here and Now” in 1989 did he have his first Top Ten pop hit. Luther continued to show his mastery of remaking past hits and putting his own touches on them with the song, “Superstar/Until You Come Back To Me,” in 1983, which had been a hit for the Carpenters. In 1982, his second album spawned the catchy “Bad Boy/Having A Party.” His version of this song is now a classic and was one of the most demanded songs at his live concert performances. The album spawned another hit, the up-tempo and beautifully orchestrated song of the same name as the album, “Never Too Much.” But it was on the Burt Bacharach penned “A House Is Not A Home,” from the debut album that Vandross really displayed his vocal range and talents at riffing and toying with the notes of the song. It was the success of his work with the group Change that he signed a record deal and produced his debut solo album, “Never Too Much” in 1981. Two of his top hits while a member of the group were “The Glow of Love” and “Searching.” On both of these songs, he gave the listening audience an early taste of things to come. He made his mark on the musical scene with the duties as lead singer of the studio group, Change, in the early 80’s. His early career began with performances doing commercials jingles and backup work for other singers. His songs were also known for their romantic themes and were popular as the ideal tunes to set a romantic mood. The vocal stylings that he displayed on numerous hit songs allowed him to display his smooth tenor voice and demonstrate his ability to take any song and apply his distinctive signature to it.
However, the legacy he left behind will resonate for generations to come. He never fully recovered from being stricken by a stroke in 2003 and his death closed the chapter on one of the most dynamic performers that the world had known. The world lost one of its most talented singers and songwriters when Luther Vandross passed away in 2005.