LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Grammy-winning soul singer and songwriter Luther Vandross, who suffered a serious stroke two years ago as he was about to relaunch his career, died on Friday in a New Jersey hospital, officials said. He was 54.
"Luther Vandross had a peaceful passing under the watchful eye of friends, family and the medical support team," said Rob Cavanaugh, a spokesman at JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey.
BREAKTHROUGH WITH BOWIE
Vandross, born in a housing project in New York City, started out singing jingles and working as a backup singer for Bowie, Bette Midler and Carly Simon.
He was hanging out at the Philadelphia studio where Bowie was recording tracks for what would become his 1975 "Young Americans" album. The British rocker overheard Vandross improvising the line, "I heard the news today, oh boy" in the chorus of the title track, and pulled him into the vocal booth to join the backup singers.
At the urging of Roberta Flack, he took his savings and recorded the demos for what would be his first solo album, 1981's "Never Too Much." He signed with Epic Records ~ only after insisting that he produce his material -- and the album became the first of a chain of million-sellers.
Oh I am going to miss that good looking, big hearted, talented man! It has just been sad...so this can just add to it...Luther I really am going to miss you!