While still in high school, Vandross formed a singing group, which became quite successful locally and even played once at the famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem. During his early years, Vandross began setting himself up for success in the entertainment business. He made his first recording in 1969 on a Quincy Jones album, Best. The year he also produced his first album, Soul Christmas. Around that same time Vandross also appeared on the first episode of Sesame Street.

Throughout the early 1970s Luther sang backup for major acts including Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Carly Simon, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, and Barbra Streisand. It was Flack who pushed Luther to record an album of his own. She felt that he deserved credit for his amazing talent as a singer, songwriter, and producer.

Before branching out on his own, Vandross formed a singing group and recorded an album titled Luther. The group had one hit, "It’s Good for the Soul," but for the most part the group went widely unnoticed. During that time Luther wrote and sang jingles for well known advertising campaigns. He was very successful in this business and made upwards of $600,000 per year from his jingles. Some of the campaigns he worked on were Kentucky Fried Chicken’s "We Do Chicken Right," and the U.S. Army’s "Be All You Can Be."

Luther’s first solo album was in 1981 and was produced by Epic Records. Titled Never too Much, the album was a success that skyrocketed to double platinum. After that breakthrough album, Vandross quickly became a huge success with his subsequent albums.

Many rumors frequently circulated around Luther’s sexuality. Vandross never publicly admitted to being homosexual and also made all of his employees sign confidentiality agreements so they could never discuss his sexuality to the public either. After Luther’s death, close friends publicly admitted that Luther was an oppressed gay man during his life.

Luther was a long time sufferer of diabetes and hypertension especially as his weight widely fluctuated, sometimes reaching over three hundred pounds. In April of 2003, Luther suffered from a massive stroke at his home in Manhattan, which may have been caused by his diabetes. After the stroke, Luther was never seen in public again. The last glimpse anyone saw of Luther was on videotape at the 2004 Grammys where he accepted his Song of the Year award.

Vandross died at the age of fifty-four on July 1, 2005, in New Jersey. The actual cause of death remains unknown but doctors say that Luther never fully recovered from his stroke. On July 2, Luther had been scheduled to perform at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, which would have been his first public performance in years. His funeral was held on July 8, in New York City. After the funeral, Luther’s body was buried in New Jersey in the George Washington Memorial Park.

Vandross has influenced many young successful musicians today. Artists like Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Usher, and Brandy have all found inspiration from Luther’s voice. Luther’s songs have also been quite popular on the show American Idol. Countless contestants since the show originally aired have sung covers of some of Luther’s more famous songs like, "Dance with My Father" and "A House is Not a Home."

YUDDY