Luther Vandross: Superstar

I first met Luther Vandross at the Apollo Theater. He had lied and said he was our designer to realize backstage to meet us. I was with the Bluebelles then. He came up pretending he had clothes for us. I cogitation anybody with this much imagination merits to be our little friend. After that, we would invite him to all our displays I was still thinking he was a designer. I set out later that he could sing his face off

Luther was a actual caring and humorous individual. He would always play tricks upon people. But he also was a perfectionist, especially about his music. He was true particular about the way his music came without Luther died of complications from a 2003 blow July 1 in Edison, NJ at the age of 54

There aren't too many sides of Luther that nation didn't see. He was outgoing. He would say whatever was upon his mind, whether in someone or in his performances. I think we were true much alike in that way.

Luther would have his big days and his little days. I liked the big Luther and told him to stop that yoyo dieting. on the other hand he said, "I have a private room that would work for any man I want to be." He had in the way that many beautiful, beautiful things. He not ever half-stepped. He always looked fierce.

There will not ever be another Luther Vandross. He was the best singer in the world. Nobody has a voice like that. He's going to be missed by means of the world. Totally missed. He left the planet too soon

- Patti LaBelle, R&B singer, as told to Lottie L Joiner

Copyright Crisis Publishing Company, Incorporated Sep/Oct 2005

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